Mark answers “Two questions: 1) does this book read like...”

A Goodreads user asked this question about SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome:

Two questions: 1) does this book read like a textbook? And 2) how unbiased is it? Eurocentric? AntiEurocentric? I want neither.

Mark While primarily Eurocentric, Professor Beard does touch on Africa & the middle east. Among the best features of this book is the discussion on what cr…moreWhile primarily Eurocentric, Professor Beard does touch on Africa & the middle east. Among the best features of this book is the discussion on what creates Roman-ness and non-Roman culture and the interactions between social classes and geography.

If you're interested in the later Roman Empire and Late Antiquity Peter Brown's Through the Eye of a Needle is a fairly balanced blend of euro and non euro Roman history ( and worth the hefty price i.m.o., as was this book for me anyway). (less)

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