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SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome Paperback – Illustrated, September 6, 2016
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New York Times Bestseller
A New York Times Notable Book
Named one of the Best Books of the Year by the Wall Street Journal, the Economist,Foreign Affairs, and Kirkus Reviews
Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award (Nonfiction)
Shortlisted for the Cundill Prize in Historical Literature
Finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize (History)
A San Francisco Chronicle Holiday Gift Guide Selection
A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice Selection
A sweeping, "magisterial" history of the Roman Empire from one of our foremost classicists shows why Rome remains "relevant to people many centuries later" (Atlantic).
In SPQR, an instant classic, Mary Beard narrates the history of Rome "with passion and without technical jargon" and demonstrates how "a slightly shabby Iron Age village" rose to become the "undisputed hegemon of the Mediterranean" (Wall Street Journal). Hailed by critics as animating "the grand sweep and the intimate details that bring the distant past vividly to life" (Economist) in a way that makes "your hair stand on end" (Christian Science Monitor) and spanning nearly a thousand years of history, this "highly informative, highly readable" (Dallas Morning News) work examines not just how we think of ancient Rome but challenges the comfortable historical perspectives that have existed for centuries. With its nuanced attention to class, democratic struggles, and the lives of entire groups of people omitted from the historical narrative for centuries, SPQR will to shape our view of Roman history for decades to come.
100 illustrations; 16 pages of color; 5 maps- Print length608 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherLiveright
- Publication dateSeptember 6, 2016
- Dimensions5.5 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
- ISBN-101631492225
- ISBN-13978-1631492228
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Editorial Reviews
Review
― Greg Woolf, Wall Street Journal
"Though she here claims that 50 years of training and study have led up to SPQR, Beard wears her learning lightly. As she takes us through the brothels, bars, and back alleys where the populus Romanus left their imprint, one senses, above all, that she is having fun."
― James Romm, New Republic
"By the time Beard has finished, she has explored not only archaic, republican, and imperial Rome, but the eastern and western provinces over which it eventually won control…She moves with ease and mastery though archaeology, numismatics, and philology, as well as a mass of written documents on stone and papyrus."
― G. W. Bowersock, New York Review of Books
"In SPQR, her wonderful concise history, Mary Beard unpacks the secrets of the city's success with a crisp and merciless clarity that I have not seen equaled anywhere else."
― Ferdinand Mount, New York Times Book Review
"Beard does precisely what few popularizers dare to try and plenty of dons can’t pull off: She conveys the thrill of puzzling over texts and events that are bound to be ambiguous, and she complicates received wisdom in the process. Her magisterial new history of Rome, SPQR…is no exception…. The ancient Romans, Beard shows, are relevant to people many centuries later who struggle with questions of power, citizenship, empire, and identity."
― Emily Wilson, The Atlantic
"A masterful new chronicle…. Beard is a sure-footed guide through arcane material that, in other hands, would grow tedious. Sifting myth from fact in dealing with the early history of the city, she enlivens―and deepens―scholarly debates by demonstrating how the Romans themselves shaped their legendary beginnings to short-term political ends…. Exemplary popular history, engaging but never dumbed down, providing both the grand sweep and the intimate details that bring the distant past vividly to life."
― The Economist
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Liveright; Reprint edition (September 6, 2016)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 608 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1631492225
- ISBN-13 : 978-1631492228
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #4,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book engaging, well-written, and accessible. They appreciate the author's scholarly approach and ability to contextualize ancient events within Roman history. The book provides an interesting and entertaining account of the Roman world from its beginnings through the evolution of power. It sheds light on Roman identity and provides interesting details about the lives of ordinary Romans.
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Customers find the book engaging and well-told. They describe the writing as concise, detailed, and easy to read. Readers praise the book as a thorough academic account that covers the history of Rome in an interesting narrative.
