Behind Caesar's Back

This audiobook delves into how ordinary Romans interacted with their emperors through gossip, rumors, jokes, and protests over more than seven centuries of history. Using ancient sources like graffiti, letters, and songs, it reveals how public discourse shaped perceptions of imperial authority, portraying emperors as figures of stability, justice, or human fallibility. The book highlights the active engagement of Romans in political life, even outside formal institutions, and shows how their everyday conversations influenced the legacy of their rulers.