Twelve Caesars: Images of Power from the Ancient World to the Modern

Twelve Caesars: Images of Power from the Ancient World to the Modern by Mary Beard is a masterful and enthralling exploration of how Roman emperors have shaped art, culture, and the concept of power across time. With her characteristic wit and scholarly brilliance, Beard guides readers through a vivid tapestry of imagery, from ancient coins and busts to Renaissance masterpieces and modern reinterpretations, revealing the enduring allure of the twelve Caesars—Julius Caesar to Domitian. The book’s genius lies in its seamless storytelling and accessibility, blending meticulous historical detail with a narrative that feels alive and relevant.Beard expertly explores the fascinating interplay between ancient history, Renaissance art, and early modern historical interpretation, showcasing how these periods conversed across centuries. She illustrates how Renaissance artists, captivated by Roman imperial imagery, reimagined the Caesars to reflect their own era’s political and cultural aspirations, while early modern thinkers used these figures to grapple with questions of power and legacy. Her analysis of this dynamic exchange—where ancient artifacts inspired Renaissance creativity and, in turn, shaped early modern perceptions of history—is both illuminating and elegantly presented, offering fresh perspectives on how the past is continually reshaped.The book’s rich illustrations enhance its impact, vividly bringing these artifacts to life, while Beard’s infectious enthusiasm makes every page a delight. This is a triumph of historical and artistic scholarship, a must-read for anyone captivated by history, art, or the timeless dance of power. It leaves you inspired to explore museums anew, seeing the Caesars’ faces as vibrant links across time.

This book is extremely well written and full of interesting information about the Cesar’s and artifacts from this time frame.

I have become a fan of Professor Beard. I very much enjoyed her book SPQR, which I felt was very informative and well-written. Her most recent works have taken a turn towards art. This book, Twelve Caesars, most obviously draws the threads of history and art together, as she examines the uses of busts, paintings, and other artworks that represent (or claim to represent) the images of ancient Roman emperors (most prominently the twelve Caesars written about by Suetonius) as symbols of power throughout history.Though images of Julius and Augustus Caesar (not to mention the rest who claim the name/title) are no longer as recognizable as they once were it is amazing to be reminded of how prominent they once were. Few houses of royalty or the wealthy and powerful would have been without such artwork, the pinnacle being a collection of the entire twelve. Even in the Victorian era it was not uncommon to find typical middle class households with images of the emperors. Symbols of power had metamorphosed into symbols of education and culture, now lost.This examination of power symbols, however, does not provide the main avenue of enjoyment here, however. Professor Beard is at her best when she is examining the misidentification of emperors—is it really Julius? Or perhaps Claudius? Or Galba? Her astounding knowledge of Roman history and literature comes to the fore here as she makes forceful arguments about reidentifying various pieces of art, as well as the impossibility of knowing for sure. In fact, it is those moments when she is sharing bits of history—the use of standard busts shipped out across the empire to create permanent local pieces or the fact that some images of old emperors were simply changed as new emperors came to power—where the book flies.In the end, the biggest problem with this book is that its major theme seems so unimportant today. Images of the Caesars are over a century passe and it doesn’t look like they’re on the verge of making a comeback. This book reminded me that I would be much more interested in seeing another volume of general reader friendly history than another book on interpretation of art.

As always, Mary Beard has written a fascinating book on Roman history with incredible and beautiful illustrations. This book is definitely a joy to read, especially for anyone curious about imperial Rome.What a pleasure to be in the illuminating hands of a great scholar and be taken on a ride through time and cultures gaining insights into the how and why of the projection of power.M. T. Philipps, author of ‘Keeping Calm’

Mary Beard's Twelve Caesars is an engaging and informative read that makes it easy to understand the complex political and social climate of the period. Beard's writing is passionate and engaging. She brings the characters to life with vivid descriptions and anecdotes. With each chapter, she skillfully paints a picture of the individual emperor's reign and their impact on the Roman world.In addition to the facts, Beard also gives the reader a glimpse into the personalities of the rulers. She examines the machinations of the Roman court and how the emperors interacted with their courtiers. The result is a comprehensive and engrossing look at the Roman Empire during its heyday.Beard's research is impeccable. She draws on a variety of ancient sources, making sure to give the reader a balanced view of each emperor. She also adds her own insight and commentary to provide additional context.Overall, Mary Beard's Twelve Caesars is a fun and informative read that provides an in-depth look at the lives and times of the twelve Roman Emperors. It is an excellent book for anyone interested in the history of the Roman Empire.

This book came wrapped in a tight fitting plastic and in a padded bubbled envelope. It also came much earlier than expected. It is a beautiful book in beautiful condition. Can’t wait to read it. I would buy from this seller again and again!!