This week, Jeff Popple reviews three fascinating history books about ancient Egyptians, Romans and ghosts. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog, murdermayhemandlongdogs.com

The Cleopatras by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones

Wildfire, $34.99

Cleopatra, lover of Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony, has been immortalised in popular history and fiction. But unbeknown to most, she was actually the last of seven Cleopatras who ruled Egypt before it was subsumed into the Roman Empire. For decades, the Cleopatras dominated the usually patriarchal worlds of politics and warfare, and welded absolute power. Their ruthlessness and focus on domination through the generations resulted in extraordinary acts of betrayal, violence, and intrigue that would rival any modern television show. It is a world that Llewellyn-Jones brings vividly to life in this compelling account of a powerful, but totally dysfunctional, dynasty. 

Pox Romana by Colin Elliott

Princeton University Press, $59.99

Colin Elliott’s Pox Romana is a fascinating examination of the world’s first pandemic, which shook the Roman Empire and eventually led to its decline. In the middle of the second century AD, Rome was at the apex of its prosperity and power. When out of nowhere a sudden sickness struck the people and laid waste to the cities, including Rome. The combination of plague, climate crises and war fatally undermined the Empire and exposed its fragility. Using a combination of traditional historical research and modern interdisciplinary techniques, Elliott offers a lucidly written account of the plague, and its effects, which strongly resonates today.   

Ghosts Of The British Museum by Noah Angell

Monoray, $34.99

Romans and Egyptians also feature in Noah Angell’s totally beguiling account of strange goings on at the British Museum. After hearing whispered stories about ghostly sightings at the British Museum, Angell set out to discover more, and over seven years interviewed numerous current and former employees of the Museum. From respected curators to overnight security guards, Angell was swamped with testimonies about strange occurrences, sightings, and spectral encounters.  Set against broader historical events and contemporary issues, these stories paint an absorbing picture of imperialism, plunder, and restless spirits.  A must-read for anyone interested in history, museums, and ghosts.