How The Roman Empire Was Built On Brutality & Fratricide | Rome: Empire Without Limit | Timeline

Mary Beard reaches back to the myths and legends of the origins of Rome to gain an insight into the deep-rooted psyche of the people of Rome - a city born through fratricide and r***. But from the very beginning, Rome was also an asylum for outcasts and exiles and because of this, it adopted a uniquely inclusive approach towards its neighbours and defeated enemies. The expansion of the city brought territory in first in Italy and Sicily, where Rome first came head to head and eventually defeated her great rival, Carthage.
Mary then travels to Greece, where Rome adopted a complex mix of brute force and cultural cringe, and France, where she finds evidence of war methods akin to outright genocide. In typical myth-busting style, Mary argues that the period of greatest Roman expansion occurred when Rome itself was little more than a provincial backwater, a shanty town of mud and brick. The marble, monumental Rome we know came about because of imperial conquest - not the other way round. And likewise, the creation and possession of an empire transformed the politics of Rome forever, creating the conditions for one-man rule, and ending the centuries-old Roman Republic.
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[@RumMonkeyable]

Dr. Beard has many fans and a few critics. One critic recently posted that “she was too ugly to be on television”. She isn’t a fashionista (except for her phenomenal choice of shoes), doesn’t wear make-up or style her hair, and travels by bicycle most of the time. So, why do we like her? She is genuine, honest, and brilliant. She has opened the history of Rome like no other academician by the thorough presentation of facts and information. We like her because she tells it like it is (or was). She makes us think. Bravo, Dr. Beard, and thank you for helping us learn about ancient Rome, its peoples, and customs.

[@dawnsellitti7968]

I’m a glam girl lol, doesn’t mean my fav historian needs to be one. Love Mary Beard👏🏻

[@keithcalder521]

Pity she hasn’t had her lips filled with Botox, then she could look like the brainless fungi called ‘celebrities’ who’ve never done anything more than stuck their own mug in front of a camera and pouted. Thanks Mary, for doing something useful by educating the rest of us.

[@MrAhiggs1]

Mary Beard is far more knowledgeable, accomplished and radiant than the person who made those dispicable comment could ever dare to aspire to.

[@ladyzapzap9514]

If a person’s main critic of a historian is “they’re not pretty enough to be on TV”then i doubt they have an idea of what a historian actually does. XD

[@stephenlight647]

If you love finding out about what a modern Lefty thinks about all the peoples of the past from her perch as a representation of our Very Moral Present, then sure, she’s your favorite. If you actually want to understand the past and the peoples who navigated their OWN times….not so much.

[@AledPritchard]

More of this series please. Mary Beard is bloody brilliant, fantastic, engaging, and I love watching her.

[@slbgray2743]

Mary aligns a lot and draws one into each part of each video. Captivating diction and punctuating on character studies. She is truly admirable.

[@L.C.Sweeney]

I love how casually she just reads Latin. I know very intelligent people who have studied classics (and hence Latin) at uni and they say that almost all graduates really struggle to just read Latin without having to decipher it

[@shadowk3]

Rosetta Stone has a class ;)

[@robinanna5531]

Interesting! Thanks for making me feel smart with my schoolgirl GCSE Latin!

[@mickeybecraft5965]

Mary you are a world treasure. You have a way of giving a highly visible imprint in ones mind when you explain past civilizations . Almost like you were their. Your brilliant.

[@gorcirithiel]

Mary Beard is an absolute Legend!

[@GIBBO4182]

Love Mary Beard talking about Rome, Joann Fletcher is equally as enthusiastic in her Egyptian documentaries if anyone is interested. Well worth a watch

[@Dragon-Lady]

I second that. I hadn't seen Mary Beard before, but she seems pretty good. I've watched lots of videos with Joann Fletcher and she always delivers.

[@robertferguson533]

Thanks. I’m going to check her out too

[@flashgordon6670]

Do I detect a crush?

[@elizabethfrance3237]

I've got both Mary Beard and Joanne Fletcher mixed in with episodes of Time Team. Add in my daily fix of brown bears catching salmon at Brooks Falls in Katmai, Alaska and I have no time left for politics or the fear-mongering national news!

