Structure

SPQR is divided into twelve chapters plus a prologue and a epilogue. The narrative is primarily chronological, with one significant exception. Chapter 1 begins in 63 BCE before returning, in the start of Chapter 2 to Rome’s earliest days and the legendary stories of its foundation. From Chapter 2, the narrative continues to proceed chronologically, through 63 BCE and beyond, up until 212 CE. The first half of the book therefore acts as a frame story, while the book as a whole could be seen as a chronological narrative with a flash-forward in the first chapter. Beard likely chose to begin her narrative in 63 BCE rather than with Rome’s foundation stories because she wanted to immerse her readers in the height of Roman cultural and political life as quickly as possible and hook them into the narrative with a dramatic story.

In her own words: “It offers the best introduction to...