Historian Mary Beard returns to the stage to explore the secret histories of Ancient Rome, connecting Roman politics to the modern world.
Mary Beard is back on stage at York Barbican on Monday 12 October, with More Secret Histories of Ancient Rome. It's her first time returning to the stage since her 2025 tour sold out, so if you missed that one, this is your second chance.
The show is built around the secret histories of Ancient Rome—the stories that usually get pushed aside in favour of the big names. We're talking about the Rome that exists beyond the emperors and the great battles, the quieter, stranger, and often more human side of the city. Beard spends the evening digging into those hidden corners and drawing connections between Roman politics and the world we're living in today, so it's as much about the present as it is about the distant past.
If you've never seen her live, the format is straightforward: Beard on stage, talking through the history. She's spent her career making the ancient world feel accessible, and this is that same approach brought to a live audience. It's aimed at anyone with a curiosity for history, and you don't need to be an expert to get your head around it.
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Practical details: it's on Monday 12 October at 19:30 at York Barbican, and tickets are available from £14.00 to £61.50, with a booking fee on top. There's an age guidance of 12+, so it's one you can bring the younger ones along to if they're into the subject.
