Histories of the Unexpected: The Romans

Histories of the Unexpected not only presents a new way of thinking about the past, but also reveals the world around us as never before.

Traditionally, the Romans have been understood in a straightforward way but the period really comes alive if you take an unexpected approach to its history. Yes, emperors, the development of civilisation and armies all have a fascinating history... but so too do tattoos, collecting, fattening, recycling, walking, poison, fish, inkwells and wicked stepmothers!

Each of these subjects is equally fascinating in its own right, and each sheds new light on the traditional subjects and themes that we think we know so well.

Review: History as you've never seen it before. -- Dan Snow

Irreverent, witty and fabulously well-informed, Histories of the Unexpected is a blast of historical treats and full to the gunwales of extraordinary connections and trivia from the past. -- James Holland

History isn't straightforward. It's a complex web of twists and turns. This book will show you how surprising, exciting and downright unexpected history can be. -- Janina Ramirez

This is a wonderful, eclectic and entertaining history of everything, full of fascinating, surprising stories. -- Suzannah Lipscomb 

 

0: The Romans: An Introduction 1: Walls 2: Tattoos 3: Posture 4: Taming 5: Recycling 6: Walking 7: Poison 8: The Kiss 9: Collecting Art 10: Solar Power 11: Fish 12: Benches 13: Weaving 14: Fattening 15: Shopping 16: Wicked Stepmothers 17: Feet 18: Inkwells 19: Demonic Possession 20: The Seven Number