Lessons from a Lost Republic: What Ancient Rome Can Teach Us About This American Moment

by Michelle Berenfeld

A brisk, eye-opening account of the Roman Republic’s fall from democracy to dictatorship and the uncanny parallels to our own perilous political moment—an engaging and learned cautionary tale.

It can happen to us. But it doesn’t have to.

The Roman Republic, like the American one, was founded on the overthrow of a king. It was a system based in the rule of law, with separation of powers among governing bodies, and the right of legal recourse for its citizens. By the time the emperor Augustus came along in 27 BCE, the Republic was ravaged by decades of vicious partisanship, political violence, and the concentration of enormous wealth in the hands of very few. With citizens weary and afraid, Augustus took the opportunity to dismantle the Republic while pretending to restore it.

The Senate and the people of Rome let it happen. They let Augustus accumulate domestic powers that no one person had ever been allowed to wield. They stood by as he exacted retribution upon his enemies, rewrote history, and fashioned an image of himself that had little connection to reality. Romans looked the other way as Augustus manipulated elections, chose his own successor, and founded a monarchic dynasty that would last for more than a millennium.

Americans can and must learn from the Romans’ mistakes. This book offers the tools Americans need to recognize the Augustan methods Donald Trump is already employing and urges them to respond in ways the Romans did not. It considers the damage done to the Roman Republic before Augustus (close calls and returns to ‘normal’ without addressing root causes of disruption, increasing violence in politics, extraordinary wealth of few alongside the precarity of many) and missed opportunities for repair and rebuilding. With hope bolstered by her ironic and quippy sense of civic practicality, Michelle Berenfeld proposes that Rome’s slide into dictatorship was not inevitable and neither is ours. This book asks Americans not to fall for Augustus’s story nor the one being unspooled for us now, reminding us that the U.S. founding fathers saw Augustus and Rome as a cautionary tale and urging us to imagine a different path.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Ancient History, Audiobook

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2026

About the author

Michelle Berenfeld is the John A. McCarthy Professor of Classics at Pitzer College, one of the Claremont Colleges. An archaeologist and fellow of the American Academy in Rome, she has done research in Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Greece, and Italy. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic and numerous scholarly publications. She lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Bungaku Shoujo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite what Berenfeld implies, the fall of the Roman Republic is alive and well in modern American political discourse, even if it’s just concern about an “American Caesar” and sometimes subsumed behind general references to the “fall of Rome”; it’s not as overused a political analogy as Nazi Germany or antebellum America, but it’s up there. What sets Berenfeld apart from other jeremiads, however, is that she’s an actual Roman historian.

Despite this, the book doesn’t read like a sober monograph, a dire warning from a concerned citizen, or even a polemic, mainly because of Berenfeld’s use of a colloquial style that I’m sure she uses to cajole bored undergraduates. Thus, a 1920s scholar was “a nerd”, the second century BCE was a “doozy”, senators should have used their “spidey-sense”, and Caesar “was conquering the heck out of Gaul”. Some levity for a depressing topic is perhaps warranted, but the whole book contains stuff like this, jarring for its aims and presentation. This might make several centuries of war and politics digestible for a general reader, but sometimes the attempts to avoid jargon ended up distorting context– Sulla wasn’t “Dictator for Life” and neither, precisely, was Caesar.

From a historical standpoint, Berenfeld’s interpretation of the Republic’s last days is a pretty standard one, based on the ancient sources, which unfortunately means that the outdated narrative about the second century agrarian crisis is repeated. Generally, however, the reader is in good historical hands, and she even includes some of her own novel interpretations (like how, while Caesar was no saint, nobody had ever tried to oppose him using anything but more violence). Berenfeld also gainfully includes more of the early years of Augustus’ rule than is common in these types of narratives, which sometimes make it seem like he assumed power and then immediately became an old man anxious about who would succeed him. What is even more striking, however, is how selective she is with what she includes. Of course, a short book like this couldn’t possibly have included every major event of the late Republic, and I didn’t expect it to, but many of her omissions were both important in and of themselves and would have supported her arguments.

