Did the ancient Greeks and Romans have conspiracy theories? Did they come close to an industrial revolution? Did they drink beer?

In a series of fast-paced essays, Insane Emperors, Sunken Cities, and Earthquake Machines answers 40 questions that ancient historian Garrett Ryan has been asked in the classroom and through his popular YouTube channel ToldinStone. As in Dr. Ryan's previous book - Naked Statues, Fat Gladiators, and War Elephants - the emphasis is on the fascinating details of daily life in the classical world.

Discover the answers to:

Did the ancient Greeks and Romans have tattoos?

Did they practice Buddhism?

Did they know when the Pyramids were built?

Did a tsunami inspire the Story of Atlantis?

How deadly was the eruption that destroyed Pompeii?

What was it like to live through the fall of the Roman Empire?

Why are ancient cities buried?

What happened to the treasures of the Roman emperors?

How much was lost when the Library of Alexandria burned?

In a series of short and humorous essays, Insane Emperors, Sunken Cities, and Earthquake Machines features more answers to questions that ancient historian Garrett Ryan is frequently asked in the classroom, in online forums, and on his popular YouTube channel Told in Stone.

"In a series of questions and lively answers, this book covers a wide range of different themes from the Ancient World. Fascinating and fun, it will delight any enthusiast for the Classical World and History buff." –Dr. Adrian Goldsworthy, author of Caesar, Augustus, and How Rome Fell

"Separating fact from fable and covering both details of daily life and the grand events of history, Ryan offers highly entertaining yet historically accurate insights into the fascinating civilizations of the ancient Greek and Romans. Structured around 40 stimulating questions covering the who, what, where, and how of ancient history, this book serves up a feast of delightful anecdotes and easy-to-digest yet authoritative mini-essays that reveal the secrets of a lost world in which the truth is often more astonishing and captivating than any fiction." –Prof. Gregory S. Aldrete, author of Daily Life in the Roman City