Debra Hamel’s Killing Eratosthenes tells the true story of a murder trial that took place in ancient Athens. Euphiletus, the defendant, freely admitted to killing Eratosthenes, whom he'd found in bed with his wife. But he argued that his execution of the young man was legally justified. Killing Eratosthenes talks readers through Euphiletus' version of events—from the early days of his marriage to the night he killed his wife's lover—providing relevant background along the way. The book is intended for a general audience. No prior knowledge of the period is required.
REVIEWS
A Common Reader: "My first introduction to Debra Hamel was with Reading Herodotus: A Guided Tour through the Wild Boars, Dancing Suitors, and Crazy Tyrants of The History, a great introduction to one of my favorite books, The Histories (and yes, a post on it is overdue). She has recently written a fun little book looking at a murder trial in ancient Athens." read more
CAST YOUR BALLOT
Unfortunately, we don't know what verdict was reached in Euphiletus' trial two and a half millennia ago. But readers of Killing Eratosthenes are invited to cast their votes for his guilt or innocence in the poll below.
PRONUNCIATION
Click the audio controls below to hear how the names and terms are pronounced.
apotympanismos
archon basileus
Areopagus
Delphinium
ekphora
ephetai
Eratosthenes
Euphiletus
Harmodius
kakourgoi, kakourgos
Lysias
moicheia
moichoi, moichos
psephos demosia
Sostratus
Thesmophoria
COMMENTS
Feel free to discuss your verdict or anything else relevant to the book below, but keep it nice! Trollish and offensive comments won't be posted.