Roman Empire: History's First Serial Killer

Roman Empire: History's First Serial Killer

Author: Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins June 5, 2025 Duration: 21:52
In the shadowy corners of the Roman Empire, Locusta perfected the deadly art of murder. Known as history's first serial killer, her story marks the chilling beginning of one of history's deadliest professions. Season 36 of Foul Play delves into serial killers from across eras, unveiling the notorious figures whose dark actions shaped history. Locusta was a cunning woman of ancient Rome, skilled in herbalism and potions. Before she became infamous, she was a resourceful survivor in a ruthless world where power and ambition knew no morals. Her talent for creating poisons made her sought after by Rome's elite, shaping her destiny in a society infamous for its treachery. This episode matters because it highlights the intersection of historical events and individual malice, offering insights into how the power dynamics of the Roman Empire could allow such a figure to thrive. Understanding Locusta’s story provides a window into ancient economics, politics, and crime, echoing themes still relevant today. Locusta's career began as court intrigues opened doors for her lethal skills. Rumored to have been involved in multiple political assassinations, including the infamous poisoning of Emperor Claudius, she became an unwitting icon in the grim saga of serial killers. Despite her capture and execution, her legend casts a long shadow, illustrating the Roman Empire's complex morality. During the Roman Empire, a period known for its technological advances and philosophical progress was paradoxically also a time of brutal power plays and political assassinations. Locusta operated in an era when a myriad of political factions vied for control, utilizing subterfuge as much as swords. In this episode, listeners will uncover how Locusta rose from obscurity to notoriety. We will explore the paths by which she avoided detection and thrived in a world teetering on the knife-edge of political chaos. Foul Play’s immersive storytelling brings her life—and her era’s dark underbelly—to vivid life. --- Support Foul Play: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foulplaypodcast Website: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/foul-play/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foul-play-crime-series/id1525832703 Follow us: Instagram: @foulplaycrimeseries Twitter: @foulplaypod

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Step back into an era of flickering gaslight and whispered secrets, where justice was often as murky as the London fog or as stark as a frontier town’s saloon. Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast exhumes long-forgotten criminal cases from the 1800s and early 1900s, meticulously piecing together stories that newspapers sensationalized and time nearly erased. Hosts Shane Waters, a veteran whose work helped shape the genre, and Wendy Cee, alongside researcher Gemma Hoskins, guide you through each meticulously researched season. They focus on a single, complete narrative, building the tension from the crime itself through the investigation and into the courtroom’s hushed drama. You’ll hear more than just the facts; you’ll get a sense of the societal pressures, the legal limitations, and the human lives entangled in each historical moment. This isn't about quick summaries-it's a deep, immersive audio experience that treats the past with the gravity it deserves. The podcast connects the dots using original documents, period accounts, and a clear-eyed analysis that separates legend from truth. It’s for anyone who wonders about the real stories lurking in the shadows of history, told with a journalist’s precision and a storyteller’s care for the victims and the complexities of their times. Listen to Foul Play for a compelling journey where every clue matters and history itself is the most important character.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Geneva: The Poisonous Nurse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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France: La Voisin and the Poison Affair [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:43
In the glittering court of Louis XIV's France, La Voisin built a criminal empire on the dark art of poisoning. Known for the Affair of the Poisons, she became a notorious figure, weaving crime and mysticism in a tale tha…
Taipei: Uncovering Evidence in The Chia Case [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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The final chapter of the Chia children's case scrutinizes unyielding mysteries... Join Foul Play's conclusive exploration in Season 35 as we revisit the complex case involving Charles and Jennifer Chia. In this final epi…
Taipei: Discovering The Chia Children Remains [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:23
A tragic discovery in Taipei brings the Chia children case back to light... In Season 35 of Foul Play, we continue to examine the devastating circumstances around the loss of Charles and Jennifer Chia. Nine months after…
Taipei: The Chia Children Case Begins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:49
In the heart of Taipei, the Chia children case unveils a despairing narrative... Season 35 of Foul Play examines the haunting circumstances surrounding Charles and Jennifer Chia, whose disappearance in 1989 still reverbe…