"This book is a masterpiece of history. Exciting, easy to understand, and comprehensive. An effortless, satisfying read...." Read more
"...Although, not without flaws, SPQR presents a concise and very readable history of Ancient Rome from its beginnings (legendary and otherwise) to the..." Read more
"...Engaging Writing Style:** Beard's writing is both scholarly and accessible...." Read more
"Mary Beard writes in a breezy, often anecdotal, style which makes her book both informative and entertaining...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book. They find it interesting, accessible, and entertaining. The author is described as knowledgeable and the book is praised as a great work for history enthusiasts.
"...It was so interesting to listen to that I rarely felt compelled to speed it up as has often happened with other Audiobooks that drone on and on and..." Read more
"...quite engaging. As Rome became richer and more powerful, it was transformed from an oligarchic republic to a failed state...." Read more
"...In conclusion, "SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome" is a compelling and deeply researched work that offers valuable insights into the complexities of..." Read more
"...SPQR is a meaty work with a lot of events, analysis and ideas to digest...." Read more
Customers find the book provides a well-documented introduction to ancient Rome. It is accessible and contextualizes ancient events and figures within Roman history. Readers appreciate the author's ability to cover professional historians' debates without taking sides. The book serves as an excellent read that serves to teach much about ancient Rome and about the study of history. The author peppers her history with insights and personal perspectives, revealing how seemingly inconsequential archaeological findings can reveal so much.
"...When we don’t know exactly what happened, she explains the various theories so we can move on. But it’s never boring or tedious...." Read more
"...not without flaws, SPQR presents a concise and very readable history of Ancient Rome from its beginnings (legendary and otherwise) to the year 212...." Read more
"...Comprehensive Coverage:** Beard does an exceptional job of covering a vast period, from the foundation of Rome in the 8th century BC to the fall of..." Read more
"...It gives the reader a vivid insight into the various lives of the Romans, from emperor to slave." Read more
Customers find the book engaging and informative. They appreciate its insights into Roman power and identity, making complex historical events and figures come alive with vivid descriptions. The author's approach is good at conveying the Roman mindset and lifestyle, weaving a rich tapestry of political intrigue and societal evolution. Overall, it provides an accessible and modern perspective on Rome.
"This book is a masterpiece of history. Exciting, easy to understand, and comprehensive. An effortless, satisfying read...." Read more
"Mary Beard is perhaps the best known and most popular historian of Ancient Rome. After reading SPQR, I can understand why...." Read more
"...critical aspects of Roman society, including class struggles, democratic developments, and the voices often omitted from mainstream narratives...." Read more
"...- **Lack of Chronological Flow:** The book's thematic approach, while offering deep dives into specific aspects of Roman life, sometimes disrupts..." Read more
Customers find the book engaging and interesting, providing an accurate account of Ancient Rome in an accessible way. They describe it as entertaining, exciting, and comprehensive, with well-done discussions on what that meant. The book is described as entertaining, often funny, and sometimes appalling.
"This book is a masterpiece of history. Exciting, easy to understand, and comprehensive. An effortless, satisfying read...." Read more
"...often anecdotal, style which makes her book both informative and entertaining...." Read more
"...It is a very well-done and interesting discussion of what that meant -- and what it didn't, and the varied reactions of the newly enfranchised...." Read more
"Fascinating, extremely well written history for the general reader covering the history of Rome from its founding until 212 AD when all occupants of..." Read more
Customers find the book provides detailed information about the lives of ordinary Romans and the ancient history of the Roman Empire. The author develops themes and challenges traditional narratives, introducing readers to the vast and fascinating ancient history of the Romans via Cicero. They also appreciate the insights into the lives of people during that period, including the succession of Emperors.
"...Beard challenges traditional narratives and invites readers to reconsider established assumptions about Rome's history and its impact on the modern..." Read more
"...Beard eschews a strictly chronological narrative in favor of a more thematic approach, peppering her history with insights and personal perspectives..." Read more
"...it sheds so much light on Roman identity and that because Beard is so good at, and so balanced in, as she puts it, "reading between the lines"..." Read more
"...I got a much better idea of exactly who Cicero and the other major players in Roman history were, thanks to Beard’s masterful..." Read more
Customers have different views on the book's length. Some find it a sensible and interesting exploration of a period of time, covering it exhaustively and nuanced. Others feel it's too long and difficult to follow, lacking structure and chronological order.
""SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome" by Mary Beard offers an expansive and nuanced exploration of one of history's most influential civilizations...." Read more
"Long and could have been better organized. From c700 bc to c 60 bc was very confusing...." Read more
"This is a big book. That is it covers big themes over a large stretch of time, the first Roman Millennium, from the founding of the city to the..." Read more
"...SPQR is quite a long book and it is written in a rigorous academic style. It's not a popular history such as those written by Dan Jones...." Read more
Customers find the book's information dense and disjointed. They also mention that the author makes statements without supporting data. The information is described as speculative and boring, with endless references and self-references.
"...Cons:** - **Overwhelming Detail:** At times, the sheer amount of information and the dense presentation can be overwhelming, particularly for..." Read more
"...Instead there are about 50 pages saying that all those legends are unreliable that we don't know much about early Rome...." Read more
"...This she does very well, despite limited written records as compared to the lives of the wealthy...." Read more
"...In addition, she makes statements of fact without any supporting data. A few examples: -..." Read more
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A Deep Dive into Roman History"
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2024This book is a masterpiece of history. Exciting, easy to understand, and comprehensive. An effortless, satisfying read. When we don’t know exactly what happened, she explains the various theories so we can move on. But it’s never boring or tedious. She moves things right along.
She more or less debunks some of the most famous crazy stories about erratic behavior of some of the emperors, which is probably a good thing since it’s probably true. But, without all of that fun sadism, underlying suffering, and bizarre behavior, it’s not quite as exciting. But she at least tells you where you can get it if you want it. So, Suetonius it is. :-)
Also, the Audiobook for this is perfectly done and extremely fun to listen to. It was so interesting to listen to that I rarely felt compelled to speed it up as has often happened with other Audiobooks that drone on and on and on about stuff that doesn’t interest me and I just want to get through. She was perfect.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2016Mary Beard is perhaps the best known and most popular historian of Ancient Rome. After reading SPQR, I can understand why. Although, not without flaws, SPQR presents a concise and very readable history of Ancient Rome from its beginnings (legendary and otherwise) to the year 212. SQPR advances more or less in historical order. For each broad period, it discusses culture, society, and history before it jumps to another period. While some have called the book “revisionist,” to my mind it does an excellent job of presenting different hypotheses—some traditional and some new. While this is not a page turner in the classic sense of the term, it is well-written and easy to read.
Beard covers the major battles and political events, however much of the book focuses on what we know and do not know about Rome’s people, its subjects, its society, and its culture. She does an impressive job bringing together archeological evidence, documents, and common sense to reconstruct Ancient Rome. Her aim, as she explains, is to show a full portrait of ancient Rome, based on what we know and on our current thinking. In other words, the history of “the Senate and People of Rome” the English rendering of the SPQR.
Before 390 BCE or so, we only have Rome’s founding myths and legends. Beard looks at these stories and at many different elements of archeological evidence. This allows her to put together a number of different possibly histories of the early history. Did Romulus found Rome after being raised by a she-wolf and killing his twin brother? No. But many of the origin stories and legends may have some basis in fact.
As the book moves forward, it focuses more and more on what we know from the documentary evidence and tries to answer questions about the period. For example, how revolutionary or populist were Julius Caesar or rabble rousers like Clodius? How dedicated was Brutus and friends to the cause of liberty? How did Romans transfer large sums of money? Or how many people really knew how to read and write (20%?).
Beard offers a great deal of insight about the Roman republic, both as it rises to power and is it falls into civil war and political chaos. I found her discussion of the rise of warlords (Sulla, Pompey, Caesar, etc.) quite engaging. As Rome became richer and more powerful, it was transformed from an oligarchic republic to a failed state. More money, greater inequality, and less stability.
To my mind, the books starts to lose its steam after the reign of Augustus Caesar (31 BC to 14 AD). Augustus (who was still called Octavian), through cunning and military force, is able to stabilize the republic and create a monarchy that restores the peace. Beard explains in detail how Augustus sets up his republican monarchy, along with its compromises and accommodations.
