Adrienne Mayor - The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome's Deadliest Enemy

The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome's Deadliest Enemy

Adrienne Mayor's The Poison King unveils the captivating life and legacy of Mithradates VI, the enigmatic ruler who dared to challenge the might of Rome in the first century BC. This richly illustrated biography, the first dedicated to Mithradates in half a century, weaves together historical fact with the latest archaeological and scientific discoveries, painting a vivid portrait of a king shrouded in both legend and infamy. Born into a world of intrigue and ambition, Mithradates ascended to the throne of a wealthy Black Sea kingdom at the tender age of fourteen, his father poisoned by his own mother. He fled into exile, only to return in triumph, displaying remarkable intelligence and a thirst for power. Celebrated by his followers as a savior, feared by his enemies as a second Hannibal, Mithradates envisioned a vast Eastern empire to rival Rome. This grand ambition led him to wage spectacular battles against Rome, culminating in the massacre of eighty thousand Roman citizens in 88 BC. He seized Greece and modern-day Turkey, pushing Rome to its limits and even threatening an invasion of Italy itself. Mithradates' ability to evade capture and rebound from devastating losses confounded his Roman adversaries, while his mastery of poisons earned him a fearsome reputation. He used his knowledge of toxins to thwart assassination attempts and eliminate rivals, further solidifying his image as a master strategist and a relentless foe. The Poison King offers a gripping account of a man who lived a life full of spectacle and excitement, challenging the established order and leaving behind a legacy that continues to captivate and inspire. Adrienne Mayor, a renowned historian and storyteller, brings to life the extraordinary story of Mithradates, revealing the complexities of this fascinating figure who both fascinated and terrified the Roman world.

Wydawnictwo	Princeton University Press
data wydania	27 marca 2011
ISBN	9780691150260
liczba stron	472
kategoria	Literatura popularnonaukowa
język	angielski