Servus

The untold story of how slavery made the Roman Empire by acclaimed classical historian Emma Southon, author of A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Emma Southon turns her unique combination of unflinching academic gaze and irrepressible sharp humour to that darkest and most depressing of subjects, Roman slavery, providing a much-needed corrective to centuries of obfuscations and misunderstandings. Servus is a challenging read yet a simultaneously sensitive and even entertaining one, striking that peculiar balance that, of all the Romanists writing trade history today, only Emma can fully achieve.

Electrifying, rousing and flowing with passion, this deeply researched book zips along in a way that defies expectation. What a skill Southon has for maintaining an energetic yet empathetic tone while bringing such dark realities to light.

Think you know about Roman slavery? Think again. Fascinating, appalling and profoundly moving, SERVUS is the most important book you'll ever read about ancient Rome. With lightly-worn scholarship and fierce humour, Southon reveals the true scale of human terror, suffering, survival and resistance at the heart of empire.

An absolute tour de force. I adore all Emma's writing on the ancient world and this is my favourite of her books so far. It is razor sharp, riveting and treads an exceptionally well balanced line between humorous and harrowing (yes, I know that sounds impossible - but she pulls it off). It's a brilliant book.

Forget white marble statues and philosophical debates: Emma Southon takes you on a journey through the hell of ancient slavery that defined the classical world as few other things - a true masterwork of historical enquiry

Excellent . . . Servus offers a thoughtful and refreshing, intimate and disturbing insight into the workings of the Roman Empire and the psyche of its inhabitants - free and enslaved.

Emma Southon is a former bookseller and the author of A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women, A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Agrippina: Empress, Exile, Hustler, Whore , a Best Book of the Year for the New Statesman . Armed with a PhD in Ancient History, she also co-hosts the History is Sexy podcast. She lives in Belfast, with her husband and her cat Livia.