SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome

SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome

Mary Beard

Liveright

As British classicist Mary Beard points out, Rome wasn’t built in a day. The title of her book, “SPQR,” translates into Senate and People of Rome, and refers specifically to the early days of the Roman Republic, which, as Beard points out, began to gestate at the same time as its rival Greek Republic.

This early period, when Rome was ruled as a body politic rather than a lone charismatic leader, has often been glossed over historically in favor of more glamorous version of historical fact. This is where Beard steps in and turns things around. Under her hand, Rome comes to life, revealing an interesting bundle of facts often overlooked by archaeologists and historians.

Rome was not an easy place to live. Yet Beard digs beneath the folklore and popular misconceptions to give her readers a real feel for what its citizens went through in their daily lives.

There have been scores of books written about Ancient Rome, however Beard’s is different in that it focuses mainly on the first millennium of the city.  This allows her to cover a lot of ground and tell readers about the heavy-hitters (Julius Caesar, Hannibal, Spartacus, Nero, Caligula and Caligula just to name a few) of the age while also focusing on the importance of Cicero in creating what would become an empire for the ages.

While it is in no shape or form a light read, Beard’s book delves deeply into the social aspects of Roman society, most notably slavery, judicial power and the role of women. and children.

Completely exhaustive and fascinating, “SPQR” delivers a fresh perspective on the ascension of Rome as a military and political dynasty which sheds new light on the power and glory that would become the infamous Roman Empire.