Emperor of Rome: in conversation with Professor Mary Beard

It turns out men on TikTok aren’t the only ones thinking about the Roman Empire every day...

Join world-renowned classicist Professor Mary Beard and TikTok historian Mary McGillivray (aka The Iconoclass) as they discuss the relevance of Ancient Rome today and what it is about this classical Empire that continues to captivate minds.

For an exploration into the heart of ancient Rome, world-renowned Classics academic and the author of international bestseller SPQR, Professor Mary Beard will delve into her latest work Emperor of Rome. In this groundbreaking book, Beard shatters the myths surrounding Roman emperors and asks probing questions about their power, the reality of the bloodstained palaces and the nuances of their daily lives.

In a unique twist, Beard will be joined by Mary McGillivray - a TikToker whose passion for art history has captivated audiences worldwide. Together, Beard and McGillivray will unravel the fictions of this famous empire, explore its relationship to the present-day and share reflections on female scholarship in this area.

Don't miss this powerful intergenerational conversation.

Book your ticket now.

This event will be Auslan interpreted. A close captioned Auslan interpreted recording of this talk will be available via the State Library Victoria website after the event.

About Professor Mary Beard

Mary Beard is Professor Emerita of Classics at University of Cambridge, and the classics editor of the Times Literary Supplement. She has worldwide academic acclaim. Her previous books include the bestselling, Wolfson Prize-winning Pompeii, Confronting the Classics, SPQR, Women & Power, Twelve Caesars and most recently Emperor of Rome.

She has made numerous television series and her books have been published in over thirty languages.

About Mary McGillivray

Mary McGillivray (The Iconoclass) is a PhD student at the University of Melbourne and content creator, making visual culture analysis accessible for the next generation. She holds a Masters degree in History of Art and Architecture from the University of Cambridge, and was featured on the Australian’s Arts and Culture 100 for 2022.

Mary has worked with art galleries and cultural institutions across Australia, the UK, and Europe to bring their collections to a massive online audience of highly engaged young viewers. Her collaborations include the UK Art Fund, National Gallery London, Australian Institute for Art History, and the ABC.

About Emperor of Rome

Cruel controllers, diligent workaholics or extravagant teenagers? What were the emperors of Rome really like?

In her international best-seller SPQR, Mary Beard told the thousand-year story of ancient Rome. Now, she shines her spotlight on the emperors who ruled the Roman empire, from Julius Caesar (assassinated 44 BCE) to Alexander Severus (assassinated 235 CE).

Emperor of Rome goes directly to the heart of what it was to be Roman, offering an account of Classical history as it has never been presented before.