However Beard provides little discussion of what happens next. While she does outline the reigns of the twelve legitimate emperors from Tiberius to Caracalla (there were two short civil wars during this period), it is done in short form. Possibly Nero and Domitian were not as bloody as history tells us; perhaps Caligula was not as mad as much as maddening (to the Roman elite). There is a good discussion of the expansion of Christianity in its first two centuries. Beard also discusses the expansion of “Romanization” as the empire expands.
The narrative ends in 212, the year that Caracalla grants citizenship to the entire free population. This was on the cusp of the so-called “Crisis of the Third Century.” As Beard herself points out, it is not clear why citizenship was extended or what this meant in practice. I think that this date was chosen because the empire that emerged after sixty years of revolts and civil wars was a very different sort of place with very different rules. It is not an entirely satisfactory answer but at some point the book does have to end.
Looking back two thousand years, it is quite common to ask what we can learn from Rome or if we (our civilization) is falling like the Roman Empire fell. Mary Beard argues that there is little that we can directly learn from Rome. From this book, I learned that a lot of modern institutions that we take for granted—ranging from targeted social safety nets to a proto-nation state to the republican government that is really an authoritarian dictatorship—have their origins in Ancient Rome. Certainly, we are not destined to repeat anything but there is much that we can learn.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2024"SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome" by Mary Beard offers an expansive and nuanced exploration of one of history's most influential civilizations. As someone deeply interested in history, I approached this book with high expectations, intrigued by the promise of insights into the Roman Republic and Empire. While there were aspects of the book I appreciated, my overall experience was mixed.
**Pros:**
- **Comprehensive Coverage:** Beard does an exceptional job of covering a vast period, from the foundation of Rome in the 8th century BC to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. Her ability to distill complex historical events into engaging narratives is commendable.
- **Engaging Writing Style:** Beard's writing is both scholarly and accessible. She has a knack for bringing historical figures and events to life, making the reader feel as though they're witnessing history unfold.
- **Thought-Provoking Analysis:** The book shines in its analysis of Roman society, politics, and culture. Beard challenges traditional narratives and invites readers to reconsider established assumptions about Rome's history and its impact on the modern world.
**Cons:**
- **Overwhelming Detail:** At times, the sheer amount of information and the dense presentation can be overwhelming, particularly for readers new to Roman history. Those looking for a light introduction might find SPQR a challenging starting point.
- **Lack of Chronological Flow:** The book's thematic approach, while offering deep dives into specific aspects of Roman life, sometimes disrupts the chronological flow of history. This can make it difficult to follow the overall progression of Roman history.
- **Limited Focus on Certain Periods:** While SPQR covers a broad timeline, certain periods and events receive less attention than others. Readers interested in specific epochs might find the coverage uneven.
In conclusion, "SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome" is a compelling and deeply researched work that offers valuable insights into the complexities of Roman history. Mary Beard's expertise and passion for the subject are evident throughout. However, the book's density and thematic structure may not cater to all tastes, particularly those seeking a more straightforward chronological history or a lighter read. For those willing to engage with its depth and complexity, SPQR provides a rewarding exploration of ancient Rome's legacy.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Deep Dive into Roman History""SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome" by Mary Beard offers an expansive and nuanced exploration of one of history's most influential civilizations. As someone deeply interested in history, I approached this book with high expectations, intrigued by the promise of insights into the Roman Republic and Empire. While there were aspects of the book I appreciated, my overall experience was mixed.
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2024
**Pros:**
- **Comprehensive Coverage:** Beard does an exceptional job of covering a vast period, from the foundation of Rome in the 8th century BC to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. Her ability to distill complex historical events into engaging narratives is commendable.
- **Engaging Writing Style:** Beard's writing is both scholarly and accessible. She has a knack for bringing historical figures and events to life, making the reader feel as though they're witnessing history unfold.
- **Thought-Provoking Analysis:** The book shines in its analysis of Roman society, politics, and culture. Beard challenges traditional narratives and invites readers to reconsider established assumptions about Rome's history and its impact on the modern world.
