A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Title: A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Author: Emma Southon
European History: 1689085
ISBN: 9781419753060
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Published: 2022
Binding: Paperback
Language: English
Section: History | Ancient | Rome
Condition Note: New from the publisher
Publisher Description: In Ancient Rome, all the best stories have one thing in common--murder. But what did killing mean in a city where gladiators fought to the death to sate a crowd?

In A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Emma Southon examines a trove of real-life homicides from Roman history to explore Roman culture, including how perpetrator, victim, and the act itself were regarded by ordinary people. Inside Ancient Rome's darkly fascinating history, we see how the Romans viewed life, death, and what it means to be human.

Romulus killed Remus to found the city, Caesar was assassinated to save the Republic. Caligula was butchered in the theater, Claudius was poisoned at dinner, and Galba was beheaded in the Forum. In one 50-year period, 26 emperors were murdered.

An entertaining and informative look at the unique culture of crime, punishment, and killing in Ancient Rome.

"Emma Southon has found a most rewarding path by focusing on real-life murders of the era to illustrate how Romans saw life, death, and themselves. Julius Caesar, of course, earns a chapter, but the author presents an astonishing docket of cases that bring vividly alive (with a dash of wit) what Romans feared the most." (Air Mail)