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
Riverside: Cheri Jo Bates and The Zodiac Link [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In Riverside, 1966, Cheri Jo Bates was brutally murdered, sparking questions...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPriv…
California: Zodiac's Letters & 340 Cipher [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:26
When the infamous 340 Cipher arrived, it deepened the chilling puzzle that...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivac…
San Francisco: Paul Stine's Zodiac Cab Murder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:10
On a routine night in Presidio Heights, San Francisco, the Zodiac Killer...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy…
California: Zodiac's Attack on Bryan Hartnell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:03
The idyllic afternoon beside Lake Berryessa was shattered by the chilling...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy…
Lake Berryessa: The Zodiac's Infamous Attack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:36
Amidst the serene landscape of Lake Berryessa, the Zodiac Killer launched...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy…
Trailer: San Francisco's Zodiac Killer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36
Unmask the terror of San Francisco's Zodiac Killer in this captivating preview. As we plunge into the darkness of the late 1960s, explore the chilling saga of a predator who methodically mesmerized and terrified Northern…
San Francisco: The Zodiac's First Letters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:13
In 1969, the Zodiac Killer, infamous for his cryptic ciphers, mailed his...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy…
Vallejo: Zodiac's Ferrin & Mageau Attack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:31
Uncover Zodiac's Ferrin & Mageau Attack, as Foul Play reveals... Experience the harrowing events of July 4th, 1969, in Vallejo, California, when the Zodiac Killer’s terrifying actions once again came to the fore. In this…
Mysteries on the True Crime Express [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:04
...1 historic steam train... ...9 exceptional true crime podcasts... ...9 tales woven with the spirit of Women's Day... ...Will YOU unravel the mysteries aboard?This International Women's Day, join Shane Waters and Wendy…
Benicia: Zodiac's Jensen & Faraday Murders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:09
Relive Zodiac's Jensen & Faraday Murders, delving into chilling... Join us as we revisit these infamous crimes that sent shockwaves through California. The narrative of Betty Lou Jensen and David Faraday’s tragic demise…