What's it about?

Mary Beard's "SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome" challenges common understandings of Roman history. The book explores the motivations behind Rome's expansion, arguing it wasn't a predetermined plan but arose in a violent context. Beard utilizes a wealth of surviving texts from the first century BCE to offer intimate glimpses into Roman society and politics. The author examines key events like the Catiline conspiracy and the rise of figures like Cicero, while also questioning Rome's supposed military invincibility. The narrative traces Rome's origins from its mythical founding, through the regal period, the Republic's evolution with its internal conflicts and external expansion across Italy, and finally into the age of empire under Augustus and his successors. Throughout, Beard incorporates archaeological evidence and diverse perspectives, including those of both the Roman elite and the common people, to provide a nuanced portrayal of Roman life, culture, and power dynamics. The work also considers the lasting legacy of Rome and its transformation in the later imperial period, touching on aspects like law, social structures, and the emergence of Christianity.