pickThis is not a chronological account of the different emperors from Octavian 44 BCE until Alexander Severus death 235 CE. This is a look at what it meant to be an emperor, what where your responsibilities, what recognized a good emperor, how was the household run and all your employees. It also looks at the women close to the emperor like mother and wife. It closes of with a look at how some of the emperors where turned into goods after their death
pickA brilliant history of Ancient Rome. Mary Beard has a mastery of her subject and an engaging writing style that makes this a pleasure to read. I came to this knowing very little so it‘s a lot to absorb and probably more comprehensive that I need (as a casual lay reader). But it‘s accessible as an introduction & would be super rewarding for those who have a particular interest. New material is still coming to light. Essential if you like history.
panFalco was insufferable, especially in the beginning & his interactions with Sosia were disgusting. Real “written by a man” energy.
I enjoyed the delve into the Roman Empire & Britain altho some of the names felt very Mel Brooks/Monty Python.
Helena was a delight & I have to root for the woman who doesn‘t take any man‘s shit.
My feelings about Falco mellowed by the end. I understood him better but I still didn‘t care for him.
pickThis book really goes into detail about Roman life, the eruption and later the work of archeologists to find and restore this chapter of history.
pick109/150 In my opinion, no one writes about Rome and Roman history better than Mary Beard. Informative, enlightening and very detailed. If the reader is looking for a gossipy, lurid book, full of orgies and sadistic violence, then they've come to the wrong place. Beard brings us into the day to day life of the emperors, not always exciting, every day wasn't full of assassinations, palace intrigues and romantic rendezvous. ⬇️⬇️
pickLeonidas the former gladiator is eking out an existence as a bodyguard and occasional investigator. When his former trainer comes to him with news that some of his gladiators have gone missing, he takes on the case. And then the first body appears, and then the second. When Nero himself takes an interest, Leonidas has no choice but to find the murderer, or Nero will do it for him. Terrific mystery, with wonderful characters. #mystery #ancientrome
panI wanted to like this book, but it didn‘t provide much history. I think it was more of a commentary on Roman history, with an expectation that the reader was familiar with Roman historical events but not with modern History theory and approaches. I haven‘t studied History academically in years, but I remember the basics, so I was disappointed that so much of the book was about Historical theory and not Roman history.
2/5 I didn‘t learn much
so-soThe story of the founding of Rome down to the choosing of Numa as the second king, told successively by a Latin, a Sabine, an Etruscan, and a Greek. It kept fairly close to the legendary account but I didn't find it very engaging.
