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

by Adrienne Mayor

Book Overview

A compelling biography of the legendary king, rebel, and poisoner who defied the Roman Empire

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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0691150265
• ISBN13: 9780691150260
• Release Date: March 2011
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 1.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.8" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Why read fictional fantasy when the real thing is much better?

I picked up this book not knowing much about the ancient kingdom of Pontus or the life story of Mithradates. I was expecting it to be a dry, dull, boring biography. Instead it read as a great adventure story. This book will probably be read mostly by people interested in the history of the period, but I recommend it to another group -- those who love epic fantasy and the worlds of Middle Earth and Narnia. What gives this story so much more weight is that it's real!

one of my best reads of the year

This is a marvelous book of historical value, that reads like a modern thriller. The detail is mesmerizing and the story is true. As a bookseller, this is a definite "hand sell", which is when you put the book in the customer's hand and guarantee their satisfaction. That is not done often, but when you love a book, you honor your commitment. Adrienne Mayor has done a rare feat, made dusty history exciting and contemporary. She is a talented scholar who brings the past to life in all the details and storyline. I read this in one fast weekend and am still remembering how it thrilled me. It's a rare thing when a book such as this excites the general audience. The Midwife's Tale, a prize-winner by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, comes to mind in comparing this quality writing and the impact it provides to the reader. A must read and highly recommended! Let me know if you disagree, I can't imagine why...

Lively and Quite Captivating

Some books on ancient history can be tremendously detailed and often, as a result of this, can also be rather boring for a general reader, despite the fact that such books may be aimed at a broad readership. Fortunately, this book is clearly not in that category. Mixing appropriate amounts of detail along with often gripping narrative, the author sheds light on what was, for me, a relatively little-known king who lived in the first century B.C. and who occasionally threatened Rome; the books that I've read on first century B.C. Roman history mention Mithradates in passing but little more. This book very nicely fills in the gap. It covers Mithradates' life based on ancient sources and archaeological evidence. The many blanks in the historical record are identified and filled in based on other related information as well as professional judgement. I found this book to be very well written and in a style that is clear, friendly, authoritative, widely accessible and quite engaging. Complete with several very useful maps and many illustrations, this book can be enjoyed by anyone; however, ancient history buffs will likely appreciate it the most.

Fantastic!

I have read several historical novels with my favorite up to now being Cicero by Antony Everitt. However, methinks that The Poison King will move to the top of the list. The Poison King is beautifully written and illustrated. What I love about this book is that it gives an objective portrayal of one of the greatest enemies of the Roman Republic. I highly recommend this book to anyone. Fans of ancient history will be enthralled with the portrait of Mithradates painted by Ms. Mayor. Other readers will soon become fans of ancient history.

Exciting narrative, based on deep research

This is the first biography in a over century of a major figure in Roman history. The story of Mithradates is a thrilling one and Mayor's narrative carries you along through an amazing series of twists and turns. The book is based on a great deal of in-depth research on ancient Roman writers, archeology, art, and ancient and modern science. The historical speculation is careful and clearly marked. Although this book often reads like a novel, it stays true to the history. The author's guess-work is always clearly flagged. Opens up a new perspective on the age-old conflict between East and West and on the fall of the Roman Republic. Highly recommended.