Monsters and monarchs : serial killers in classical myth and history / Debbie Felton

Author:: Felton, Debbie
Published:: Austin, TX : University of Texas Press, 2021.
Copyright Date:: ©2021
Edition:: First edition.
Physical Description:: 226 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm

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Contents:

Introduction. Serial killers in the ancient world -- Identifying serial killers then and now -- Methods to the madness -- What motivates serial killers across the ages -- Murderous Greek roof-tiles and other legal problems -- Murder and the advantages of roman citizenship -- The popularity of serial poisoning -- Heracles and the headhunters -- Theseus and the highway killers -- From murderous contests to Olympic sport -- Serial murders in local legends -- Serial slaying of suitors and spouses -- Witches and other child-murderers -- Serial murder then and now, there and here

Summary:

"Although serial killers are often thought to be a recent phenomenon, with accounts frequently beginning with Jack the Ripper, Felton aims to demonstrate that serial killers were nearly as common in the ancient world as they are in the modern one, using evidence from Greek and Roman history and folklore. She argues that the evidence from classical antiquity very strongly suggests that the existence of serial killers was recognized thousands of years ago and that, despite popular belief, serial murders are certainly not just a relatively recent development. Mythological monsters as well as human criminals described by ancient authors fit various serial killer profiles down to very specific details. This book investigates these stories and more to shed light on the centuries-old phenomenon of serial killing. Felton draws frequent comparisons to modern-day killers like Jeffrey Dahmer or John Wayne Gacy and their methods, while also bringing in other instances from across the centuries as further examples"--

Report Numbers:

Z UA380.8 F347mo

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ISBN:

9781477303795 hardcover
1477303790 hardcover
9781477323571 paperback
1477323570 paperback

Bibliography Note:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 211-217) and index.

Endowment Note:

David G. Lashin Memorial Fund

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