Blackwell's Non Fiction Book of the Year 2023

Signed by the author


In her international best-seller SPQR, Mary Beard told the thousand-year story of ancient Rome. Now, she shines her spotlight on the emperors who ruled the Roman empire, from Julius Caesar (assassinated 44 BCE) to Alexander Severus (assassinated 235 CE).

Emperor of Rome is not your usual chronological account of Roman rulers, one after another: the mad Caligula, the monster Nero, the philosopher Marcus Aurelius. Beard asks bigger questions: What power did emperors actually have? Was the Roman palace really so bloodstained?

Emperor of Rome goes directly to the heart of Roman (and our own) fantasies about what it was to be Roman, offering an account of Roman history as it has never been presented before.

Our Booksellers say...

'If you have never picked up a book on Roman history this would be a wonderful place to start. The author’s passion for her subject draws you in and doesn't let go. An endlessly fascinating account of lives of the seemingly all-powerful emperors of Rome with all the vagaries of their benevolence, cruelty, and wit. A consummate writer at the peak of her powers.'
Lara Mieduniecki, Blackwell’s Edinburgh

'An in depth look at the eccentricities of the emperors that ruled Rome through its most turbulent time in History. A classic example of when fact can be much stranger than fiction.'
James Orton, Blackwell’s Oxford

'Mary Beard can do no wrong and proves it yet again with this incredibly well researched work. Exploring what truly makes an Emperor, Beard paints a lively picture of Rome that brings it into the modern day for every reader. Whether an expert in ancient history or exploring this period for the first time, Emperor of Rome is a joy to read for all.'
Libby Low, Blackwell’s Exeter