[@OtaBengaBokongo]

she's a silly brit liberal

[@wedgeantilles8575]

IMO one important feature was the Roman mindset. They just never gave up. Best shown in the Punic wars. A fleet was destroyed by a storm? Well, they build another fleet. An army was crushed by Hannibal? They raised a second one. The second army was crushed? They raised an even bigger one. The biggest army in known history until then was destroyed again at Cannae? Well, Rome adjusted - but never gave up. How many cities / empires would have been able to survive such horrendous defeats? And not a single one, but several in short order? The last one on a scale unimaginable, with a death toll and a death ratio rarely - if ever - seen before? Another tale - I am not sure if this is an anecdote that is true or if this really happened - was a siege of a city by a roman general. The city boasted that it had supplies for 10 years. The general said: I'll take the city in 11 years then. The city surrendered, because it knew that this was exactly what the romans would do. Like I said, not sure if this is true or just a tale. Possible elaborated, but the core is definitly plausible. The Romans were determined and stubborn, they just kept going until finally the enemy would crumble. They never doubted that they would be victorious in the end. No matter if you call this stupidity, courage, bravery, determination or insanity - IMO it was what made Rome (a small and insignificant town for a long time) to the most powerful and longest enduring empire in human history. And one that worked very well for most of its inhabitants. Technological advancement, material wealth, security - everything increased through Rome. So overall it was an empire that was very beneficial for those they conquered. Which is the only way an empire can exist for this long.

[@frederickhart2242]

Omg awesome narration.....love your voice and the way you explain everything..love it love it love it

[@ereynoldful3974]

Mary Beard, Joann Fletcher (Miss Frizzle of Egyptologists!) And Suzana Lipscomb are my fave female historians Mary Beard brings you right into the story she's telling you and is so passionate about what she's teaching you.

[@flashgordon6670]

Alright down boy!

[@ereynoldful3974]

@@flashgordon6670 well I'm a woman but i admit I was a little excited .....about history 😁

[@dahjeekwenglee5909]

@@ereynoldful3974 Haha excellent

[@martiwilliams4592]

So very, very true!!!!!!!

[@flashgordon6670]

@@ereynoldful3974 a lezza eh?

[@hhunstad2011]

The boat rams in the sea were incredible, what an amazing experience.

[@AledPritchard]

The opening 3 minutes offers so much. You must include the whole series! It’s too much of a tease if you don’t.

[@jyotivig3666]

Thank you Prof. Beard for a great series.

[@martiwilliams4592]

Yes! Thanks to Mary Beard and Joann Fletcher for making history so acessable to all and relevant to our present time. Much appreacated!

[@spikedpsycho2383]

All civilizations are built on foundations with blood as mortar.

[@connor3284]

“This is the nature of war, whose stake is at once the game and the authority and the justification. Seen so, war is the truest form of divination. It is the testing of one's will and the will of another within that larger will which because it binds them is therefore forced to select. War is the ultimate game because war is at last a forcing of the unity of existence.War is god.” -Cormac McCarthy

[@johkkarkalis8860]

Sadly true. The founder of Rome was allegedly the son of Mars, who killed his brother in a tiff over property rights - a portent of things to come. With all the bloodletting and the crazy rulers Rome managed to survive for centuries. Not a bad track record. The interesting and informed responses whenever the subject of Rome is discussed tells me that it remains an endlessly fascinating topic. I have or will be reading "Dynasty" by Tom Holland, "Memoirs of Hadrian" by Marguerite Yourcenar. I have on order "SPQR" by the current lecturer. That's my addiction, I guess.

[@momv2pa]

Very, very interesting. Mary Beard is the best at telling these stories.

[@Kudal196]

Love Mary Beard.....Her Presentation Keeps My Attention...Leads To Easier Learning.

