Because I set myself a reading goal to focus on female authors, and I’ve got a side goal in my head to try and branch out and read in different areas, it seemed a no brainer to go with a Mary Beard book. While I took many Classics courses in my undergrad, I’ve not really looked at Classical history since. And given that I love her different shows, I knew I would love her books. For this week’s Book Bite: Emperor of Rome by Mary Beard!
Emperor of Rome: Ruling the Ancient World, Mary Beard
A sweeping account of the social and political world of the Roman emperors by “the world’s most famous classicist” ( Guardian ). In her international bestseller SPQR , Mary Beard told the thousand-year story of ancient Rome. Now she shines her spotlight on the emperors who ruled the Roman empire, from Julius Caesar (assassinated 44 BCE) to Alexander Severus (assassinated 235 CE).
Emperor of Rome is not your usual chronological account of Roman rulers, such as the mad Caligula, the monster Nero, the philosopher Marcus Aurelius. Beard asks bigger questions: What power did emperors actually have? Was the Roman palace really so bloodstained? She tracks down the emperor at home, at the races, on his travels, even on his way to heaven. She introduces his wives and lovers, rivals and slaves, court jesters and soldiers―and the ordinary people who pressed begging letters into his hands.
Why You Should Read This…
As I said, I already enjoy Beard’s work as a presenter, and thought her books were a great place to start. (As for why I picked this book- I requested both this and SPQR from the library, this was available first.) And I have to say, I can see why her books top best-seller lists.
This is such a readable and easy-to-understand book, and it includes lesser-known stories and information. If you are a scholar and your area of study is Roman history, this may not be the best book for you, but I would recommend it to just about everyone else. Beard gives such a fantastic range of interesting stories while providing needed context to all of us. Most Roman Emperors have crazy and extreme stories (to us in the 21st century, at least) but oftentimes it is not quite so in the period. And it is not only the emperors of Rome that we get to know- we also meet their spouses, partners, parents, and more.
I listened to the audiobook and Beard narrated it herself and did a fantastic job with it. In the last year, I’ve decided that history audiobooks read by the author are superior. (If the BBC will pay you to present, you are probably a great narrator, ha!)
Is Emperor of Rome by Mary Beard on your to-read list?
Cheers,
The Historian
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