Classics professor Dame Mary Beard was a bright child, who was bumped up a year at school, went on archaelogical digs as a teen, and studied classics at Newnham College. After completing her PhD, Mary taught at King’s College in London, before returning to Cambridge - where she remained for nearly forty years.

During her long academic career, Mary has written many best-selling books. When her 2008 book on Pompeii won the prestigious Wolfson History Prize, she became the star of her own BBC television programme. The first of many documentaries, in which Mary's passion for the past is infectious - and which have helped raise her status to that of national treasure.

Mary’s latest series is for BBC Radio 4. Being Roman looks at six intriguing individuals who lived in the heyday of imperial power and it follows hot on the heels of a brand new book Emperor of Rome.

In this conversation, Mary reflects on her brilliant career, the skills to be gained from studying classics, and what we can learn about democracy and leaders (past and present).

Related links:

Meet The Romans with Mary Beard (BBC TV documentary)

Mary's other books

Mary's TLS column A Don's Life

Marcus Aurelius' Meditations

The Boudicca statue on Victoria Embankment

Galen - one of the most famous figures from the ancient world (that you may not know)

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