SPQR by Mary Beard

[Ex-California]

Anyone else reading this? Its a super high level view of the Roman Empire. If you're familiar with everything, its just rehash, but for the layperson its a good read just to get a handle on this very important subject that, you know, is basically the roots of our modern world and civilization.

Its touted as a revisionist History so that's what's annoying about it. Beard goes out of her way to be contrary to accepted understandings and pounce on nearly fringe theories just to be revisionist. That being said, she always explains the accepted understanding though.

All in all, I think its a good thing for the public to read

[LVH2]

I've fallen asleep to the audio book several times. It's really good, though I can't really absorb much in audio form.

I'd been meaning to post this forever in the old joint.



Yes, she has her agenda. Rome was very multicultural, hint hint! But she also puts much more emphasis on ordinary people, and what it would have been like for most of us to live as Romans, than on emperors and generals. This is the approach to history I prefer.

Charming lady too.