Assassinations That Shaped The Ancient World
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Assassinations That Shaped the Ancient World
Author: Phil Carradice
language: en
Publisher: Pen and Sword History
Release Date: 2025-04-28
Explores the history of political assassinations from ancient Egypt to the Dark Ages, examining notable figures and motivations. Assassination! Just mentioning the word is enough to send a shiver up the spine. And yet, for many years, the deliberate act of 'taking out' notable public figures has been the mainstay of political factions and individuals when faced with problems and dilemmas that discussion and debate cannot solve. Most monarchs, statesmen and military commanders of the ancient world, whether they were successful or failures, had to deal with threats. At one stage or another in their careers, they would all have been vulnerable to unexpected attacks. They would all have been potential targets for assassin's blades or poison. And they knew it. So common was the assassination of notable individuals that it became almost an occupational hazard in the ancient world. From Pharaoh Teti, the first recorded victim of assassination, to Julius Caesar, despatched on the Ides of March, from Pompey the Great to Commodious, the Gladiator Emperor of Rome, so many rulers perished before their allotted period of time. In this new book, Phil Carradice takes a broad sweep at assassinations in the ancient world. Beginning with the Egyptian Empire, it traces the assassin's art through Greek, Roman, Biblical, Chinese, Byzantine and other periods or empires, up to and including the Kings and Emperors of the Dark Ages. The book does not stop there. It examines individual assassinations, motivation and practice and looks at assassination groups such as the thugee of India and the Sacred Band of Thebes.
Assassins’ Deeds
Assassins have been killing the powerful and famous for at least three thousand years. Personal ambition, revenge, and anger have encouraged many to violent deeds, like the Turkish sultan who had nineteen of his brothers strangled or the bodyguards who murdered a dozen Roman emperors. More recently have come new motives like religious and political fanaticism, revolution and liberation, with governments also getting in on the act, while many victims seem to have been surprisingly careless: Abraham Lincoln was killed after letting his bodyguard go for a drink. So, do assassinations work? Drawing on anecdote, historical evidence, and statistical analysis, Assassins’ Deeds delves into some of history’s most notorious acts, unveiling an intriguing cast of characters, ingenious methods of killing, and many unintended consequences.
Historical Assassinations
Historical Assassinations delves into pivotal moments in world history, examining significant political assassinations and their profound impact. It meticulously reconstructs events, probing the motivations behind these acts of political violence, from ambition to extremism. The book highlights how assassinations have reshaped political landscapes and triggered social change, illustrating that these are not isolated incidents but symptoms of deeper systemic issues. The book explores the historical context surrounding each assassination, providing a comprehensive overview of the prevailing political climate and ideological conflicts. For example, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand is examined for its pivotal role in triggering World War I. By studying these events, readers gain a nuanced understanding of factors driving political instability and the fragility of power structures. Structured chronologically and thematically, the book progresses through case studies grouped by era or region. This approach offers a comparative analysis across different historical periods and geographical regions, providing a fresh perspective on political history. This examination highlights the enduring consequences of human actions and offers valuable insights for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of power and violence.