![]() ![]() But just who was the worst, in the long, dark, violent history that began with Romulus and ended with Romulus Augustus? Despite the title, the options are not solely limited to emperor, but includes figures from Rome's days as a monarchy and republic. ![]() "The names of a few Roman emperors are probably at least passingly familiar to most: Augustus, Nero, Caligula, Marcus Aurelius. This review is copied and pasted from my review there.) (Note: I also received the audiobook version. " I received Evil Roman Emperors as part of a NetGalley giveaway. The text kept me interested and entertained. "Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC. There are a lot of very famous people in there but also a few lesser known rulers. And you wonder why the Roman Empire even lasted that long. It's quite a shock to read about all these horrible rulers and their atrocities in one book. After 4 years of high school Latin classes, I have always been fascinated by Roman History. What’s never been done before is to look at the worst of the worst at the same time, comparing them side by side, and ranking them against one another. " Roman history, deviant or otherwise, is a subject of endless fascination. All of that considered, this is a book I recommend as an introduction into terrible emperors of Rome and as a jumping off point for your own research. I do have to say, I don’t think die hard Rome historians will find this book as funny as I did, and I definitely believe that the author is passionate about his subject, because he made his opinions on certain emperors VERY obvious. I blazed through the various stories and even gasped a few times. Only once Rome and her institutions lost their relevance, strength and cohesion did the western empire crumble.”- Stephen Dando-Collins, author of Caligula: The Mad Emperor of Rome, Legions of Rome, and Conquering Jerusalem As it turned out, Rome’s institutions proved too strong for even these destructive forces, and for every batch of evil and inept rulers a man of character and ability would arise to set Rome back on course. “In Evil Roman Rulers, Phillip Barlag has given us an insightful catalog of sometimes cruel, often deranged and ultimately scary leaders that will make many readers wonder how the Roman Empire became, and continued to be, so successful for so long. In Evil Roman Emperors, Phillip Barlag gives us lots of lessons to heed in the modern age.”-Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, 11th secretary-general, NATO It’s important to study not just good leadership but bad leadership, too. “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Roman history, deviant or otherwise, is a subject of endless fascination. Author Phillip Barlag profiles a host of evil Roman rulers across the history of their empire, along with the faceless governing bodies that condoned and even carried out heinous acts. Lucius Tarquinius Suburbus called peace conferences with warring states, only to slaughter foreign leaders Commodus sold offices of the empire to the highest bidder Caligula demanded to be worshipped as a god, and marched troops all the way to the ocean simply to collect seashells as “proof” of their conquest even the Roman Senate itself was made up of oppressors, exploiters, and murderers of all stripes. It concludes by ranking them, counting down to the worst ruler in Rome’s long history. Evil Roman Emperors puts the worst of Rome’s rulers in one place and offers a review of their lives and a historical context for what made them into what they became. Roman history, from the very foundation of the city, is replete with people and stories that shock our modern sensibilities. But fear not, the truth of his life, his rule and what he did with unrestrained power, is plenty weird, salacious and horrifying.Īnd he is not alone. The one thing Nero is well-known for is the one thing he actually didn’t do. As catchy as that aphorism is, it’s sadly untrue, even if it has a nice ring to it. ![]()
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