After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal
Goriest Murders in Ancient Rome
Oct 16, 2023
Emma Southon, author of A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, joins Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling to discuss the gory and inventive ways the Romans killed people. Topics include flesh-eating fish, humiliating deaths inside sacks, deadly re-enactments of the Icarus myth, and gruesome gladiator fights. Check out Emma Southon's new book, A History of Rome in 21 Women.
37:22
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Quick takeaways
- The Romans had a self-help legal system, allowing masters to kill their slaves in various ways until the 4th century, reflecting a different view of murder compared to other time periods.
- Gladiatorial games in Ancient Rome combined combat and spectacle, with highly trained fighters engaging in matches choreographed to be evenly matched, often resulting in the death of one fighter, executed by a clean stab to the throat.
Deep dives
The Roman fascination with murder and punishment
In ancient Rome, murder was viewed differently compared to other time periods. The Romans did not have a law specifically against murder for a long time, and it was seen as a civil matter. If someone murdered another person, it could be settled in court or through negotiations with the victim's family. Slaves were not protected, and their masters were allowed to kill them in various ways until the 4th century. The Romans had a self-help legal system, and punishments were often elaborate and theatrical, intended to be seen by the public.
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