[@voraciousreader3341]

No, it’s just the _illusion_ of learning….the only way to truly learn about anything is to _READ ABOUT IT._ Do you really think that, when Dame Mary mentions a few sentences of Caesar’s book, that it’s as good as actually reading them yourself?!? Do you have any idea how many books _she_ has read-in the original Latin and Greek-to be able to expound so easily about her subject?? Having watched this one video, are you now able to sit down with her and have a discussion about Rome’s development? “Easier learning”!! You’re really not learning anything at all! And you don’t know it!

[@AledPritchard]

Mary Beard is wonderful ❤

[@cabbage0dusk]

Great documentary, grateful it wasn't put behind a paywall!

[@murrayscott9546]

Yet what we all know but fail to learn is . . . empires fall.

[@user-uy9dv1rz6j]

Mary, you rock! Can’t get enough of your documentaries!!!!❤

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

It was an informative and thrilled historical coverage video ...thank you for sharing

[@adampowell5376]

Romulus and Remus is similar to the Cain and Abel story.

[@petersonmoyane8351]

Best history teller of all time

[@Matt.4877]

Really enjoyed your talk with Richard herring in Colchester - thank you for the book signing

[@julianshepherd2038]

List of empires not based on brutality is very, very small. Invisible if you don't count the biscuits.

[@voraciousreader3341]

That’s not the point of this tiny slice of history….her knowledge of her subject is so vast that she can distill it endlessly for general consumption.

[@leonardturner6659]

Great documentary by Mary Beard very easy to watch I loved it. Leo BC Canada

[@MrSatyre1]

Gotta love me some concrete, straight roads, aqueducts and low crime!

[@biobeckerrr]

Excellent documentary! Funny thing: every time Dr Beard says "Romans" it reminds me of The Life of Brian 🤭🥰

[@neutralino1905]

You can have an interest in Rome without admiring or excusing their wrongdoings.

[@mdsaxc02]

Yeah but most don't because they see what they want to see from history. That is how Caesar and Napoleon have rockstar status among history enthusiasmists they never account the human suffering they cause.

[@connor3284]

Wrongdoings from what perspective? Are you even religious? Do you even have an eternal, objective basis for judging human moral behavior?

[@mdsaxc02]

@@connor3284 Rome ruled by fear say no to the Senate or emperor and the legions come and kill EVERYTHING!!! Dogs and cats livestock Man woman and child except the lucky ones who were chosen to be a slave for life. Yeah that perspective.

[@isitme5669]

What did Rome do wrong? I came I saw I conqueded Might is right.

[@mdsaxc02]

@@isitme5669 historians was very bias they only tell u the good never the evil which is why America a nation that fought an king is an evil empire of today. U have to talk about unpleasant side of great men too. Yes they do great things also evil things as well.

[@sh3940]

This is so good!

[@dustyfish]

Brilliant doc! ❤❤❤

[@efeocampo]

As ALL Empires... It is impossible to build an Empire WITHOUT abusing and humiliating other Peoples...

[@valor101arise]

It's often impossible to have a family that doesn't humiliate and abuse one another 😅

[@nnicollan]

Fratricide means killing your brother/sister

[@SeanHogan_frijole]

Empires are never voluntary

[@Nighthawk799]

Do you always see the negative sides in things?

[@voraciousreader3341]

Why was this uploaded again?? It’s been on Timeline for years!

[@arissarkides1380]

There are incredibly beautiful videos by Schwerpunkt talking about these topics in detail. I've always had the impression that even the most "popular" scholars often talk by bending to a generalistic audience and not getting the actual deal of traditional history for how they saw it really like

[@Nighthawk799]

Thank you for giving the name of Schwerpunkt!! Amazing videos indeed on subjects also rarely treated on line!! Thank you again! I will enjoy many hours of history!!😊

[@voraciousreader3341]

“….by bending to a generalistic [not a word, by the way] audience _and not getting the actual deal of traditional history for how they saw it really like”_ Did they also teach you to write?!?

[@voraciousreader3341]

@@Nighthawk799 There isn’t a documentary series on earth which can take the place of books. They make you _feel_ educated, but you’re not. Unless, of course, this channel or whatever it is can simultaneously show different interpretation of events, different points of view, so that the person watching can get enough of a grasp of the subject matter to discern the weaknesses and strengths inherent in the presentations. In other words, history-or any other subject-via documentaries is the laziest “learning” there is.

