Now this is the type of history book I like to read. The Roman Emperors were a strange lot, many of them seemingly insane and utterly perverted. Many of them also came to inglorious ends and rare indeed was the Emperor who died of old age.

Emperors Don't Die in Bed briefly covers the lives and deaths of all the Roman Emperors, from our old friend Julius Ceaser all the way through to Romulus Augustulus's abdication in 476CE. Beyond the all-too-regular violent deaths accorded to Emperors, there were some eye-opening revelations for me, including that the Emperor Vitellius was nicknamed "Spintria" ("Sphincter Artist") in his youth due to his being the favourite catamite of the Emperor Tiberius, and the statement that Emperor Domitian began to lose popularity by surrounding himself with "boxers, fools and dwarves". Which is just the sort of people I try to surround myself with. ( )

first published on http://voskenslaan.blogspot.com/2008/01/emperor-under-bed.html

I just finished a book I started quite some time ago. Not that it was such a tough book to read or even a very thick one, but it was my 'under-the-bed' book.

Every Thursday or on any other day that I don’t have to work, I usually lie down on our bed with Nora till she’s fully asleep for her afternoon nap. In the mean time I read my 'under-the-bed' book. Sometimes I will only read for 5 minutes & on other occasions – when Nora is bit more difficult or when I simply feel nice and cosy myself – I’ll read for half an hour. But of course you can not read any book: it must be a book with short chapters and you shouldn’t lose the storyline if you don’t read in it for a week.

Emperors don’t die in bed by Fik Meijer was the perfect book. I read the original Dutch version – Keizers sterven niet in bed – but it has been published in English as well.

This book by a professor in Ancient History tells the story of the 87 Roman emperors (from 27 BC till 476 AC) but focuses mainly on their deaths. It’s really amazing to see that almost all of them died a nasty death and still there was never a lack of candidates. Every time some senator, general or other public figure would stand up and claim to be the most capable emperor but in most cases the plotting and killing started the very same day of their inauguration.

Every emperor has his own chapter: infamous villains like Caligula and Nero, great statesman like Hadrian and Constantine but also unknown fellows like Carus – 6 months in power – or Didius Julianus – even shorter; or Gallienus – 15 years in power but have you ever heard of him?

Some did die in their bed, others were killed in battle but Commodus – an aggressive lunatic – was not only poisoned but strangled as well; Heliogabalus – who lived a life of orgies – tried to hide in the toilet but was found and killed, his body was thrown in the sewers of Rome; Caracalla was stabbed while peeing; …

Stepping down was no option: losing your throne was losing your head.

This may sound gruesome – and of course it is– but the book itself is quiet light-hearted and a pleasant way to read the amazing history of the Roman Empire.

Highly recommended! ( )

A great read, a fasinating look at back stabbing (litrally) and ambition in the roman world. Makes you think twice before eating anything your Mother has made you! ( )