Mary Beard

Author

Mary Beard is a British classicist, academic, and author who has become one of the most famous and influential public intellectuals in Britain — a scholar who has made the ancient world accessible, relevant, and endlessly fascinating to modern audiences. Born in Much Wenlock, Shropshire in 1955, Beard studied classics at Newnham... College, Cambridge, where she has spent her entire academic career, becoming Professor of Classics and a Fellow of Newnham College. She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2018. SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome (2015) was a major bestseller — a vivid, opinionated, and deeply researched history of Rome from its origins to the early third century. Emperor of Rome: Ruling the Ancient World examines what it actually meant to be a Roman emperor — the daily realities of power rather than the myths. Women and Power, Civilisations, The Parthenon, and Pompeii demonstrate her extraordinary range. Beard's television work — including the BBC series Meet the Romans, Civilisations, and Inside the World of Caligula — has made her one of the most recognisable academics in Britain. She presents with infectious enthusiasm, sharp wit, and a willingness to challenge received wisdom. Her public presence extends to social media, where she has been both celebrated and attacked for her outspoken views on politics, feminism, and public discourse. She engages with trolls and critics with remarkable equanimity. The audiobook editions of Beard's books are engaging and illuminating. Her books and audiobooks are essential for anyone interested in ancient history, Roman civilisation, and scholarship that is both rigorous and genuinely entertaining. Read more Show less