Books
by Mary Beard
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Pompeii: The Life of a Roman Town |
By focusing not on its famous citizens but rather its ordinary ones, Mary Beard brings the Roman Empire to life. Vesuvius' eruption barely gets a mention; instead we hear tales of bakers, garum makers and slaves. It's not a sanitised version of Roman life - smutty graffiti, lewd frescoes and filthy streets are all covered in Mary's irreverent style. So forget the guide books (they're probably wrong); take this to Pompeii and prepare to see it a new light.
(Kate Ellis - bwl 70 Autumn 2013) |
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S P Q R: A History of Ancient Rome |
Why is the Roman Empire still important and relevant today? Surely just as “Latin is a dead language, dead as dead can be"….. the same can be said of the Roman Empire? Mary Beard, passionate about Roman history warts and all, takes on the challenge – and makes the case with conviction, enthusiasm and scholarship. No whitewashing, but opinions that make sense – this is history brought to life.
(Ferelith Hordon - bwl 105 Summer 2022) |
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