LIVERIGHT S.P.Q.R: A History of Ancient Rome

All Gud

I started to read this book with a question in mind: "what distinguished the Roman empire from the rest, how did they rise while many others didn't?". On the positive side, the author is clearly super well versed on the topic, and shares an astonishing amount of findings and facts. However, these findings / facts were not presented in an easy to read way. I found the book to be very hard to read as I personally felt there was no coherent story or a natural flow. I also wasn't able to find the answer to my original question. If you read a few hundred books per year and/or are a massive Roman history fan this could make a nice addition, otherwise I'd pass.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. It shapes a new understanding of what the early days of Rome really were like according to actual records and archeology, not the myths we all heard about (while not discarding it completely). It also shapes a new identity of what it meant to be Roman and the history and reality of regular folks living in those days. If you are interested in the ancient world and already know a thing or two about it, this is a book you will enjoy.

great

Arrived ripped

A truly outstanding work. The author tells the tale of Rome from its beginnings to the reign of the emperor Caracalla, choosing to concentrate on what she terms the first Roman millenium. Roman society is described in great detail, what they ate, believed, the living conditions, the rituals, how they fought, the slaves, and so forth. Even for someone who has some knowledge of the period, there are plenty of eye-opening moments. A very readable and engaging book, highly recommended for anyone with an interest in this period.

Reading is not generally my favorite pastime, but I really enjoyed reading this book. Mary Beard takes you behind the popular stories & commonly held understandings of Rome and many of its key characters and events to uncover what is potentially real & what is fiction. Its an illuminating insight into what you thought you knew about ancient Rome from an expert in the field, using here characteristic relaxed style of communication. A must read for anyone with an interest in ancient Rome.