Evil Roman Emperors: The Shocking History of Ancient Rome's Most Wicked Rulers from Caligula to Nero and More

by Phillip Barlag, David de Vries (Narrator)

Nero fiddled while Rome burned. As catchy as that aphorism is, it's sadly untrue, even if it has a nice ring to it. The one thing Nero is well-known for is the one thing he actually didn't do. But fear not, the truth of his life, his rule and what he did with unrestrained power, is plenty weird, salacious and horrifying. And he is not alone. Roman history, from the very foundation of the city, is replete with people and stories that shock our modern sensibilities. Evil Emperors puts the worst of Rome's rulers in one place and offers a review of their lives and a historical context for what made them into what they became. It concludes by ranking them, counting down to the worst ruler in Rome's long history. Lucius Tarquinius Suburbus called peace conferences with warring states, only to slaughter foreign leaders; Commodus sold offices of the empire to the highest bidder; Caligula demanded to be worshipped as a god, and marched troops all the way to the ocean simply to collect seashells as "proof" of their conquest; even the Roman Senate itself was made up of oppressors, exploiters, and murderers of all stripes. Author Phillip Barlag profiles a host of evil Roman rulers across the history of their empire, along with the faceless governing bodies that condoned and even carried out heinous acts. Roman history, deviant or otherwise, is a subject of endless fascination. What's never been done before is to look at the worst of the worst at the same time, comparing them side by side, and ranking them against one another. Until now.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Ancient History, Biography, Roman, Roman History

Audiobook

First published May 1, 2021

Reviews

[Geoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fours stars for entertainment, but two stars for historical accuracy. This book at times feels like a compilation of podcast episodes, but there are some really interesting and good stories about Roman emperors who did horrible things to get power, to keep power, and just because they had power. This is a book that makes me feel glad I wasn't a Roman and at times is just ghastly in terms of the horrible acts that the emperors did. But it's not a prurient shock for shock's sake book as the author does try to help the reader understand the historical context, understand the larger issues facing Rome for each of the emperors' reigns, and helps clarify some of the structural issues (like the Pretorian guard) that made the empire unstable. The author does say up front that he pulled in stories from historically dubious sources (because they make for better stories), which does tank the educational value of the book a good amount. On the whole though an entertaining read.

**Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an irreverent and entertaining overview of some of the amazingly horrible emperors of Rome. They killed relatives, assassinated rulers, bankrupted the country, murdered huge numbers of citizens, generally raped and pillaged at will and engaged in an exhausting amount of debauchery. I had never heard of most of these people. One who was new to me murdered his wife then married his brother’s widow (after she had also murdered her husband) then this duo killed the king (who was the wife’s father). That’s the kind of people we are dealing with here. I don’t know anything about the background of the author or his status as an historian, but he certainly seems to have done a lot of research on the kings, emperors and political bodies of Rome.

Since I was listening to the audiobook, the hundreds of names that were thrown at me sort of blurred together.
I also didn’t have access to any illustrations or footnotes that might be in the physical book. I think it would be preferable to read a physical or ebook edition.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher.

[Valerity (Val) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this good read on Roman leaders back in the early days who were particularly evil. The book covers the creation of Rome and the selected worst of the worst like Caligula and Nero and many others through their reigns. Some even changed their names to distance themselves from past bad deeds. I always wanted to know more about these people, and this was a good way to get some knowledge on them. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Phillip Barlag, and the publisher.

[Read By Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, breezy (in style, not subject matter haha) book about some atrocious Roman leaders. Caligula, Nero, and Commodus take up a lot of space in this discussion, rightfully so, so it was nice to get to hear more about some of the lesser known monsters. My only complaints are it was VERY brief for most of them, and that for some reason, the author occasionally told the story out of order. (For example, skipping Tiberius's reign/Sejanus's villainy and then circling back after Commodus's death to discuss Sejanus and Macro?)

If you just want to hear about some awful Romans, or if you want to participate meaningfully in the debate about who the worst is*, this book is for you.

*- Commodus, obviously. Why is this even debated?

[sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite documentaries to watch are about Acient Rome so when I saw this ARC, of course I had to request it. This was so well written and pretty funny at points, and it made it so much fun to listen to. Despite knowing a lot about the Emperors talked about in this book, I still learned a lot about these horrible men. I'm definitely pre-ordering a hardcopy of this book to have on my shelf!





Thank you to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an Audiobook copy to review.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rome was a empire of beauty and wonder but Rome had two sides it was also a empire of some of the most brutal and sadistic and depraved rulers in the Ancient world.

Evil Roman Emperors by Phillip Barlag takes us on a little journey into that world of depravity and violence giving the reader a brief overview of these acts from Caligula to Nero and commodus and many more!

I found the book fairly informative and entertaining it felt structured like the show ancients behaving badly were each emperor or figure in Rome was rated on a scale for their depraved behaviour.

I did find the writing style little off for a history book gave a humour that at times felt off but I still chuckled all the same lol.

Overall a decently entertaining book.📚

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely entertaining. Really emphasizes the truth of the Chinese curse--"May you live in interesting times..."

These rulers were so awful I was thankful a hundred times that I did not live in ancient Rome.

[Julia Simpson-Urrutia · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first listened to this audiobook, it was During a car trip that lasted several hours. I felt that the narrator read with great drama and kept the audience hooked.
The author’s style is quite audience oriented, and demonstrates a theatrical expertise. I have to give this book credit for inspiring me to do more research. As a consequence of that research, I realize that the author went along with the propaganda that has so long shaped public opinion of Roman emperors. This is a good jumping off point for anyone!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both informative and entertaining, the author, in great detail, describes the excesses and horrors of some of the worst Roman emperors in history. I listened to the audiobook version. The narrator is engaging and easy to understand.

I enjoyed it quite a bit. Some of the accounts of the misdeeds of the different emperors were so outlandish, I couldn't help but laugh. For all of the people who say living in the present day is so much worse than how things used to be in the good old days need to read this book!

I am a library paraprofessional and received an advance copy of the audiobook from #NetGalley. Opinions are my own.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an easy read, but there's a lot of repetition, both in the chapters & in the 'top' listing at the end.

[Naomi's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I literally laughed out loud while listening to the audiobook! I don't know if enjoyed is a good adjective to describe my experience but I could not put it down. I didn't expect snarky comments about the different rulers to make me chuckle or pause but I would find myself saying, “Wait a second!” and then the book would continue with “That only lasted for a day” or “Just Kidding!” It was so clever! I loved how the material was treated. It could have been so grotesque but the author did his best to allude where possible. It was not very detailed for a book about evil emperors and I appreciate that. The ranking was also a highlight for me. You aren't expected to agree but it does give a great review of the ten chapters (in very minor detail obviously). Really recommend!


I received a free audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fine. Tries a bit too hard to be funny and doesn't quite land it.

[Alexis Forgit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced listening copy of Evil Roman Emperors through NetGalley. This was a great overview of the baddest baddies from history. The author does an excellent job adding wit and humor into the subject matter. Great listen for anyone interested in Roman History!

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent but not amazing summaries of various “bad” leaders and institutions in Rome (mostly emperors, but also a king and some organizations), and context, comparison, etc. Some interesting trivia but not really terribly engaging.

[Catharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (thank you!) but loved it so much that I ended up buying it on Google Audio Books.

I am a huge history lover, especially ancient Roman history! When I first saw this book I knew I needed to read it and I am so happy I did! Phillip Barlag is a very fun writer...he is expressive and descriptive with each chapter and puts in a few funnies along the way. It felt like he was talking to me in person, explaining the emperors/Rome and not just me reading a book.

Barlag does an amazing job categorizing the emperors and who was terrible, and who was just plain evil. He does a wonderful job setting the stage for each emperor as well, which is refreshing because most other history books about emperors just assume you know about their contemporary issues and time period. I was enamored through and through while reading this and frankly I could not put it down!

If you love Roman History, history in general, or love hearing messed up Emperors, this is the book for you! Anyone who is a fan of Game of Thrones or any other fictional "war of kings" type stories THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU! The best part? These people actually LIVED !!! 10/10 must must MUST read!