[@Nighthawk799]

@@voraciousreader3341 oh! Absolutely!! No documentary can take the place of a good book! However I often ended up reading a book after watching videos or listening to a conference on the subject .

[@katherinecollins4685]

Really informative

[@benhoch9967]

"Brother killing brother" sounds a lot like Cain and Abel.

[@johnsieverssr8288]

Great show.

[@ENIGMAXII2112]

Mary, Mary, Mary, Oh Dear Mary... The empire west did not stop at Spain, it went all the way to Portugal.. Please me Dear, stop leaving us out..

[@cojaysea]

No one does Rome like Beard .

[@christopher3d475]

Brilliant series.

[@jodiethierry4994]

Thanks!

[@bradrichards8122]

Remeber folks, despite the great astetics, Odyssey is just infotainment. Closer to fiction than fact. Odyssey is to documentary as the History Channel is to history.

[@GermanGreetings]

I love your style, Grand Lady !

[@Rocanala]

Roman and British history are bloody and brutal. Well done!

[@pikiwiki]

Ooh. that was a good one

[@RubyMarkLindMilly]

Love anything to do with Rome fascinating part of history

[@oldmanballer5088]

If I had had professors like this wonderful lady I probably would’ve graduated college. Instead of leaving because I was bored out of my mind!

[@julianshepherd2038]

I would have larked about anyway.

[@voraciousreader3341]

What, you wanted professors who took you to the places studied and to give you personal tours? Come on! You dropped out bc you couldn’t be bothered, and now blame it on your teachers! They apparently didn’t get the memo that they were supposed to _entertain_ their students, to spoon feed them bc the students simply weren’t interested. Mary Beard in her tutorials follows the same pattern, so it wouldn’t have made much difference, bc you’d still have had to master Latin and Greek. When you go to university, you’re on your own, it’s the first test of adulthood.…..you either take advantage of everything it has to offer scholastically, or you squander your precious opportunity.

[@leilakhenancha4327]

Mary comes in Constantine Algeria searching one of those Roman Empire 👤 it's lovely to read

[@adampowell5376]

The Irish were a very clever people. They had an Empire all over the world and were clever enough to let the British think they were running it!

[@bealtainecottage]

True! The Irish diaspora is an empire of a much beloved people!

[@justinmas299]

That was cool

[@professorsogol5824]

Does the convention of placing a blank space between words go back to the very beginning of Latin writing? The epitaph of Scipio Barbatus follows this convention. How much further into the past can this practice be traced?

[@patdowney9454]

She’s just like one of the family, she’s an absolute treasure 😊

[@penkaqncheva5599]

Субтитри на български език, моля!

[@ronalddesiderio7625]

They used the roads for the armies to travel on . So they could conquer through brutality

[@davidbarr9343]

You don't conquer anything by being a wimp.

[@HouseJawn]

How did the British set the standard for dramatic documentary hosts? 😆

[@ktom5262]

Oh yeah? Who does it better, then? Nobody.

[@stephanotr]

what street is that piece of wall at 14:33 ?

[@danidesip2432]

"Honey, one of those history buffs if filming another documentary around our home again dear" "Ugh, they will go away soon"

[@larsfinlay7325]

Mary Beard is the Steve Irwin of ancient and classical history and archaeology.

[@monikagrosch9632]

Why is Caesar always maligned ? Pompey was the one that broke most of the ( unwritten ) rules

[@rolandrabier5984]

I think Rome expended during the Republic, the Empire did not gain much but managed to keep the unity while limping for another 500 years.

[@melissaboprie3182]

Yeah, all the guys on the ship that found it tried that helmet on

[@grantrizmo2002cb]

Mary Beard is the greatest!

[@DaRyteJuan]

24:51 _”Whoever wore this helmet must’ve had a bigger head than me. Or else there must’ve been a lot of padding in it.”_ Well, DUH. If you were wearing that helmet without the leather supports, one crack of a sword, and you’d suffer a concussion. 🗡️🧠

[@aquilesboy198]

Tio timeline por favor puedes poner subtitulos en español

[@marquitoclash7657]

Rome❤Mary Beard!

