SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard | Book Club

Suggested by: Book Shop Event
ISBN: 9781631492228 (Originally listed edition, & Edition Eugene is using)

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2 - Wealth - 09/07/2024 = Origin of Wealth: Evolution, Complexity, and the Radical Remaking of Economics by Eric D. Beinhocker
3 - Philosophy - 11/23/2024 = A Guide to the Good Life: Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine
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5 - Effect of Status - 12/14/2024 = The Status Game: On Human Life and How to Play It: On Social Position and How We Use it by Will Storr

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While reading the book, consider the below questions:
•What is the raison d’etre of the book? For what purpose did the author write the book? Why do people read this book?
•What are some limitations of the book?
•To whom would you suggest this book?
•What does SPQR stand for?
•What were characteristics of Roman culture?
•What were the values under the Republic era?
•Who could become a politician?
•How did Rome expand?
•How did Rome’s expansion effect the political process?
•How much of Roman history is known? What are the sources for Roman history?
•How was the Roman army used?
•For what reasons did Roman’s fight wars?
•How were the conquered people treated?
•Who could become a Roman citizen?
•Who was Pompey?
•Why did Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Marcus Licinius Crassus create a partnership?
•When did the Republic government fall?
•How did Augustus change Rome?
•How have the Romans influenced contemporary society?
•What is the relationship between Greece and Rome?
•Why was there a conflict between Cicero and Catiline?
•How did Cicero rule as consul?
•What were the Roman punishment options?
•How did information about Rome survive time?
•What is the story of Romulus and Remus?
•What does the name Romulus mean?
•When was Rome founded?
•What is the regal period of Rome?
•How did Rome count the years?
•When did Rome become a Republic?
•What happened to Carthage?
•What did Lucius Cornelius Sulla do?
•Why did Caesar cross the Rubicon?
•What were the reforms of Gaius Gracchus?
•What was the Social War?
•What did the supporters of Spartacus want?
•What was the role of women?
•What were the features of a Roman marriage?
•How did Augustus explain the war against Antony and Cleopatra?
•Who became heir after Augustus?
•What were the characteristics of the emperors after Augustus?
•What did Romans think of adoption?
•What was the succession plan for emperors?
•What was the social status of people living in storied buildings?
•What was work to the average Roman person?
•Did the Romans have a childhood?
•What was the point of a Roman bar?
•What was the point of Hadrian’s Wall?
•Who was Boudicca (or Buduica)?
•How did Rome influence Christianity and vice versa?
•What was the effect of social programs?

Your questions are important and will take priority. If you have questions about the book's content or related ideas, either let me know what your questions are or raise them during the discussion.