The Mad Emperor: Heliogabalus and the Decadence of Rome by Harry Sidebottom (Eng

Description: The Mad Emperor by Harry Sidebottom What happens when you put the Roman Empire in the hands of a teenage boy? The life and times of the worst Roman emperor of all. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description On 8 June AD218 a fourteen-year-old Syrian boy led an army to battle in a Roman civil war. Rallying his retreating troops in person, against all expectations, he was victorious.Varius Avitus Bassianus, known to the modern world as Heliogabalus, was proclaimed emperor. The next four years were to be the strangest in the history of the empire.Heliogabalus humiliated the prestigious Senators and threw extravagant dinner parties for his lower-class friends. He ousted Jupiter from his summit among the gods and replaced him with Elagabal. He married a Vestal Virgin – twice. Rumours abounded that he was a prostitute, that he enjoyed sex with men, that he wanted his physicians to give him a vagina. His contemporaries were unanimous: Heliogabalus was the worst emperor ever. For Antonin Artaud, his life was anarchy in action.But weve forgotten all about him. How did a teenager from an obscure imperial outpost rise up to the very top? In the first biography of Heliogabalus in over half a century, Harry Sidebottom unveils the high drama of sex, religion, power and culture in Ancient Rome as weve never seen it before. Author Biography Dr Harry Sidebottom teaches Ancient History at Lincoln College, Oxford. Since publication of Fire in the East in 2008, he has written and published a novel each year, all of which have been Sunday Times top 5 bestsellers. His Warrior of Rome series has been published in 14 countries. Harry is also the editor of the forthcoming Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient Battles. Review Sidebottom is an agile guide and draws the readers attention to the remarkably inclusive nature of the empire, from its acceptance of different cultures into citizenship (the exact and polar opposite of, say, Qatar), its routine freeing of slaves and its acceptance of new gods into its pagan pantheon… Buy the book, its very entertaining. -- David Aaronovitch, The TimesThe decadence, debauchery and sexual promiscuity that marked the adolescents time on the imperial throne make for a rollicking read. -- Daily MailAncient history was never less dry than in Harry Sidebottoms superbly entertaining and always scholarly account of the reign of Heliogabalus... There is something for every reader: sex, politics, scandals and a compelling portrait of imperial society and culture. -- Tony Barber * Financial Times, Book of the Year *We are used to being told that the historical truth is less exciting than the myth. But, as Harry Sidebottoms The Mad Emperor demonstrates, this is one of those rare cases when the history does not fall short. While working hard to correct the preconceptions of both scholars and general readers, Sidebottom presents a picture of third-century imperial Rome that is, if anything, wilder than the popular imagination. -- TelegraphHarry Sidebottom certainly makes the most of this potential. In thirteen chapters he takes us on an enjoyable romp through the few highs and many lows of Heliogabaluss fleeting four years as emperor, between 218 CE and 222… Throughout Sidebottom showcases the historian in action, assessing his sources, trawling through prosopography and carefully identifying marble portrait busts. He offers a scholarly but readable biography of an emperor who has been rather short of such attentions. -- TLSSidebottom has an experts command of the rebarbative source base for third-century Rome… A whole scholarly architecture lies beneath and underpins his thoroughly convincing portrait of a failed emperor. His conclusions must be taken seriously. -- LRBThe Mad Emperor recreates the Ancient World with the eye of a poet and the sure hand of a scholar. -- Barry Strauss, author of Ten CaesarsHarry Sidebottom skilfully juggles what to believe and what not to believe… The racy story is told with the vivid phrasing and descriptive powers of an accomplished novelist… supported by a rich back story and a fascinating discussion of his legacy… a well-illustrated and absorbing read. -- Guy de la Bédoyère, BBC History MagazineSidebottom brings [Heliogabalus] vividly back to life. His prose feels vibrant and effortless but also rewards close reading. -- Daisy Dunn, author of Not Far from Brideshead: Oxford Between the WarsA scholarly but highly readable account of the teenager who became classical Romes most reviled emperor, but who may be viewed with a touch more sympathy now. -- Matthew Kneale, author of Rome: A History in Seven SackingsA riveting and rollicking account of a much maligned but truly thrilling era in Roman history. -- Emma Southon, author of A Fatal Thing Happened On the Way to the ForumCombining the pace of a novelist, the training of a scholar and the instincts of a true historian, this is a wonderful exploration of the Roman world under its strangest emperor. -- Adrian Goldsworthy, author of Pax RomanaAn absolute belter -- Paul Ross * TalkSPORT, Book of the Week * Promotional Teenager. Religious fanatic. Prostitute. The life and times of the worst Roman emperor youve never heard of. Review Quote The Mad Emperor recreates the Ancient World with the eye of a poet and the sure hand of a scholar. Details ISBN0861542533 Author Harry Sidebottom Short Title The Mad Emperor Publisher Oneworld Publications Language English Year 2022 ISBN-10 0861542533 ISBN-13 9780861542536 Format Hardcover Subtitle Heliogabalus and the Decadence of Rome Publication Date 2022-10-06 Imprint Oneworld Publications Place of Publication London Country of Publication United Kingdom NZ Release Date 2022-10-06 UK Release Date 2022-10-06 Pages 352 Alternative 9780861546855 DEWEY 937.07092 Audience General AU Release Date 2023-01-09 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:140712644;

Price: 42.33 AUD

Location: Melbourne

End Time: 2025-02-01T06:49:47.000Z

Shipping Cost: 10.65 AUD