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SPQR

A History of Ancient Rome

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SPQR

By: Mary Beard
Narrated by: Phyllida Nash
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Summary

Sunday Times top 10 best seller.

Shortlisted for a British Book Industry Book of the Year Award 2016.

The new series Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit is on BBC2.

Ancient Rome matters.

Its history of empire, conquest, cruelty and excess is something against which we still judge ourselves. Its myths and stories - from Romulus and Remus to the Rape of Lucretia - still strike a chord with us. And its debates about citizenship, security and the rights of the individual still influence our own debates on civil liberty today.

SPQR is a new look at Roman history from one of the world's foremost classicists. It explores not only how Rome grew from an insignificant village in Central Italy to a power that controlled territory from Spain to Syria, but also how the Romans thought about themselves and their achievements, and why they are still important to us. Covering 1,000 years of history and casting fresh light on the basics of Roman culture from slavery to running water, as well as exploring democracy, migration, religious controversy, social mobility and exploitation in the larger context of the empire, this is a definitive history of ancient Rome.

SPQR is the Romans' own abbreviation for their state: Senatus Populusque Romanus, 'the Senate and People of Rome'.

©2016 Mary Beard (P)2016 Hachette Audio UK Ancient Rome Ancient History Ancient Rome Italy Mythology
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Mary Beard has recreated the first millennium of the Roman Empire with the most original insights. Her understanding of the period is deep and broad, covering all aspects of society, politics and personalities. The book is accessible and engaging, helped along by a great narrator. Best book on Ancient History I have “read” and highly recommend to anybody who is even slightly interested in this genre. You will find it both educational and enjoyable.

Brilliant insights into Ancient Rome

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Despite a huge subject Mary provided a very readable account of the first Roman millennium

very readable

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Anything about Ancient Rome and Roman Britain. Mary Beard certainly has got it right with this book

The succinctness of the text and the reading

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enjoyed it very much. a thorough work that has given me a understanding of the period.

a thorough work.

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This well researched and well written book is a fascinating and fresh take on ancient Rome. Well worth the time.

Fascinating and fresh

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