And so, Caesar’s year as consul in 59 is summarized by some of his legislation and his eventual provincial appointment, without the tumultuous and norm-damaging struggle of trying to get his legislation passed, which involved his co-consul getting covered in shit and spending the rest of the year in his house, briefly arresting an opponent for filibustering, and an experienced politician allegedly falling to his knees after being threatened with implied prosecution. No mention is made of Catiline’s past with Sulla. The eventful years of 58-54 are depicted very sketchily, and Clodius is never even named– the rioting that followed his death and led to Pompey being appointed sole consul is referred to as a “political dispute”. The Perusine war, where Augustus allegedly sacrificed three hundred people on Caesar’s altar, is omitted. Antony’s failed Parthian campaign is given only the briefest of mentions. The narrative is largely one of great men, with the less important players who supported or opposed them, like Curio, Vatinius, or Balbus, subsumed into the anonymous “the senate” or “someone”.

In terms of the lessons of this lost Republic, matters are improved. Berenfeld correctly identifies factors like political violence, giving too much power to one person, and the dangers of setting a precedent for transgressive behavior as contributing to both Rome’s problems and starting to show themselves in America. However, you arguably didn’t need to write a whole book about ancient Rome to say that political violence isn’t good for democracy. As Berenfeld herself notes on some occasions, there are also some pretty important differences between the Roman Republic, the Roman Empire, and modern America that complicates taking the former two as a straightforward model for the latter. Most importantly, politicians surrounding Trump probably do not share Augustus’ contemporaries’ fears that they might literally be killed for stepping out of line, and it’s difficult to use the military to advance your aims when the military doesn’t even like you.

Overall, this is a book with something to say that is better than most of the articles you’ll find online, but it sadly probably won’t end up as a seminal text of the revolution.

[Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lessons From a Lost Republic offers an accessible look at how the Roman Republic unraveled and gave way to empire. The parallels to modern America are intriguing, but I wished the book explored those connections in greater depth. An informative read for anyone interested in history, politics, and the challenges facing democratic institutions.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before the Roman Empire, there was the Roman Republic: a government wherein power was shared, and the people had a voice (well, some of the people). This well-researched history recounts how the Roman Republic lost its spine (I'm looking at you both, Congress and SCOTUS) and fell victim to a series of autocratic rulers who fashioned themselves as Emperors.
While the books is mired in facts, dates, and the names of rulers, the main thread is clear: We cannot assume Democracy will hold.
Read (or listen to) this, and have a few sleepless nights and/or waking nightmares. Seriously, this historical perspective is useful in deciding what we can do and where to place our efforts. I also learned the original of the phrase "crossing the Rubicon" re: a line that shouldn't be crossed and a river that Caesar did cross.
The author does an excellent job narrating the audiobook.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @SpotifyAudiobooks, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #LessonsfromaLostRepublic for review purposes. Publication date: 11 August 2026.

[Catherine Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for advanced copy

Lessons from a Lost Republic is an engaging and accessible examination of one of history's most consequential political transformations. Rather than focusing on the Roman Empire at its height, Michelle Berenfeld turns her attention to the slow collapse of the Roman Republic, showing how institutions, norms, and public trust can erode long before a government formally changes.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its readability. Berenfeld presents complex historical events in a way that is approachable without oversimplifying them. The narrative flows well, and the historical figures feel like real people navigating difficult political realities rather than distant names from a textbook. Readers with little background in Roman history should have no trouble following along, while those already familiar with the period will appreciate the broader perspective and synthesis.

The book also encourages readers to think critically about the relationship between history and the present. Rather than treating the Roman Republic as an isolated case study, Berenfeld explores themes such as political polarization, concentration of power, weakening institutional norms, and the role of civic responsibility. Whether readers ultimately agree with every modern comparison is almost beside the point. The parallels invite reflection and discussion, which is exactly what good history writing should do.

I also appreciated that the book avoids presenting history as inevitable. The emphasis on choices, contingency, and the cumulative effect of small decisions makes the story of the Republic's decline feel especially relevant. It serves as a reminder that democratic institutions are sustained not only by laws but also by the willingness of citizens and leaders to uphold shared norms.

If I had one criticism, it would be that readers looking for a deep, scholarly analysis of late Republican Rome may find the treatment somewhat broad. This is clearly written for a general audience, and at times I would have welcomed more discussion of competing historical interpretations or additional detail on certain events. That said, the concise format keeps the book highly engaging and makes it an excellent introduction to the subject.

Overall, Lessons from a Lost Republic is a thought-provoking and highly readable work of popular history. It succeeds in making ancient Rome feel surprisingly immediate while encouraging readers to consider how societies change over time. I would recommend it to anyone interested in Roman history, political history, or the enduring lessons that the ancient world can offer modern democracies.

