Cyrus the Great
A Persian shepherd boy ends up freeing the Jews, conquering Babylon, and inventing human rights. Nobody saw it coming.
Alexander the Great
By age 32 he's conquered most of the known world and reportedly cried because there was nothing left to conquer.
Augustus Becomes Emperor
Caesar's quiet 18-year-old nephew somehow outplays everyone, ends 100 years of civil war, and quietly turns Rome into an empire.
Marcus Aurelius, Philosopher King
A Roman emperor writes a private journal about being a better person while fighting a 14-year war on the frontier. Still a bestseller.
Charlemagne is Crowned
On Christmas Day, the Pope drops a crown on a Frankish king's head and declares the Roman Empire is back. Charlemagne pretends to be surprised.
Alfred the Great
An English king on the run from the Vikings hides in a swamp, regroups, and ends up the only English ruler called 'the Great.'
Peter the Great
A 6'8 Russian tsar travels Europe undercover, learns shipbuilding, comes home, shaves all the boyars' beards by force, and builds St. Petersburg in a swamp.
Catherine the Great
A German princess marries the wrong tsar, has him deposed (and possibly killed), then rules Russia for 34 years and almost doubles its size.
Napoleon's Rise
A short Corsican gunner artillery officer climbs from nothing to Emperor of France in ten years. Then conquers most of Europe to celebrate.
Lincoln is Elected
An anti-slavery lawyer from Illinois wins the presidency and seven Southern states immediately walk out. The Union starts to break.
Mandela Walks Free
After 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela walks out of Victor Verster prison and into history. Four years later he's President of South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What stories are in the Great Leaders collection?
The Great Leaders collection includes 11 stories: Cyrus the Great, Alexander the Great, Augustus Becomes Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, Philosopher King, Charlemagne is Crowned, and 6 more. All available as immersive audio on History Tea.
Can I listen to Great Leaders stories for free?
Yes! All 11 stories in the Great Leaders collection are completely free to listen to on the History Tea app. Download on iOS and start listening today.
What time periods does Great Leaders cover?
The Great Leaders collection spans c. 539 BCE, 336 BCE, 27 BCE, 161 CE and more. Each story is a fresh, cinematic retelling with immersive narration.
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