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Mary Beard
Winifred Mary Beard was born on 1 January 1955 in Much Wenlock, Shropshire, the only child of architect Roy Whitlock Beard and junior school headmistress Joyce Emily Beard
Women and Power
This book expands on themes Mary Beard has explored in her academic career and public lectures, particularly her work on classical history and the role of women in ancient societies. It distills some of her broader scholarly insights into a more accessible format.
Mary Beard draws extensively on examples from classical antiquity, particularly ancient Greece and Rome, to illustrate her arguments about the historical roots of misogyny. While it touches on modern examples, its foundational analysis is deeply rooted in the classical world.
The book's distinctiveness lies in its concise, essay-like structure and its direct engagement with classical history to illuminate contemporary issues of gender and power. Mary Beard's expertise as a classicist provides a unique lens through which to examine these persistent societal patterns.