Summary
Mary Beard's "SPQR" argues that ancient Rome remains crucial for judging ourselves, as its history of empire, conquest, cruelty, and excess, alongside its myths and stories, continues to resonate. The book examines how Rome expanded from a small village to a vast empire controlling territory from Spain to Syria, while also exploring how Romans perceived themselves and their accomplishments, and why their influence endures. Covering a millennium, it illuminates Roman culture, from slavery and sanitation (running water) to democracy, migration, religious disputes, social mobility, and exploitation within the imperial context.
Beard presents SPQR, the Romans' own abbreviation for their state—Senatus Populusque Romanus, "the Senate and People of Rome"—as a lens through which to understand this history. Readers gain insight into the enduring impact of Roman debates on citizenship, security, and individual rights on contemporary discussions of civil liberty.
Key concepts
- SPQR — The Romans' own abbreviation for their state, meaning "the Senate and People of Rome."
- Roman myths and stories — Narratives like Romulus and Remus and the Rape of Lucretia that continue to hold significance.
- Debates about citizenship, security, and the rights of the individual — Historical Roman discussions that still influence modern civil liberty discourse.
- Roman culture basics — Specific aspects of Roman life such as slavery and running water.
- Democracy, migration, religious controversy, social mobility, and exploitation — Key themes explored within the context of the Roman Empire.
From the book
Description: Ancient Rome matters. Its history of empire, conquest, cruelty and excess is something against which we still judge ourselves. Its myths and stories - from Romulus and Remus to the Rape of Lucretia - still strike a chord with us. And its debates about citizenship, security and the rights of the individual still influence our own debates on civil liberty today. SPQR is a new look at Roman history from one of the world's foremost classicists. It explores not only how Rome grew from an insignificant village in central Italy to a power that controlled territory from Spain to Syria, but also how the Romans thought about themselves and their achievements, and why they are still important to us. Covering 1,000 years of history, and casting fresh light on the basics of Roman culture…
Snippet: Covering 1,000 years of history, and casting fresh light on the basics of Roman culture from slavery to running water, as well as exploring democracy, migration, religious controversy, social mobility and exploitation in the larger context ...