**Cons:**
- **Overwhelming Detail:** At times, the sheer amount of information and the dense presentation can be overwhelming, particularly for readers new to Roman history. Those looking for a light introduction might find SPQR a challenging starting point.
- **Lack of Chronological Flow:** The book's thematic approach, while offering deep dives into specific aspects of Roman life, sometimes disrupts the chronological flow of history. This can make it difficult to follow the overall progression of Roman history.
- **Limited Focus on Certain Periods:** While SPQR covers a broad timeline, certain periods and events receive less attention than others. Readers interested in specific epochs might find the coverage uneven.
In conclusion, "SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome" is a compelling and deeply researched work that offers valuable insights into the complexities of Roman history. Mary Beard's expertise and passion for the subject are evident throughout. However, the book's density and thematic structure may not cater to all tastes, particularly those seeking a more straightforward chronological history or a lighter read. For those willing to engage with its depth and complexity, SPQR provides a rewarding exploration of ancient Rome's legacy.
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Top reviews from other countries
- AndresReviewed in Mexico on December 17, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Intense
Not the story of Rome you want but story of Rome you need. An extremely insightful work by Mary Beard into the history of Ancient Rome, its emperors, citizens, slaves and whatnot.
First chapters may scream challenging book, but as the book progresses, you’ll see why the Author provides such rich content and notice that you have actually learned something.
Thank you MB
- TaniaReviewed in Germany on April 7, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Great summary and explanation of history
Really great book to understand the history of classical Rome.
-
DiegoReviewed in Spain on March 5, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Apasionante
La forma en que describe la historia, los personajes y la intriga te atrapa desde la primera página
- RikReviewed in the Netherlands on March 4, 2023
2.0 out of 5 stars Not a history
It came so highly reviewed I thought it would be an amazing history of Rome.
What we really got was disconnected, fragmented pieces here and there, as easily forgotten as read.
You can read 30 pages and recall nothing after you’re done. Because nothing builds on a narrative. Just trivia sandwiched between highfalutin opinionated commentary that has a feminist bend and adds nothing worthwhile.
- James W. DerryReviewed in Canada on October 16, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars ROME LIVES!
Mary Beard takes us from the founding of Rome, through the age of kings, the Republic, the emperors, until the moment Caracalla grants Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants in the Empire. It is quite a sweep of history, but Beard, a passionate classicist, makes this accessible and understandable to her readers.
Much has been written before her about the rise and fall of this astonishing empire, which spanned most of Europe and the Mediterranean basin and spread its culture and laws far beyond, and far past its demise. Today, we can still hear and see the effects of Rome around us everywhere. How did the Romans accomplish this?
Beard attempts to explain, from the early days of a settlement on the Tiber, under barely recorded kings until the peak of the Empire ruled by astonishing emperors. Most histories gloss over the beginnings of Rome, but Beard takes on this task to explain how the settlement grew, and gained power. For myself, this is the least interesting section, but once past the first 150 pages, the book really takes off.
Through the brilliant Cicero, we learn a lot about everyday life in Rome, mostly because he wrote so much and most of it has survived. This is an interesting method to convey her story of how the Romans lived, ate, worked, served, and died. The empire expanded, and moved from being a republic ruled by the Senate, to the dictatorship of Julius Caesar, civil wars, and then the astonishing reign of Augustus, the first emperor. Again, we know this, and in detail, because pieces of this greatness are still around us, in museums, in ruins, and still being unearthed in far flung outposts.
Not all of this book is in chronological order, such as covering the 14 emperors following Augustus. Beard is following a theme here, what did these emperors accomplish, why, and how did it impact the Roman world, and our world today. We are left incredulous at what Roman civilization really was, and that after its collapse in the West, how it could take 1000 years for Europe to recover and reach the heights that imperial Rome had achieved.
SPQR is a work that helps us understand what was Rome. Beard is a noted professor of classics and frequent contributor on the television. Recently uploaded to YouTube is her somewhat ambitiously titled: "Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit". In many ways this 4 part series is a companion piece to SPQR, much of it covering similar material. It is worth watching to see her travel around what was once a global empire.