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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.

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.

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.

I have two books in progress, but the #bookspin and #doublespin numbers came out today. This is my #doublespin and is all I want to read. I think I‘m going to make myself read at least a few chapters of one of the other books, but I will probably cave and start Nero later today.

I‘ve been really scattered brained. So I decided to find the most boring book on my shelves, from my 1994 undergraduate class on the Roman Empire. (Yeah, I was supposed to read it then. Oops) Well, i‘ve been reading it. Not sure how far i will get.

Falco was insufferable, especially in the beginning & his interactions with Sosia were disgusting. Real “written by a man” energy.
I enjoyed the delve into the Roman Empire & Britain altho some of the names felt very Mel Brooks/Monty Python.
Helena was a delight & I have to root for the woman who doesn‘t take any man‘s shit.
My feelings about Falco mellowed by the end. I understood him better but I still didn‘t care for him.

This book really goes into detail about Roman life, the eruption and later the work of archeologists to find and restore this chapter of history.