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Excellently written, Mike Duncan does a thorough job at communicating the years and decades of Roman history prior to the rise of figures like Crassus, Pompey, and Caesar. Besides covering major events, wars, and social tensions, this book highlights how these events frequently led to constitutional crises, and how these crises frequently resulted in violations of established laws and precedents, Additionally, Duncan frequently mentions and highlights how these events influenced later events and built upon each other. Highly recommend the book.

Soft pick. I chose this particular book because I wanted to hear Boudica's story from the mouth of a woman who could be critical of sexist sources who used Boudica's story to further their own agendas. In a way, she reveals those agendas and some of their biases. But, for the most part, she simply retells their stories without too much criticism (where it was due). 1/3

This is not a chronological account of the different emperors from Octavian 44 BCE until Alexander Severus death 235 CE. This is a look at what it meant to be an emperor, what where your responsibilities, what recognized a good emperor, how was the household run and all your employees. It also looks at the women close to the emperor like mother and wife. It closes of with a look at how some of the emperors where turned into goods after their death

This was a very entertaining and informative travel book along the lines of Bill Bryson or Tony Horowitz. Perrottet and his girlfriend Lesley travel along the same route as Roman tourists would have done during the Pax Romana era which made such journeys relatively safe. From Rome to Naples to Greece to Turkey and finally Egypt. Occasionally dated in language and attitudes, despite being published only 20 years ago.

I sing of arms and of the man, fated to be an exile, who long since left the land of Troy and came to Italy to the shores of Lavinium; and a great pounding he took by land and sea at the hands of the heavenly gods because of the fierce and unforgetting anger of Juno. #firstlinefridays @ShyBookOwl

A bit slow to start but really enjoyed it in the end. Liked all the different voices we heard from.

Roman history told through a focus on the wives of the emperors from Livia to Gallia Placida (and I will never tire of saying somebody needs to make a biopic or series about Gallia Placida). Interesting and enjoyable, but it's 14 years old and already some of the “contemporary“ resonances and parallels are starting to age and I have to think for a bit to remember what they are about.

Next up . . . Some war time priestly action

1. Read, then probably read some more once I think I‘m done reading. 📖📚

2. A veterinary. I‘ve always loved animals & reading. Both still sing in my soul. 🐩🐾🐈

3. What are these things you call “holidays”? I‘ve no 🤑 nor family. Atheist. I‘ve nothing to celebrate & no one to celebrate them with. 🤷🏼‍♀️

4. 🦌

#MotivationalMonday @Cupcake12

A brilliant history of Ancient Rome. Mary Beard has a mastery of her subject and an engaging writing style that makes this a pleasure to read. I came to this knowing very little so it‘s a lot to absorb and probably more comprehensive that I need (as a casual lay reader). But it‘s accessible as an introduction & would be super rewarding for those who have a particular interest. New material is still coming to light. Essential if you like history.