A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum cover art

A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Murder in Ancient Rome

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A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

By: Emma Southon
Narrated by: Sophie Ward
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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 and Galba was beheaded in the forum. In one 50-year period, 26 emperors were murdered. But what did killing mean in a city where gladiators fought to the death to sate a crowd? 

Emma Southon examines real-life homicides from Roman history to explore how perpetrator, victim and the act itself were regarded by ordinary people. Inside Ancient Rome's unique culture of crime and punishment, we see how the Romans viewed life, death and what it means to be human.

©2020 Emma Southon (P)2020 W. F. Howes Ltd Ancient Crime Europe Ancient Rome Funny Witty Ancient History
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I love ancient history, but most history books take the subject very seriously. This book was so refreshing in it's irreverent delivery of horrific history that it made me laugh and gasp in equal measure. The narrator also needs an award for how she delivered this book. Perfect!

Beautifully irreverent

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If you’d have told me last year that my favourite book would be one about murder in Ancient Rome, I’d have called you mad. But it’s true, Southon’s writing is just unbelievably good. Nuanced, funny, heartbreaking, I cannot stop returning to A Fatal Thing. Prepare to laugh and cry and then laugh some more…and possible want to commit your own murder.

Amazing book (as a physical copy or on audio!)

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A witty & honest look at ancient murder with links to modern social norms. Really enjoyable read

Great read

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The subject is a tough one, which would be a hard listen if it wasn’t for the inserted dry humour to break the “tension”. So interesting. Yes the narrator is a bit mismatched to the tone of the book but once I got used to it, I actually found the posh mono-tonal voice made the sweary bits more funny. Sometimes I had to go back and check she had actually just said that! 😂

It’s a good listen

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I absolutely love Emma Southon’s work on the Romans — informative and incisive but also she has a wicked sense of humour that had me snorting with laughter. If you like this definitely read Aggrippina too!

Brilliant, clever and funny!

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