About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their child complains that history is boring or when they want to engage a reluctant reader who gravitates toward gross-out humor and fast-paced facts. It is the perfect antidote to dry textbooks, offering a cheeky and subversive look at the Roman Empire through the lens of its most eccentric (and often cruel) leaders and strange daily habits. While the tone is lighthearted and comedic, it deals with the grit of the ancient world: gladiator combat, unusual medical practices, and the harsh realities of Roman law. It is best suited for children aged 7 to 12 who have a strong sense of curiosity and a stomach for the 'yucky' side of human history. Parents will appreciate how it builds historical literacy and vocabulary while keeping the child genuinely entertained through witty illustrations and short, digestible anecdotes.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
1. DISTRESS: The book contains detailed descriptions of historical violence, including public executions, gladiator fights where people and animals are killed, and the assassination of emperors. While presented with a humorous tone and cartoon illustrations, a sensitive 7-year-old might find the concept of being fed to lions or the casual nature of Roman cruelty unsettling. 2. CONVERSATION: Be ready to discuss the reality of slavery in Rome, as the book's humorous tone may require a serious conversation about the loss of human rights and the cruelty of being owned by another person. Also, the concept of 'justice' in Rome (trial by ordeal or cruel punishment) may require a discussion on how laws and human rights have evolved.
Ideal Reader
An 8-to-10-year-old who loves trivia, gross-out humor (like Captain Underpants or Wimpy Kid), and wants to feel like they are getting the 'secret' version of history teachers don't usually tell.
Parent Prep
It is helpful to skim the sections on Gladiators to prepare for questions about why people were forced to fight to the death for entertainment. A child might ask about the more gruesome execution methods mentioned in the 'Cruel Kings' section or repeat a particularly 'foul' fact about Roman toilets at the dinner table.
Age Experience
Younger readers (7-8) will focus on the funny drawings and the 'ew' factor of Roman food. Older readers (11-12) will better grasp the political ironies and the sheer scale of the Roman Empire's influence.
What Makes It Special
Unlike standard history books, Deary uses cynicism and satire to make historical figures feel human and fallible, which makes the information much stickier for young brains.
Read plot summary
Rotten Romans is a non-fiction humor book that explores the darker, stranger, and more disgusting aspects of the Roman Empire. It covers the rise and fall of Rome, the lives of emperors like Nero and Caligula, the brutal reality of the Colosseum, and the everyday lives of Roman citizens, including their food, hygiene, and superstitions.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The Romans thought watching people fight in the Colosseum was fun entertainment. Why do you think people back then felt so differently about violence than we do today?
2
If you had to choose, would you rather be a rich Roman emperor with lots of enemies or a poor Roman citizen who is relatively safe? why?
3
Terry Deary calls these the 'Rotten' Romans. After reading about their inventions and laws, do you think they were mostly 'rotten' or actually quite 'smart'?
4
Which of the 'foul facts' about Roman medicine or food surprised you the most, and why wouldn't those things work today?
