A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: Murder in Ancient Rome

‘A brilliant idea, brilliantly executed.’ Tom Holland, co-host of The Rest is History

In Ancient Rome all the best stories have one thing in common – murder. Romulus killed Remus to found the city, Caesar was assassinated to save the Republic, Caligula was butchered in the theatre, Claudius was poisoned at dinner.

But what did killing really mean in a city where gladiators fought to the death to sate a crowd? Emma Southon examines real-life homicides from Roman history to take us inside Ancient Rome’s unique culture of crime and punishment, and show us how the Romans viewed life, death, and what it means to be human.

‘I love this funny, scholarly, erudite, irreverent book.’ Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent

‘Those left cold by the sober tones of scholarship will find this voice liberating and intoxicating. Its energy is boundless and its range immense.’ Wall Street Journal