Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit

In this programme, scholar Mary Beard examines how identity and citizenship operated within the Roman Empire. She follows the life of an African Roman, charting his movement from his native land across the empire to Britain, illustrating the broader questions of belonging in ancient times.

Scholar Mary Beard fronts a programme that offers a thorough examination of identity and citizenship in the Roman Empire. As a recognised classicist, she guides the viewer through the complexities of what it meant to belong to Rome, framing the discussion around the empire’s vast and varied population. The series is presented in a clear, accessible style that keeps the focus on historical realities rather than modern speculation. The heart of the episode follows the life of an African Roman, tracing his movements from his native land all the way to Britain. By charting this individual’s journey, the programme illustrates how concepts of belonging and legal status operated across great distances. The narrative shows how a single person could navigate the empire’s structures, moving between provinces while remaining tied to a Roman identity. Through this personal story, the show highlights the broader picture of how identity and citizenship were negotiated throughout the empire. It uses the African Roman’s experience as a lens to reveal the everyday implications of Roman law and social expectations. In doing so, the programme paints a vivid portrait of a world where cultural and legal ties stretched from the African coast to the far‑western reaches of Britain.