Audiovisual Walking Tour Guides
MARGARET GEORGE: CIRCUS MAXIMUS
Margaret George writes biographical novels about outsized historical characters: Henry VIII, Mary Queen of Scots, Cleopatra, Mary Magdalene, Helen of Troy, and Elizabeth I. and Emperor Nero. All eight of her novels have been New York Times bestsellers, and the Cleopatra novel was made into an Emmy-nominated ABC-TV miniseries. Her two books on the Roman Emperor Nero have been adapted into a BARDEUM experience for the Circus Maximus in Rome.
Margaret George is a rolling stone who has lived in many places, beginning her traveling at the age of four when her father joined the U.S. diplomatic service and was posted to a consulate in Taiwan. The family traveled on a freighter named after Ulysses’ son Telemachus that took thirty days to reach Taiwan, where they spent two years. Following that they lived in Tel Aviv (and visited other places in the Middle East), Bonn and Berlin (during the spy-and-Cold-War days) before returning to Washington D.C.
Adapted from www.margaretgeorge.com
DON'T JUST SEE THE SITES.
STEP INSIDE THEIR STORIES.
Experience Ancient Rome with Bardeum
"Ancient world goddess Margaret George's gossipy Roman guide takes us on a fun and informative tour so immersive you'll be looking over your shoulder for the emperor and passionately cheering for imaginary chariot teams as the golden dolphins fall to a surprise ending."
Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author of Lily of the Nile & America's First Daughter
Testimonials
“The Charioteer will have you breathing the dust, feeling the marble, hearing the whinny and stamp of horses, and joining the roar of the crowd as if you'd been transported by a time machine.
Download the BARDEUM app for your next trip to Rome!”
Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Huntress, The Rose Code and Empress of Rome Saga
Margaret George takes visitors to the Circus Maximus in Rome back in time to the year 64 AD and the reign of Emperor Nero. On the last day of the festival of Ceres, the stadium is at capacity. The crowd gathers to enjoy the chariot races, but many in attendance are hopeful to see the Emperor who has not been seen much in public since the devastating fire that destroyed two thirds of Rome the previous year. Nero has been rebuilding it at a furious pace, and the Circus was one of his top priorities.
Come, find your seat, and immerse yourself in a day of chariot racing and learn of the real life plot to assassinate the Emperor on this last day of the festival. Our audio / visual self-guided tour of the Circus Maximus - The Charioteer is written by six-time New York Times bestselling author Margaret George (Splendor in the Dark, Confessions of a Young Nero) and narrated by George Blagden (Versailles, Vikings). The experience includes digital reconstructions of the Circus Maximus.
The year is 65 AD and the controversial Emperor Nero has spared no expense to fulfill his promise to the people of Rome. The Circus Maximus has been rebuilt following the great fire and is now the most impressive track ever constructed. While this endears Nero to charioteering fans, discontent grows among the Senators over his frivolous spending.
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Follow along with our intrepid chaperon, Appius Teretina, as he guides you through these true events on the final day of the festival of Ceres. Place bets on your favorite Charioteer team and find out if the Blues, Reds, Whites or the Emperor’s favored Greens, carry the day!
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And, if you’re lucky, the Emperor himself will appear before the final race of the day. You’ll discover that even amongst civil unrest and treasonous plots of murder, the show must go on!
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Learn about the Circus Maximus, chariot racing, and the real-life murderous plot against Emperor Nero as you Step Inside the Story of The Charioteer.
MARGARET GEORGE
AUTHOR
New York Times, Wall Street Journal and London Times bestselling author of eight historical novels.
GEORGE BLAGDEN
NARRATOR
Actor best known for his roles as King Louis XIV in Versailles, the monk Athelstan in Vikings and Grantaire in Les Miserables.