I read it a few years ago after listening to the Duncan podcast and reading a bunch of archeology papers. I'm definitely no classicist, and don't read Latin but

I read it a few years ago after listening to the Duncan podcast and reading a bunch of archeology papers. I'm definitely no classicist, and don't read Latin but have a passing interest in the history. I think some of here dismissals are well founded and other experts agree. I think the weakness of the book is that it leans heavily on pronouncement of unknowability. But I really like that she treats the reader like a smart person and presents conflicting and complicated information as is, and lets you mull it over. It isn't a perfect book, but it's very readable, informative, and seems to be well regarded. I was on a Rome kick at the time and didn't find anything that seemed to be completely out of left field.