[Anna Hargett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Evil Roman Emperors: The Shocking History of Ancient Rome’s Most Wicked Rulers from Caligula to Nero and More" by Phillip Barlag

This is a gripping book that explores of the dark side of human nature and the fragile balance of power. From the opening pages, I was really hooked, and it was nearly impossible to put the book down.

Barlag delves into the annals of history, shining a spotlight on infamous Roman Emperors like Caligula, Nero, and Commodus, as well as the very shady (and very bad) Praetorian Guards. The detailed accounts of these figures reveal a chilling portrayal of downright evil individuals who wield unchecked power over the people they ruled.

The book not only chronicles the heinous and disturbing acts committed by these emperors but also raises thought-provoking questions about the origins of their malevolence. Was their infamous behavior a product of their upbringing (as seen in the case of Caligula raised by his psychopathic uncle Tiberius?) Or were they inherently predisposed to evil? In cases such as Commodus (the evil, incompetent, lazy, honestly good-for-nothing) son of Marcus Aurelius (arguably considered as one of Rome’s greatest Emperor’s) leaves the reader to ponder even more the age-old question of nature vs. nurture.

The emperors presented in the book are narcissistic, sadomasochistic, bizarre, and outright psychopathic. History paints a vivid picture of the depths of human depravity, making it difficult to fathom how such individuals could adhere to such diabolical tyrannical rule.

As the pages turn, the book not only serves as a historical account but also as a mirror reflecting the worst aspects of humanity. The chilling realization that history may repeat itself looms large, serving as a sobering reminder of the potential for evil in humanity and how far it can go.

This was a great read and for those intrigued by the complexities of human nature and the consequences of absolute power, this book is an absolute must-read.

[TimetoFangirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"The young, progressive, benevolent Gaius had slipped into unconsciousness. What awoke was not the same man."

Actual Rating = 3.5

Why is reading about terrible humans so much fun? I don't understand and, honestly, don't care to look too closely into what that might say about me. Regardless, I'm here for it.

Let me give a quick disclaimer that the ARC I received was an uncorrected proof and had a ton of formatting and grammar errors. I've worked hard not to let these issues impact my rating since anyone who purchases the book will probably not see this.

Pros:
I really enjoyed the writing style of this. It was fun and engaging in a way that history books often aren't, and I definitely learned a ton about the worst rulers the Roman empire had to offer. Of note - I knew just about the bare minimum on this topic going in, basically just what they taught us in high school. I was still able to follow along and understand what was happening, so that's a win on the author's part. My only complaint about the writing was that some of the transitions between paragraphs felt really awkward and I occasionally thought I must be missing text.

Cons:
I didn't like the way this book was structured. It's basically a chapter on each evil ruler, and then a top ten list at the end. I think it would've made more sense to structure the book as a top ten list so that you don't reach the conclusion and have to remember back to rulers you met nine chapters ago to understand the ranking system. This could just be a "me" thing though, so I'm super interested to see other people's feedback!

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Prometheus Books for an advanced copy of this new history title.

When people speak of the "Good old days", after reading Phillip Barlag's Evil Roman Emperors: The Shocking History of Ancient Rome's Most Wicked Rulers from Caligula to Nero and More you'll know they can't be speaking of ancient Rome. Or that they should read more.

Mr. Barlag has written a well researched, very interesting book, in a style that is both easy to read and follow, not textbook heavy, nor gossipy, about the worst rulers of Rome and its poor subjects. A few of these are well known, but with expanded information, and a clearing up of certain myths and lies that surround their name like Nero or Caligula. Others are less known, or should be forgotten by history, even if their acts and deeds make it very hard to. A true cast of deplorables.

