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12 Caesars: How Ancient Roman Power Images Still Rule the World Today

Twelve Caesars: Images of Power from the Ancient World to the Modern

Mary Beard

Ever wondered why the faces of Roman emperors still stare at us from statues, coins, and even modern political portraits? In this video, we dive into Mary Beard's fascinating book 'Twelve Caesars: Images of Power from the Ancient World to the Modern'. Beard reveals how the visual propaganda of Rome's first 12 emperors—from Julius Caesar to Domitian—has shaped our understanding of power, leadership, and even celebrity for over 2,000 years. She shows how these ancient images were copied, adapted, and weaponized by everyone from Renaissance artists to modern dictators. You'll learn the shocking truth: that many famous 'portraits' of Caesar or Nero are actually later inventions, and that our obsession with 'authentic' images of rulers is a Roman invention. By the end, you'll see every political statue, coin, or portrait in a new light—and understand why the Caesars still rule our visual imagination.