![]() Military force was important, but other threads in the weave (such as social mobility and the effect of extending citizenship to many of the conquered) made the Roman experience unique. Mary Beard analyses the evidence to shed new light on how a small community grew to become an empire. For example, were the emperors Nero and Caligula mad or simply the victims of their successors' smear campaign? What's behind all that nonsense about the city of Rome being founded by twin boys suckled by wolves? This is a book that explodes some of the myths and presents alternative answers. The most striking aspect of Mary Beard's new examination of Roman history is how far she goes to see all sides and all possible explanations of events. ![]() How do we know what really happened at any moment in history? At best we make educated guesses based on (often conflicting) evidence. If you only ever read one book on the Romans, make it this one. In SPQR she painstakingly assembles a balanced view of the civilization that dominated classical antiquity and that still resonates in our lives today. ![]() ![]() ![]() Prominent classicist and media personality, Mary Beard, specializes in unpicking elements of truth from myth in ancient history. The Roman people are brought vividly to life in this engaging volume. Summary: SPQR is the well-known stand-in for the phrase Senatus PopulusQue Romanus, the Senate and the People of Rome. ![]()
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