The subject matter might get a little harsh, and dark, very dark, but the narrative never grows repetitive or dull, no matter how many family murders or raising of taxes stories appear. A perfect gift for someone just learning about history, or likes books on trivia. Or possibly for one entering politics as a guide to what is acceptable and what is not in proper governance.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version, so did not have access to any illustrations that may be included in the print version.
I liked this book. It is well-researched and very readable. This is Ancient Roman history written for the general public. You do not have to have much prior knowledge of the subject to enjoy this book. Anyone with a passing interest can learn and be entertained by this interesting catalogue of terrible Roman leaders. The tone of the narrative is casual. If a compendium of evil emperors can be presented with a sense of humor, this author does a great job. At the same time, the author does not downplay just how bad these people were. It's a perfect read for someone interested in Rome who prefers not to tackle an academic text. Of course, it does not include the detail expected in an academic text either.
An appendix of characters discussed in the text is included for convenient reference.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ACR in exchange for my honest review.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received Evil Roman Emperors as part of a NetGalley giveaway. (Note: I also received the audiobook version. This review is copied and pasted from my review there.)

The names of a few Roman emperors are probably at least passingly familiar to most: Augustus, Nero, Caligula, Marcus Aurelius. But just who was the worst, in the long, dark, violent history that began with Romulus and ended with Romulus Augustus? Despite the title, the options are not solely limited to emperor, but includes figures from Rome's days as a monarchy and republic. After reviewing 10 candidates, the final chapter concludes with a countdown to, in Barlag's opinion, the worst.

This is a fairly light and accessible angle on Roman history; you don't need to know a lot going in, and the narrative moves along at a nice pace. On the flip side, this probably isn't for Roman history lovers, since it is more of an entry-level treatment, But for novices, it's a great look at just how nutty the empire was (particularly its latter centuries) and a nice gateway to deeper reads on the subject.

[Miles Foltermann · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars rounded up.

This book is an irreverent and tragico-comedic journey through the lives and careers of some of Rome’s most infamous figures. Overall, I found the work disappointing—breezy and blithe like an extended BuzzFeed article. When done well, popular history is enormously important in helping lay people access the story of the past. But Barlag seems more concerned with dramatic effect than he is with historical fidelity. He recounts some dubious stories and claims—apparently to fill out and fortify his narrative. As an example, he draws the totally unsupported conclusion that Ambrose of Milan opportunistically manipulated Emperor Theodosius in an attempt to consolidate civil power in the hands of the Christian church. This kind of conspiracism may cohere in a Dan Brown novel, but it doesn’t belong in this history book.

The bottom line is—there are much better works of classical history out there, which are intended for a general audience. Interested readers may consider works by Adrian Goldsworthy or Anthony Everitt.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Evil Roman Emperors audiobook as part of a NetGalley giveaway.

The names of a few Roman emperors are probably at least passingly familiar to most: Augustus, Nero, Caligula, Marcus Aurelius. But just who was the worst, in the long, dark, violent history that began with Romulus and ended with Romulus Augustus? Despite the title, the options are not solely limited to emperor, but includes figures from Rome's days as a monarchy and republic. After reviewing 10 candidates, the final chapter concludes with a countdown to, in Barlag's opinion, the worst.

This is a fairly light and accessible angle on Roman history; you don't need to know a lot going in, and the narrative moves along at a nice pace. On the flip side, this probably isn't for Roman history lovers, since it is more of an entry-level treatment, But for novices, it's a great look at just how nutty the empire was (particularly its latter centuries) and a nice gateway to deeper reads on the subject.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with a free ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Evil Roman Emperors chronicles generations of madness, murder, debauchery, incest, fratricide, regicide, war, obsession, oddities, egomania, and more among Rome's most infamous emperors, from Nero to Caligula to Commodus. The prose is quick, witty, and fun, and the narrator adds an extra touch of humor to the prose.

Despite the brevity of Evil Roman Emperors, the sheer volume of history rapidly profiled here can make following along a challenge for anyone who is not already well-acquainted with Roman history. And while the the many misdeeds of the Roman emperors are certainly outrageous, after a while they start to blend into each other and begin to feel repetitive. I suspect that this is the type of book that could benefit from a second listen, in order to pick up on more of the details that were easy to miss the first time.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining read for anyone even slightly interested in the Roman Empire/Roman Republic. The conversational tone makes it an easy, fun read.

I appreciated the brief summaries and "dishonorable mentions," but was disappointed that Domition was only briefly mentioned - and also was not listed in the Epilogue. While some regins were definitely more completely covered than others, it was great to read about lesser-known emperors like Elagabalus and Valentinian III. I do wish Tiberius was given a little more credit for his depravity - Sejanus was an evil man to be sure, but so was Tiberius.

