A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

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.