[ReviewingTheChapters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michelle Berenfeld’s Lessons from a Lost Republic provides a clear and compelling account of how the Roman Republic gradually moved from representative government toward autocracy. Berenfeld traces this transformation through a series of choices and precedents that accumulated across generations. Her approach makes the history feel immediate and demonstrates how changes that seem limited in their own time can eventually reshape an entire system of government.

Berenfeld also brings the major figures of the late Republic into a continuous narrative that makes their individual roles easier to understand. Their ambitions, rivalries, and responses to periods of instability contributed to an environment in which emergency powers became more common and personal authority increasingly challenged established forms of governance. Each generation inherited the consequences of earlier decisions, giving the book a strong sense of progression as Rome entered the final decades of the Republic.

The connection Berenfeld draws between Rome and the United States adds another dimension to the book. The American founders were deeply familiar with Roman history and drew lessons from both the achievements and eventual fate of its republican government. Exploring this relationship gives greater context to Rome’s lasting influence on American political thought and encourages reflection on the value of civic responsibility, restraint, and the preservation of governing institutions.

Perhaps the book’s greatest invitation to national introspection comes from its emphasis on how difficult major historical turning points can be to recognize as they occur. Temporary measures can establish lasting precedents, while gradual changes may acquire significance only when viewed across generations. Berenfeld’s observation that Rome’s outcome was not predetermined makes this history particularly meaningful and reinforces the responsibility required to sustain representative government.

Lessons from a Lost Republic is a study of Roman history that offers much to consider about the development and endurance of republican government. It deepens one’s understanding of Rome’s final generations while showing why their experiences have remained relevant for centuries. Ultimately, the book demonstrates why the experiences of the Roman Republic continue to resonate centuries later and why the lessons of its history remain worthy of reflection.

[Eliza's Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Lessons From a Lost Republic: What Ancient Rome Can Teach Us About This American Moment” is an impactful, thought-provoking and incredibly timely. Michelle Berenfeld does a remarkable comparison/contrast of the conditions that led to the loss of the Roman Republic and the similarities to the present day political situation in the United States. Except for the constant references of the Roman Empire coming from mostly Male political commentators or politicians when scrolling social media, I never thought about how similar the actions of the present day United States Senate seem to mirror the responses of the Roman Senate before Rome was no longer a Republic. Once I started reading it all made sense and was very unsettling. Our founding fathers knowing the history of the Roman Republic made sure in the writing of the Constitution to prevent the US from falling into autocracy. Berenfeld’s writing style is an engaging easy to follow and witty which makes it an entertaining read. (If you can be entertained reading the blueprint of the demise of your country). One of the really beneficial aspects of the way she organized her book is that she includes a quick recap of events continuously throughout. Because there are so many moving parts and players, especially ones that just up and switch sides for their own personal health/wealth, it is really helpful to be reminded who did what, when and why.

It was also very helpful that the beginning took time to examine and teach what each part of government was and what their duties included. This gave a wonderful foundation to understand the workings and the missteps that took place to let the Republic fall. Reading this book was like watching in realtime the fall of our Republic at the hands of a do nothing Senate. The setup seems eerily similar, huge wealth gap, the wealthy doing everything in their power not to share or help out the rest of society, political violence (storming of the Capitol), the Senate giving blank check to one individual, and normalizing military in the streets of the Capital.

Thank you Michelle Berenfeld and Spiegel & Grau for providing this e-ARC via NetGalley for review. This was definitely a much needed read and I recommend it for everyone including those in high school. 4.5/5

[Catie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lessons from a Lost Republic was an excellent, accessible history that explores Rome’s political transformation from the first century BCE into the first century CE and the rise of Augustus, all through a lens that feels strikingly relevant today. At less than six hours on audio—or just 192 pages in print—it is a relatively short read, but it still manages to feel substantive and thoughtfully developed.

What I appreciated most was how easily digestible the history was. Berenfeld does not assume that the reader already has an in-depth knowledge of Roman history, instead providing enough context to understand the people, events, and political developments while keeping the narrative moving. For much of the book, the parallels between Rome and the United States emerge naturally through the history itself. As Rome’s political norms weakened, institutions were strained, and power became increasingly concentrated, the connections to the present are difficult not to see.