[@taylorlibby7642]

You say that like it's a bad thing. Seems like a pretty solid basis for a realtionship.😂🤣

[@melissaboprie3182]

Mary is the absolute best

[@jamesberonja1539]

Rome worked for centuries. It was a great and succesful empire.

[@alexstone3349]

And now we're still dealing with these romans brutality in america.

[@connor3284]

If only we were crucifying criminals along major highways!

[@stacyanmarie1]

God always works even bad behaviors into good deeds ... and new migrations. 2 more years in Mommyville... then I rise as myself. So inspired ... thank you!

[@Mis-AdventureCH]

So Romulus was some kind of David Koresh??

[@stuka80]

LOL @ the title of the video

[@_robustus_]

Cain and Abel weren’t twins but…

[@1319papi]

excellent but spoilt by very intrusive elevator music

[@saigonmonopoly1105]

it was a highway stranger coming in the current n some made impact u write about

[@Fadem12forReal]

Mary Beard is my aunt!

[@janklaas6885]

📍34:30

Ancient Romans, instead of dancin' they shoud have been fishing, brother Brutus, long live Brutus., Thanx aunt Mary.

[@saigonmonopoly1105]

1 st river then town city how 2 boys grow that slow? back then most never see outside the shire....aged 30-45

[@asabattista]

Just like every empire

[@KangaKucha]

Roman Empire was build on brutality... WELL DUH!!! Heck, what Empire hasn't?

[@voraciousreader3341]

Well! You certainly put Dame Mary Beard in her place! The point you apparently missed is the particularly _Roman_ type of brutality, which was far more successful to any other empire of that or previous ages.

[@fanroche8573]

I though the lacus curtius memorial represented roman heroism not the sabines? all confused :)

[@saigonmonopoly1105]

island tree forest ueurope marsh not much in cold climate

[@horrendouscauldronofsalt7111]

an cozy d'cmntry

[@robertkees6048]

OK, sorry for this question, but was she the same person that drank with James May on Top Gear?

[@zzp1]

I have alway great admiration for academics speaking in a normal way. The whole Rome circus is for non Latinists difficult to explore. The question is if the Rome from ancient times is so much different of the today's politics. Maybe a little bit less violent, but nontheless without any respect for anyone. So bringing us close to what possibly moved the Romans is no bad issue at all.

[@saigonmonopoly1105]

yes they yell out or bang drum hence chicken

[@bucksolo703]

Marys has a lucky husband lol. I wish my wife loved to talk about Rome and Julius Ceasar and everything about ancient times. I would marry her in a second lol.

[@goncalomeneses5611]

I would suggest a title for a program for everyones lives: "How I came to life causing so much physical pain to my own mother". As if pain and adversity were not part of life 🤣🤣🤣...

[@ShaneVonRussell]

AVE CAESAR!

[@balancius8381]

Why is this story of boy in the river repeating everywhere!?

[@Robdizzle2010]

I had to click on this video once I realized who the historian was!

[@clivebaxter6354]

Never listen to anyone who uses BCE instead of BC!

[@dlalwon1]

"Improvisation, good luck, greed, ambition" where is adaptation? She makes it sound like they were just half assing it and getting lucky for centuries, as if they weren't doing anything better.

[@bobharford5643]

Why the need for combining a documentary with a loud symphony?

[@TheCosmicGuy0111]

Jezz

[@saigonmonopoly1105]

all night torch bearer walkin around and shut you in n count hour past for how many more to go out not wake....they have city wall weapon pack gaurd stand waiting them yell n pound on any not inside while no one get inside n must await gate open time out in

[@RobertHouse101]

I think the British and French accents are the most beautiful sounds known to man. But why are their no twangy, raspy, profane Americans making documentarys like this any more? There are significant differences in cultural views.

[@chrisyoung7290]

I love this, but I wish she wouldn't talk about democracy in the context of the Roman Republic, even before the plebeian secession and the establishment of the Tribunate. It really wasn't ever democratic in any meaningful sense.