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A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Murder in Ancient Rome
By Emma Southon
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Emma Southon's A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum explores the murders, executions, and assassinations that shaped ancient Rome. This engaging history book delves into the daily lives and dark deeds of the Romans with a humorous and insightful tone. It reveals how murder was an integral part of Roman society and politics.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2699
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're interested in the darkly humorous side of Roman history. It offers an entertaining and insightful look at the everyday unexpected deaths in ancient Rome, combining thorough historical research with witty commentary.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

CSI: Ancient Rome – what can everyday killings tell us about the Empire and its people?

CSI: Ancient Rome – what can everyday killings tell us about the Empire and its people?

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum delves into the dark and intriguing world of Ancient Rome, where the best stories are tainted with bloodshed. Romulus, driven by ambition, kills his brother Remus to lay the foundation of Rome. Julius Caesar's assassination is orchestrated in a desperate bid to save the Republic. The theatre becomes a bloody stage where Caligula is brutally butchered, while Claudius is served a deadly dish at dinner. In the heart of the city, Galba is savagely beheaded in the forum. Over a harrowing fifty-year span, twenty-six emperors meet their gruesome end through murder.

Emma Southon masterfully unravels historical murders from Roman history, casting a spotlight on the chilling reality of homicide in a city where entertainment meant watching gladiators fight to the death. She dives deep into these real-life stories, beginning with the perpetrators who wielded the blade, to the victims who felt its cold edge, and further explores how these acts were perceived by the everyday Roman citizens.

Within the book’s pages, readers are invited to explore the complex culture of crime and punishment that defined Ancient Rome. Emma Southon examines the cultural context of Roman violence, offering a unique lens through which to understand their views on life, death, and humanity.

A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is not just a recount of ghastly tales; it is an examination of the social and political undercurrents that made murder an almost accepted facet of Roman life. Through Southon’s engaging and vivid narrative, readers will gain insight into the ancient world, uncovering how the ancient Romans reconciled the acts of murder with their concepts of justice and morality.

This enthralling historical dissection is perfect for anyone fascinated by Ancient Rome, crime history, or the depths of human nature where societal norms clash with brutal reality.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum by Emma Southon is praised for its engaging and irreverent take on murders in Ancient Rome. Reviewers appreciate its blend of scholarly insight with a lively, accessible narrative. It sheds light on bizarre and macabre stories, humanising the Romans while revealing the peculiarities of their society. The book is celebrated for its humour and energetic style, making the era feel immediate and vivid.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780861540518

Publisher: Oneworld Publications

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 September 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Oneworld Publications

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 352

Collections

10 Gifts for Someone Who Loves Ancient Rome Ancient & Classical History Best Sellers at Book Hero Emma Southon European History Gifts $20-$50 History & Archaeology History & Military In Stock Books Non-Fiction

About the Author

Emma Southon is a Bookshop Manager at Waterstones and the author of Agrippina: Empress, Exile, Hustler, Whore, a Best Book of the Year for the New Statesman. Armed with a PhD in Ancient History, she also co-hosts the History is Sexy podcast. She lives in Belfast, with her cat Livia, and tweets @NuclearTeeth. www.emmasouthon.com

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