Toward the end of the book, Berenfeld becomes more direct about those parallels, explicitly comparing aspects of Augustus’ Rome with Trump’s America. By that point, though, the historical groundwork has already been laid, so those comparisons feel like a continuation of the book’s larger argument rather than something imposed on the narrative.

Even readers coming to the book without much familiarity with this period of Roman history should have little trouble following the narrative or understanding why this particular moment in Rome’s past feels so relevant now.

The audiobook is narrated by Berenfeld herself, and I thought she did an excellent job. Her narration complements the approachable writing style and made an already engaging history even easier to follow.

This was exactly the kind of history I enjoy: informative and well researched, but written for readers beyond an academic audience. I would absolutely pick up future work from Berenfeld.

Thank you to Michelle Berenfeld, Spotify Audiobooks, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Bryn D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently finished an advanced reader copy of Michelle Berenfeld’s Lessons from a Lost Republic. Written in an accessible, conversational style, the book offers a concise history of the decline of the Roman Republic and its transformation into the Roman Empire, while drawing parallels to America’s political trajectory over the past several decades.

Like many historians and political writers before her, Berenfeld uses figures from antiquity to illuminate the present. In this case, she argues that the rise of Augustus offers lessons for modern America and repeatedly compares Donald Trump to Augustus as a warning that the United States could slide toward an increasingly autocratic form of government if similar trends continue.

Until the final two chapters, I found the book engaging and genuinely thought-provoking. Even though I often disagreed with the author’s conclusions, many of her historical comparisons are interesting and worth considering. However, I also felt that some of her personal commentary—both in the main text and in the footnotes, including describing herself as a “tree-hugging liberal intellectual” (p. 199)—detracted from the historical analysis and made it more difficult for me to take some of her arguments seriously.

My biggest criticism is that the book often seems to start with a modern political conclusion and then selectively draws from centuries of Roman history to support it. While the analogies are frequently insightful, they can also feel overly selective and, at times, stretched to fit the narrative.

Overall, I’d recommend Lessons from a Lost Republic to anyone interested in Roman history or contemporary political thought. You don’t have to agree with the author’s conclusions to appreciate the history or to benefit from considering a perspective different from your own. As a conservative reader, I found parts of the book frustrating, but I also found much of it informative, engaging, and worth reading.

[Jack Reidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lessons from a Lost Republic: What Ancient Rome Can Teach Us About This American Moment

by Michelle Berenfeld

"Lessons from a Lost Republic" by Michelle Berenfeld reviews the transition of the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire, a dictatorship.

Events in the late years of the Roman Republic led to the erosion of democracy because of the accumulation of power by elites, who sought to retain their power and wealth, at the expense of the freedom and liberty of the broader society.

Grants of “emergency” powers slowly but surely shifted how Roman institutions and offices functioned. Extraordinary powers became harder and harder to claw back. Eventually this shift resulted a more power for “the first among equals” who became the man we call Emperor Augustus.

Ironically although the US Constitution used a separation of powers similar, but not identical, to the Roman Republic, that separation does not seem to be working as intended.

For those readers who want a shorter and simpler explanation, a much shorter and simpler article was published in the Atlantic earlier this year

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/arc...


I recommend "Lessons from a Lost Republic" to anyone concerned with preserving our democracy.

It has been said “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it!”

The book is scheduled to be published August 11

[Amy (ReadThisAndSteep) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timely and thought-provoking, this is an interesting and quick read that analyzes the fall of Rome's parallels to modern threats to American democracy.

Berenfeld is a professional archaeologist and the John A. McCarthy Professor of Classics at Pitzer College, and this is clearly well researched, as the author looks at how the Roman Republic was dismantled from within by political choices, concentrated wealth, political violence, and endless wars. The author shows how a small group of elites monopolized wealth and power, gridlocking the government. She then presents modern-day comparisons, all while allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions.

At just under 200 pages, this is not an intimidating read, and it's also written in a really accessible way. It doesn't matter if you don't know much about Roman history. There's enough of it here to illustrate the ideas without bogging you down or making this feel like a dense academic tome. The writing is engaging, and there are some entertaining footnotes. I thought it was fascinating, but frightening, to think about the ways history repeats itself.

