If you’re like me, most of what you know about ancient Rome comes from repeated viewings of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. Maybe even seeing Stanley Kubrick’s Spartacus. I never received a “classical” education when I grew up in New York City. History in my primary school began when Columbus, to the surprise of the local populations, “discovered” America. It was time to ramp up what I know about Rome — and who better to start with then Mary Beard. This thick book covers the period from the mythical creation of Rome up to the end of the 2nd century — about a thousand years. The empire lasted after that, but Beard decided that the really interesting bits were all over by then. It’s a very good book, in thematic rather than strictly chronological order, is well-illustrated and clear. Now I guess I can watch whole seasons of I, Claudius and maybe return to Gladiator one more time …