Pliny did it, Plutarch did it, Xenophon did it – many ancient writers were incorrigible collectors of miscellany, lively anecdotes and after-dinner jokes. Here, writer and historian Philip Matyszak brings together his favourite incidents, wisecracks and curious facts from ancient Greece and Rome.

The compendium includes humorous quips by the emperor Augustus and wry observations by the philosopher Socrates. There are stories of ghastly crimes, incredible journeys and some bizarre military mishaps, such as when a Macedonian army rushed to storm the walls of a Greek city, only to find that their ladders were six feet short. There are also dozens of lists, including Romans who lived to be 100 and odd deities like Sterculinus, the god of manure spreading.

Many of the tales seem strange to us, like a statue being tried for murder, though to the ancients these were normal enough. As the author comments, ‘human nature has not changed much over the past 3,000 years, but the manner in which it finds expression is sometimes dramatically different...’

All of the incidents and anecdotes are described in brief, memorable passages, making this book an ideal companion either to dip into or to read from end to end – also includes a cornucopia of lists, from the top 10 thefts in Greek mythology to the manner of death of every Roman emperor.

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Philip Matyszak has a doctorate in Roman history from St John’s College, Oxford, and is the author of The Sons of Caesar, Chronicle of the Roman Republic, The Enemies of Rome, Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day, Ancient Athens on Five Drachmas a Day and Legionary: The Roman Soldier’s (Unofficial) Manual, all published by Thames & Hudson.

Also by Philip Matyszak:
The Sons of Caesar
Chronicle of the Roman Republic
The Enemies of Rome
Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day
The Greek and Roman Myths