[Patrick Hiltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed "Lessons From A Lost Republic" by Michelle Berenfeld. As the title would suggest she goes over the history of the Roman Republic days up through the reign of Augustus. Her particular focus is on the latter days of the Republic with the steps to how it spiraled into becoming an empire (or principate) with steps that could have been reversed along the way. The decline was not inevitable, but rather over time at specific moment legal norms eroded, a culture of political violence was normalized, and the Roman Senate failed to protect their own legal rights and role against the executive. I was particularly struck by the similarities to modern America and I truly hope we can avoid the fate that befell Rome. I think the point of her book is that we can...but we have to actually take the steps to preserve our legal norms, not allow political violence to take hold and root, and we need to resist the expansive executive branch at the expense of the legislature.

I'm grateful to Spotify Audiobooks for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Jen Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lessons from a Lost Republic is a highly readable history of the end of the Roman Republic. Berenfeld's clear and colloquial prose makes the past feel close without ever oversimplifying it. In reminding you how each event and each character sits in their historical context, you really get the sense of how political change can be both sudden and a slow erosion, and how easy it is not to notice how far things have shifted until it's too late.

The parallels with American politics today are definitely there, but never forced. There is always a sense that history didn't have to be this way. This is the story of Rome with moments of reflection; by recognising the turning points in the past it becomes easier to spot them in your present.

Engaging, accessible and absorbing, Lessons from a Lost Republic is a thought-provoking read.

*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*

[Collin Stiglbauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for the ARC!

This is a wonderful tour through the late Roman Republic and early years of the empire, perfect for veteran history buffs and new readers alike.

Berenfeld does an excellent job highlighting the many similarities between our current political situation and the tense days of Caesar and Augustus, while never belaboring the point. Enough context is provided in the text for those unfamiliar with Roman history, but the book remains a quick, easy read, made all the more enjoyable by liberal use of footnotes providing deeper insight or comparisons to the modern age.

The book serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of vesting power in individuals over systems, and points out the many choices Roman officials made along the way to ensure they eventually lost the republic they claimed to serve.

[Kevin B. Jennings · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great primer on the fall of the Roman Republic. It is accessibly written and would be very helpful to those with little knowledge of the topic. (Those who want a more in-depth treatment of the subject should read The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic by Mike Duncan.) The book bogs down a little in its overly-detailed account of Octavian’s rule, but it’s a quick and enjoyable read that draws alarming parallels between what happened in Rome and current events in the US.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so short and detailed and well-researched while also remaining completely accessible. The author does such a great job presenting facts and timelines, and I got a whole new perspective (I studied this area when I was younger).
Where this book excels is where it shows the parallels to the US. Rome lost so much and the US is making the same mistakes. It's like we're failing an open book test.
The narration is great, clear and strong. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this

This is a review of the audiobook.

[Clair Erdman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody should read this book. It actually made me feel less anxious about our country. The last chapter gave a breakdown of steps we can all take to prevent autocracy. The steps are not us versus them (not party related). Common sense for mature thinking people, conservative or progressive.

I suggest adding maps to revive old memory cells of where the various subject matter is located.

[Sharon O'Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice brief history of the end of the Roman Republic and the slide into autocracy (empire). So many people today look to the Roman Empire as something to be emulated but this book takes a hard look at what went wrong (and is going wrong today) that caused the loss of democracy.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars* Late Roman Republic meets Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny, and let's face it, the late republic is endlessly more fascinating that the "Rome Bros" obsession with Augustus and Aurelius.

[T.J. Wiess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting history of Rome ✅️
Written in a fun/cool history teacher format that keeps your attention ✅️
Not too on the nose about parallels ✅️
Footnotes that made me laugh ✅️

[Lottie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75⭐️

Very insightful analysis on lessons the US can learn from the Roman Empire

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have liked this to be longer and with even more detail, but it was a good short read.

[Bob Almond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating look at how history can & often does repeat itself. But only if we, the people, let it.

[Samantha Orszulak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

The author did a great job of creating a condensed history of ancient Roman politics while connecting how it’s not all that different from today’s politics in the US. I think readers should have a decent understanding of our current political climate and know of recent news, especially those concerning our Constitution. The author could have done a better job at weaving that into the history versus in the conclusion.

Notable lessons that I took away are the parallels between the wealthy elite of ancient Rome and today’s oligarchic billionaires; the kowtowing of the Roman Senate and our current ineffective and highly partisan Congress; the descent into an emperor-led society and the increasing executive power given to the President.

History tends to repeat itself and this book demonstrates how history isn’t changed by one person, but by a system and the inaction of its participants.