A FATAL THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM Murder in Ancient Rome

This unique exploration of homicide in the Roman republic and empire is grimly entertaining, informative, frequently vulgar, and funny time and again. Narrator Sophie Ward has a lovely erudite voice that may seem too gentle for recounting the murders, mutilations, familial cruelty, and grisly assassinations that are the chief topics covered in this eclectic account. At times, the author apologizes for providing historical context for the evil deeds being discussed, seemingly under the assumption that the listener possesses only morbid curiosity, not intellectual inquisitiveness. One important fact the listener can take away from this reading is that modern culture and views on human rights are very different from those of the Roman Empire. D.L.G. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2021]