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Profile to publish Beard’s ‘landmark’ new book Emperor of Rome
Profile Books has acquired Mary Beard’s "landmark" new book Emperor of Rome, “a revolutionary approach to an apparently familiar subject".
Managing director Andrew Franklin acquired world rights directly from the author, for publication on 28th September 2023.
Rights have already been sold in 13 territories, including to Norton in the US, S Fischer in Germany, Mondadori in Italy, Le Seuil in France, Critica in Spain, Athenaeum in the Netherlands, Cappelen Damm in Norway, with the US, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway set to publish this autumn.
The synopsis reads: “Emperor of Rome is much more than the usual emperor-by-emperor collection of biographies. Beard argues that, for most Romans, one ruler was much like another and she takes a thematic approach instead – looking at the fact and fiction of these rulers, asking what they did and why, and how we have got such a lurid view of them.
“The themes are autocracy, corruption and conspiracy – and also the day-to-day practicalities of the emperors’ lives (who did the cooking, or took the dictation?). She explores how they managed a huge empire, how they faced their subjects (and vice versa), and whether we can ever recapture what it felt like – what it meant – to be an emperor.
“The book comes from a lifetime of research. It takes the reader into the palace corridors, and beyond the hype of politics, power and succession. It’s a feast for classical enthusiasts, old and new.”
Franklin said: “This is the very best sort of book: a revolutionary approach to an apparently familiar subject. This book, like SPQR, will change forever our idea of ancient history.”
Beard, emerita professor and fellow of Newnham College, Cambridge and the classics editor of the TLS, said: “I’ve really enjoyed sharing some of the greatest hits and best kept secrets of the Roman world – from military training exercises to flying chamber pots, from emperors at the races to the head chef at the palace.”
Beard’s previous books include the Wolfson Prize-winning Pompeii, SPQR, and Women & Power (Profile). She has made numerous TV series and her books have been published in over 30 languages.
