781 Potsdam; Emperor of Rome; On the Hippie Trail

In 'SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome,' Mary Beard challenges traditional historical perspectives by exploring how the Romans thought of themselves, their responses to terrorism and revolution, and their invention of a new idea of citizenship and nation. The book begins in 63 BCE with the clash between Catiline and Cicero and delves into the lives of both famous and lesser-known Romans, including women, slaves, and middle-class citizens. Beard separates fact from fiction and myth, providing a fresh and engaging view of Roman history that includes detailed illustrations and maps.