Ten Caesars by Barry Strauss

Barry Strauss’s Ten Caesars is the story of the Roman Empire from rise to reinvention, from Augustus, who founded the empire, to Constantine, who made it Christian and moved the capital east to Constantinople. During these centuries Rome gained in splendour and territory, then lost both. The empire reached from modern-day Britain to Iraq, and gradually emperors came not from the old families of the first century but from men born in the provinces, some of whom had never even seen Rome. 

In the imperial era Roman women—mothers, wives, mistresses—had substantial influence over the emperors, and Strauss also profiles the most important among them, from Livia, Augustus’s wife, to Helena, Constantine’s mother. But even women in the imperial family faced limits and the emperors often forced them to marry or divorce for purely political reasons. 

Rome’s legacy remains today in so many ways, from language, law, and architecture to the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. Strauss examines this enduring heritage through the lives of the men who shaped it: Augustus, Tiberius, Nero, Vespasian, Trajan, Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, Septimius Severus, Diocletian and Constantine. Over the ages, they learned to maintain the family business—the government of an empire—by adapting when necessary and always persevering no matter the cost.

Barry Strauss is the chair of the history department and a professor of classics at Cornell University and has written many other books on antiquities history.

I am not normally a reader of non-fiction, however I do enjoy history and when I saw this thought it would be an easy read to reintroduce myself to the ancient world of Rome. Covers the time period from 27BC through to 548AD. I was very impressed! This book is not a comprehensive history of the Roman emperors, rather it takes historical figures and presents them to us as real people with real problems and issues, albeit theirs had a tendency to end in bloodshed and death.

Each chapter considers a single Roman emperor starting with Augustus and ending with Constantine. It paints an overall picture of their most important characteristics, styles of rule and how they furthered (or ruined) Rome’s power. Their early life/career is considered and then it goes on to talk about their rise to power and rule as emperor. I also enjoyed how the role of the women in these men’s lives impacted on them and their rule.

It was the type of book you could freely dip in and out of as you pleased. It was great book, engaging and well-written. I would recommend it for anyone who has an interest in ancient Rome and doesn’t want to get bogged down in intricate details.

Provides a considerable source of bibliographies to consult if you feel like doing any further reading, along with family trees and a cast of characters so you can keep track of everyone.


Reviewed by Mya 

Catalogue link: Ten Caesars