The Roman Empire Got It Right: From Stoicism to Strapless Bikinis, 413 Genius Innovations and Ideas that Still Matter Today

by Steven Marr

Ancient wisdom. Modern relevance. Enduring genius.

The Roman Empire’s brilliance is far from ancient history. The Roman Empire Got It Right is your passport to the past that built the future—from engineering marvels like aqueducts, concrete, and sewer systems to groundbreaking advances in health care, law, language, and even your favorite guilty pleasures (street food and wine bars may be its highest achievements). Discover the surprising ways ancient Rome shaped the modern

- Architectural feats like domes, amphitheaters—oh, and bathrooms
- The secret that transformed elections forever
- Rules of law that flipped the script on justice
- Organizing principles from calendars to street layouts
- Torch signals that functioned just like text notifications
- Epic entertainment events—from “ultimate” boxing to stadium sea battles

Whether you’re a history buff, a trivia fan, or just curious about why ancient Rome stays on our minds, this book delivers centuries of genius in one engaging read.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2025

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 5-star book has been marketed as “your passport to the past that built the future.” I originally thought this would be a great book to read with my niece and nephew, but I don’t know that it’s going to make it off my coffee table. It’s engaging and organized into perfect ‘bite-sized’ info chunks. It’s easy to set down and pick up when you have a moment!

It’s organized into 9 chapters that reveal the surprising ways ancient Rome shaped our modern world.

Some of the interesting things you’ll read about:
-the secret that transformed elections forever
-torch signals that functioned just like text notifications


My favourite entry is titled ‘Perks of reclining dining’ exploring the idea that the Roman elites were onto something.

“Modern research suggests that lying on your left side reduces pressure on the antrum, the lower part of the stomach, which helps you prevent that ‘overstuffed’ feeling after a big meal.”

Kind of like unbuttoning your jeans after Thanksgiving dinner, but more stylish, right?

Roadtripping or flying this summer? This would be a perfect book to pop into your child’s backpack or leave in the back seat. I think I’ll be buying a copy for my niece and nephew as I don’t want to part with this great book.

I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Darcia Helle · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I think of the Roman Empire, the first things that come to mind are gladiators, war, and insane leaders like Caligula and Nero. But wait, the Romans were innovative, insightful, and had incredible foresight!

I love that the content is divided into categories, then into fun and informative snippets of information. This is the kind of book you can sit with for five minutes or an hour.

*Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the free copy!*

[Cindy Huskey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listen, I cracked this book open expecting a dry "blah blah aqueducts" lecture—and instead, I got an entire TED Talk about how the Romans basically beta-tested modern life. Concrete? Check. Elections? Check (with bonus corruption). Street food and wine bars? Big fat check—truly the only legacy that matters.



Steven Marr walks us through Rome’s greatest hits: roads, sewer systems, legal systems, texting (ok, it was torch signals, but honestly, same energy), and stadium events so chaotic they make modern sports look like polite tea parties. You think your favorite boxer is tough? Try fighting someone while also avoiding being set on fire by a chariot.

However, while the book is packed with fascinating tidbits, it occasionally feels like a trivia night on steroids. The sheer volume of information can be overwhelming, and some sections might leave you wishing for a bit more depth. But hey, if you're looking for a comprehensive overview of Roman ingenuity, this book delivers.

Was there a little bit of repetition? Sure. Was I mad about it? No. Because every time I started zoning out, the book would basically shout "AND THEN THEY FLOODED A WHOLE ARENA TO REENACT SEA BATTLES" and I was violently sucked back in.

Overall: A chaotic, hilarious reminder that humans have always been extra, messy, and way too obsessed with building things bigger than necessary. Side note: I would move to ancient Rome—if they had invented iced coffee.

[Birdie.Recommends · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snippet: The Romans were doing things thousands of years ago that still show up in our daily routines.
From how we govern to how we relax—they were ahead of their time.

Snippet: What started in togas now shows up in tech, trends, and thought.
It’s wild how much of modern life echoes ancient habits.

Snippet: Everyday conveniences? Many were born in Rome.
We just gave them a modern spin.

Steven Marr’s The Roman Empire Got It Right is a smart, witty, and surprisingly relevant reminder that innovation isn’t new—it’s just evolving.

Favorite section? “Living the Good Life.”
This chapter brings ancient joy to life, showing how the pursuit of comfort, beauty, and fun has always been part of the human experience.

Biggest takeaway:
We owe more to the Romans than we realize—and their legacy is everywhere.

Perfect for:
Anyone who loves connecting the past to the present, with a little humor along the way.

Thank the Romans for:
The foundation. The spark. The surprisingly modern ideas that continue to shape our world.

Thank you to the author, Castle Point Books & Goodreads for a chance to read an early ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for choosing me.

Although all of the information wasn't necessarily new to me, I did learn a few new things that the Romans did for the human race. It was interesting, the chapters and the layout made it easy to read, kept it engaging and made for a fun reading experience.

I'm pretty sure anyone who comes across this book will step away having learned a thing or two.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modernly conversational in tone, bite-sized and well organized for small-sitting consumption, and with an index of relevant historical context at the beginning, it’s hard to go wrong with ‘The Roman Empire Got it Right.’

It might just turn the Roman Empire into your Roman Empire.

Thanks deeply to Castle Point Books for the opportunity to read an early copy of ‘The Roman Empire Got It Right’ in exchange for an honest review!

[Deseray Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

a thoroughly good book packed with wonderful trivia about the Romans. it's exactly what it sets out to be. I like the layout, and I like the short but sweet little chunklets of trivia. the information is easy to understand and very reader friendly. it's the right length and would make a fantastic bathroom read. I would recommend this to anyone with even a vague interest in Roman culture.

[Becky of Becky's Bookshelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed reading the different topics featured about the empire. You can pick up the book and turn to any page an learn something new. I recommend for learning about the Roman Empire, learning more about history, or just expanding your horizons. An interesting read.

I was given a copy and not required to write a positive review.

[Lauren Abel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was filled with very informative Roman inventions and ideas that we still even use to this day. I didn't realize that so many things we use on a daily basis The Romans created and used. I really liked how the book was split in different sections like food and drink to science and math. This is my honest review from an advanced copy I received

[Catherine Dimola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads. It’s a quick read. I found it quite interesting how the Romans did things so long ago, some things being quite advanced for the time and things we still use today