Some of the history would be more impactful in chronological order. As organized, some of the history discussed seemed almost tangential because of how it was ordered.

Overall a really fun read. Roman history is already so fascinating, but the author definitely made the topic accessible and engaging.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting review of the worst of the worst, including not only emperors but the early kings of Rome as well as groups such as the Senate and the Praetorian Guard, the emperor's personal bodyguard and the only soldiers allowed within the city limits, who often made and unmade emperors on a whim, or usually, depending on who was paying them. For the most part, the more casual style, which annoyed a lot of people, didn't bother me, although there were places where it grated. Also, while it was stressed in a few places, I'm not sure that it would have stuck with a lot of people that we don't know how many of the allegations, especially in the Republic and early empire, were true and which were propaganda spread by the person's enemies. I think it can safely be said, though, that they were all pretty awful people.

On quibble on the audio edition: In several places, it sounds like the narrator is saying "empirical" instead of "imperial."

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little overview of some of the more notorious rulers in Roman history - but with a few editorial quibbles (photos sourced from Wikipedia, typos). The tone of the book is conversational, which keeps it engaging, but when it comes to some emperors (Caligula, for example), there's this idea of dangling the more salacious points of said emperor without getting into detail, which, over time, gets a little annoying? It has this vibe of, "This emperor did these realllyyy terrribbbleee things that I'm just going to hint at," with the promise that they're simply too over the top to write down. Which...I guess? Might as well look at Suetonius for a full picture, if that's the case. However, I do really appreciate that Barlag does cover rulers from the beginning of the Empire to the end of it - offering a look at some "lesser" known bad guys, like Caracalla.

[Yoly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a witty and entertaining take on the lives of some of the most notorious evil Roman Emperors. The author uses a lively and humorous style that makes you feel like you are reading a juicy magazine article. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator made it even better.

I would not recommend this book as a first encounter with Roman emperors since it might mislead the reader into thinking that the Roman Empire was nothing but a hotbed of corruption and depravity but at the same time (maybe it kind of actually was? Hahaha), but if you're already familiar with Ancient Rome's history, you might have already read about some of the stories that you'll find in this book. So basically, this book is great for entertainment maybe not so much as an introduction to the subject.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - Read this if you seek solace from contemporary dictatorship regimes and could benefit from a lighthearted but informative historical reminder that things can always get much worse. Overall enjoyed this, a bit overdramatic (but so is the material itself), witty and concise writing style. It’s an easier read than primary sources or older historical texts but can sometimes lean a bit heavily on pithy simplifications or on other historical compilation works (eg Suetonius’s 12 Caesars). Humorous critique by the author is sprinkled throughout, but the book is more focused on presentation of history than critical analysis on what justifies good or bad rule (author laid out in preface his goal to accomplish both). Nevertheless, still plenty illustrative of how human vices in the face of absolute power can take different paths to similarly terrible consequences.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an Advanced Listening Copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is an excellent summer read, for anyone interested in Roman history. I think a lot of default to the Senate and Julius Caesar when we think of Rome, but there was so much more to it. While I wouldn't use this as an academic book, it is a fun and quick book looking at the craziness of Rome and its rulers. I found the list of Barlag's worst emperors wasn't needed- all included were "evil" in so many ways, no ranking needed!

David de Vries did a fantastic job at narrator- great pace, and excellent tone. While it is a fairly dramatic subject matter, he was energetic without being over the top.

[Chase Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terribly great.

This was an amazing read for anyone interested in better understanding this time period. As the title suggests, the book highlights the shocking depravity of the powerful men—and women—of Ancient Rome. If Lord Acton’s famous phrase, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” has ever been called into question, this book will surely erase any doubt.

Barlag strikes the perfect balance between history and humor, interspersing even the most dreadful parts of the narrative with comedic and sarcastic reprieves. This approach makes what could have been a bleak account both engaging and digestible.

I finished this book with a clearer understanding of Ancient Rome and a deep appreciation for those, like Barlag, who make history accessible and enjoyable for modern readers.