Julius Cicatrix

Every job has it's disadvantages - even supreme ruler of one of the largest empires in ancient history.

In this little book, Julius Cicatrix (not his/her real name) uses contemporary sources to describe, in gory detail, the demise of 32 Roman Emperors and 1 dictator (Julius). And what a variety of methods used. From the subtle - coating fruit on a tree with poison (Augustus) - to the embarassing - stabbed by your bodyguard whilst attending to a call of nature (Caracalla) - to the bizzare - packed in ice to reduce a fever (Titus) and the downright disgusting - consumed by worms (Galerius).

If the descriptions of these deaths don't bring a vivid image to your mind, you are assisted by Martin Rowson's detailed cartoons (although, if you are even slightly squeamish, I'd avoid the pages devoted to Maximin Daia altogether).

Having said all that, this is a very amusing book written with appropriately dark humour. Rowson's cartoons are caricatured to make the scene more absurd than disgusting, but there are exceptions.… (plus d'informations)