Ancient Rome: Facts and Fictions (Historical Facts and Fictions)

This book shares little-known facts from and excerpts of primary source documents to correct popular misconceptions about Ancient Rome and to show how those misconceptions became widespread. Roman personalities and history have always had a larger-than-life profile in American popular culture, but most people think of this ancient civilization as merely decadent, cruel, and elitist. Most of our stereotypical conceptions of the empire and its people, however, are wrong. This book corrects popular misconceptions about the ancient Roman world, thus making ancient history relevant and accessible to modern readers and allowing modern critics of American politics and society to draw accurate comparisons. Each chapter discusses how a particular misconception developed, spread, and evolved into what we now believe to be the historical truth. Topics discussed include crucifixion, the destruction of Carthage, Julius Caesar's last words, and Roman hygiene. Excerpts from primary source documents provide evidence of both the rise of the historical fictions and the truths behind the myths. Cover Title page Copyright Contents Preface Introduction Chapter 1. The Romans Destroyed Carthage and Plowed Salt into the Soil Chapter 2. Cato the Elder Hated Greek and Punic Culture Chapter 3. Caesar’s Last Words Were “Et Tu, Brute” Chapter 4. Livia Murdered Augustus’s Heirs to Make Tiberius Emperor Chapter 5. Caligula Made His Horse, Incitatus, a Consul Chapter 6. Nero Fiddled While Rome Burned Chapter 7. Romans Vomited in Vomitoria Chapter 8. The City of Rome Was Very Hygienic Chapter 9. Not All Gladiators Were Slaves Ancient Sources Secondary Sources Index About the Author