We meet with images and history of ancient Rome in science, literature, art. But how close to reality are our ideas about the era on which all Western civilization is based? The world's leading specialist in the ancient history of Mary Bird in his book "SPQR: The History of Ancient Rome" explains, why do we care so much about Roman history, how small, no notable town in central Italy has become an empire of three continents. The name "SPQR" is a аббревиатура Latin expression Senatus Populus Que Romanus, meaning the Senate and the people of Rome. The Senate has given the name of modern legislative assemblies around the world. SPQR is a book about Rome and how it preserved its domination for centuries in a row, about his residents, Emperor and conspiracy. Describing the relationship between power and human, political structure and conflicts, formation of statehood and Empire, famous and unknown Romans, the author through scientific data destroys myths. The presentation of the history of ancient Rome begins with the middle of the I Century. Do n. E., when Rome was already an extensive metropolis with more than a million inhabitants, from the herd of the coup and the description of the star hour of Cicero. And ends with the culmination moment when in 212. Emperor karakallah gave all free inhabitants of the Roman Empire the right of full Roman citizenship, destroying the differences between the winners and the defeated. Why the book is worthy of reading.-Here is all the best that the reader can find in popular scientific literature: A deep and comprehensive knowledge of the subject, a magnificent language, a feeling of pulsation of everyday life.-with the increase in the number of finds found in the soil, Underground waters and even in libraries, the historiography of ancient Rome has undergone strong changes in the last 50 years. The book contains current scientific data.-This book is a historical performance, the connection between the past and the present. It's amazing how many similar events and parallels with today's reader will find in the history of ancient Rome.