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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Such an interesting perspective on what it was actually like to be a Roman emperor. Very interesting to learn what we don’t know. If you liked SPQR this book is for you
informative
slow-paced
Deeply interesting - so many niche accounts and sources. An analysis of 10 specific traits or components that ‘make’ a Roman Emperor that goes into detail on many things about the Roman Empire that typical biographies or period pieces miss or don’t discuss. These traits and components are explained partly by so many different tidbits that are woven together fantastically. I loved reading about how they would’ve dined, what they would do during a typical day, how they ‘ran’ the empire and their court, what they did on their ‘off days’ and how they ultimately shaped themselves to the people of Rome.
Eye-opening and challenges me to reconsider a lot of my preconceived notions based upon information from other books I’ve read about Roman Emperors and their lives, and all the lives within this amazing and unbelievably fascinating era of history
Eye-opening and challenges me to reconsider a lot of my preconceived notions based upon information from other books I’ve read about Roman Emperors and their lives, and all the lives within this amazing and unbelievably fascinating era of history
funny
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
informative
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
I loved Beard's SPQR, so I jumped at the chance when I heard she was writing a sequel. I had to wait a bit since I prefer paperbacks so I'm slightly behind the times. At any rate, this book turned out as good as I expected. I like Beard's prose and the organization by theme which eschews the typical chronological order that can make things so rote. Of course, my familiarity with the period helped in that respect, but I would say that the book is very accessible besides. The thematic writing really gives you an idea of how the Roman Empire kept dealing with the same issues from its very inception without needing to track of a series of events of how things came to be that way.
The single thing that I appreciated the most about this book was Beard's measured approach as a historian. And that amounts to the principle of carefully weighing the primary sources. It's this kind of discernment that we come to historians for, as opposed to reading all the texts ourselves (had we only the time). But I must reiterate again-since that description sounds fairly dry-that Beard doesn't get bogged down in minutiae that would exclude the average reader. Quite the opposite, she picks the details that are significant, and weaves a story that's easy to follow and coheres. In respect of the primary sources, she guides you in how to understand commonly repeated, held, and taught stories in a more accurate way. And that dear readers is the work of the discipline of history! So when we hear of so many of Suetonius' florid stories of the excesses of Roman emperors, we can take them-to use a Latin phrase-cum grano salis. However that isn't to say that they are false and useless, quite the contrary.
Another overall aspect I liked (which also applies to SPQR) is that Beard used prolific examples not just from literature but archaeology, architecture, art, almost anything you can think of she had some kind of source. This book has lots of printed black and white pictures as well as an inset of several color pictures of various things. This always helps to bring Rome to life as a breathing civilization.
Much of the period covered, I was quite knowledgeable about, except for the end of her selected century when the Severan dynasty was in power. So that part was some new and interesting stuff. I would say if I had any criticism it would be that some details were left out but this also would have made the book appreciably longer. Also, at times, Beard's writing was almost too accessible, written for a general audience, but that wasn't much of a point of detraction for me.
All in all a great nonfiction book on Rome, definitely worth a read for those interested in the period. Exceptionally good perspective as a historian. I look forward to Beard's next foray into the ancient world!
The single thing that I appreciated the most about this book was Beard's measured approach as a historian. And that amounts to the principle of carefully weighing the primary sources. It's this kind of discernment that we come to historians for, as opposed to reading all the texts ourselves (had we only the time). But I must reiterate again-since that description sounds fairly dry-that Beard doesn't get bogged down in minutiae that would exclude the average reader. Quite the opposite, she picks the details that are significant, and weaves a story that's easy to follow and coheres. In respect of the primary sources, she guides you in how to understand commonly repeated, held, and taught stories in a more accurate way. And that dear readers is the work of the discipline of history! So when we hear of so many of Suetonius' florid stories of the excesses of Roman emperors, we can take them-to use a Latin phrase-cum grano salis. However that isn't to say that they are false and useless, quite the contrary.
Another overall aspect I liked (which also applies to SPQR) is that Beard used prolific examples not just from literature but archaeology, architecture, art, almost anything you can think of she had some kind of source. This book has lots of printed black and white pictures as well as an inset of several color pictures of various things. This always helps to bring Rome to life as a breathing civilization.
Much of the period covered, I was quite knowledgeable about, except for the end of her selected century when the Severan dynasty was in power. So that part was some new and interesting stuff. I would say if I had any criticism it would be that some details were left out but this also would have made the book appreciably longer. Also, at times, Beard's writing was almost too accessible, written for a general audience, but that wasn't much of a point of detraction for me.
All in all a great nonfiction book on Rome, definitely worth a read for those interested in the period. Exceptionally good perspective as a historian. I look forward to Beard's next foray into the ancient world!