Listen free for 30 days

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Secret History cover art

The Secret History

Written by: Stephanie Marie Thornton
Narrated by: Patricia Santomasso
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $35.05

Buy Now for $35.05

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

Where Theodora went, trouble followed....

In sixth-century Constantinople, one woman, Theodora, defied every convention and all the odds and rose from common theater tart to empress of a great kingdom - the most powerful woman the Roman Empire would ever know. The woman whose image was later immortalized in glittering mosaic was a scrappy, clever, conniving, flesh-and-blood woman full of sensuality and spirit whose real story is as surprising as any ever told....

After her father dies suddenly, Theodora and her sisters face starvation and a life on the streets. Determined to survive, Theodora makes a living any way she can - first on her back with every man who will have her, then on the stage in a scandalous dramatization of her own invention. When her daring performance grants her a backdoor entry into the halls of power, she seizes the chance to win a wealthy protector - only to face heartbreak and betrayal.

Ever resilient, Theodora rises above such trials and, by a twist of fate, meets her most passionate admirer yet: the emperor's nephew. She thrives as his confidant and courtesan, but many challenges lie ahead. For one day this man will hand her a crown. And all the empire will wonder - is she bold enough, shrewd enough, and strong enough to keep it?

©2013 by Stephanie Thornton (P)2020 by Blackstone Publishing

What listeners say about The Secret History

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    15
  • 4 Stars
    11
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    15
  • 4 Stars
    8
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    14
  • 4 Stars
    9
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A brilliant history reduced to catfighting

I started listening to this, very excited to hear about an incredible and strong woman who helped write a millennium old legal code, and fought for women and religious rights. moreover, a relationship between two people that was incredibly unique to the times, in its strength and equality. I was excited to hear a dramatization of it, but it never happens. A relationship that is an inch deep. little to no mention of her incredible achievements. it never goes beyond catty back biting. This story doesn't celebrate a strong female figure, it undermines her.

There was no mention of Tribonian, or the debates they had over the codex law- the foundation of all western law today, wherein Justinian specifically calls out how his wife was an integral part of its writing. No mention of Theodora and Tribonian writing laws to improve the status of women wishing divorce or increasing the protection for rape victims. While history calls this the Justinian dynasty, after Theodora died, he never passed another piece of major legislation. This was the story of a giant repainted as a speculative cat fight.

But the narration is very good.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

wild exaggerations exhausting

very little is known about this woman so the assumptions and creation of this imaginary character become endless ramblings about the author's umaginary thoughts and made up relationships. it could have been 1000 pages shorter. reads like a soap opera. takes away fro what could have been interesting story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible!

The author is immensely talented in weaving together historical fact and fiction into an absolutely mesmerizing, soul capturing story. The narration is excellent. I will be seeking out more from this author!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting tale

I enjoy historical novels and better based on actual people that lived. It was an enjoyable novel and realistic of this time period. I would listen to a novel by Stephanie Marie Thornton. Narration was well done by Patricia Santomasso.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Kept my interest throughout

A period of ancient history told in a very entertaining way!
I was a little put off by the breathy performance of the narrator but that is a minor critique - overall it was good.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!