Book description
Machiavelli praised his military genius. European royalty sought out his secret elixir against poison. His life inspired Mozart's first opera, while for centuries poets and playwrights recited bloody, romantic tales of his victories, defeats, intrigues, concubines, and mysterious death. But until now no modern historian has recounted the full story…
Why read it?
1 author picked The Poison King as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
I loved this book because it was a readable, compelling look at one of the great villains (or heroes, depending upon your perspective) of the Classical world.
I found the imaginative, but historically informed, reconstructions of Mithridates’ life refreshing; they gave the venomous protagonist a humanity that is often lacking in ancient biographies. In the author’s words, this is a ‘rollicking good story’—and as such, you will not be disappointed.
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