Talking Classics

Her irreverence has turned her into a national treasure… illuminates the present through the past * Observer *EastEnders for the 1st century AD… Beard’s enthusiastic sense of wonder remains undimmed and unjaded. * The Times *This book is a true delight, a thought-provoking, engaging and deeply personal look at the classical world from an author who understands it like no other – Elodie Harper, author of THE WOLF DENA lively, accessible case for why the ancient world still matters, drawing connections between Greece, Rome and today. Packed with insight and wit, this is a spirited defence of classics for modern readers. * i Paper *Pithily presented, with flashes of salty humour… excavates the discipline from the layers of argument that surround it * The Economist *Her enthusiasm remains undimmed, and it’s her great gift that she’s able to bring the past to life * Radio Times *Deeply affectionate… draws on decades of teaching experience * Express and Star *Engrossing… Beard’s book shows how, in these days of easy AI-generated answers and polarised politics, engaging with classics means grappling with different viewpoints * Sunday Post *Delves deep into the worlds of ancient Rome and Greece [from] a renowned classicist * Irish Times *A treatise on why the cultural artefacts of Ancient Greece and Rome remain relevant to our present millennium * Buzz Magazine *Iconoclastic and energetic… makes the case for rethinking - and renewing our relationship with - the Classics * Observer *Praise for Mary Beard: ‘Britain’s most famous classicist is at the peak of her powers * The Times *A beautifully written product of a lifetime of deep scholarly learning * Financial Times *What she says is always powerful and interesting * Guardian *Dynamically, wittily and authoritatively brings the ancient world to life – Simon Sebag MontefioreBeard informs and entertains… What she touches turns to light * Independent *The most famous historian of Rome sets the record straight * Time *

Mary Beard is the most acclaimed classicist working today. She is the Professor Emerita of Classics at Cambridge and is the Classics editor of the TLS. She is also the co-host, with Charlotte Higgins, of the podcast Instant Classics.

Her previous books include the bestselling, Wolfson Prize-winning Pompeii as well as Confronting the Classics, SPQR, Women & Power, and Emperor of Rome. Her work has been published in over 35 languages.