Emperor of Rome by Mary Beard

There are plenty of books focusing on the Romans, both factual and fictional, because it was a colourful and rich period in history. I have read many over the years and the struggle nowadays is to find something a bit different to the usual glamour of battles, extravagance and tourist guides. I was drawn to this particular work because it takes an unusual perspective with regard to emperors. The purpose is what it it meant to be a Roman Emperor, where Beard sets out to explore how these men ruled the huge territory, how their subjects interacted  with them and whether 'we can ever recapture what it felt like to sit on the throne.'

This book covers the fascinating period of one-man rule of the Roman Empire, from Julius Caesar (assassinated in 44 BCE) to Alexander Severus (assassinated 235 CE). Unlike most other history books, however, the emperors are not depicted in the usual chronological order; instead the idea is that the Roman leader was a role to be performed, what they did, how they travelled, what they ate and how succession worked. There are around thirty emperors included and many of them unheard of to the layman. Fortunately there is an introduction chart to the  'Main Characters'. There are plenty of maps, diagrams, a timeline and photographs to help the reader out.

Full of information, facts and fiction backed with evidence, Beard questions some of the assumptions historians have made in the past and puts forward her own thoughts. The writing is always genial and often witty making the book a pleasant read, which is just as well given the amount of information it includes. Clearly laid out, thought provoking with great insight, this is a book written by someone who knows and breathes Roman antiquity. Deserving of its place on my history shelf.​

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Published by Profile Books on 28 September 2023.

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