Ancient Jokes

Can jokes win a hostile room, a hopeless argument, or even an election? You bet they can, according to Cicero, and he knew what he was talking about. One of Rome's greatest politicians, speakers, and lawyers, Cicero was also reputedly one of antiquity's funniest people. After he was elected commander-in-chief and head of state, his enemies even started calling him "the stand-up Consul". How to Tell a Joke provides a lively new translation of Cicero's essential writing on humor alongside that of the later Roman orator and educator Quintilian.

The Art of Wit is your essential guide to understanding the science, psychology, and cultural impact of humor. This engaging audiobook explores the anatomy of a great joke, the power of comedic timing, and how humor transcends cultures and generations. Learn how to craft your own jokes, revive ancient humor for modern audiences, and navigate the ethical boundaries of comedy.

What if the secret to timeless humor was buried in the ruins of Rome, etched on scrolls, whispered in the agora, or passed down by philosophers with a wicked sense of irony? In Secrets of Ancient Humor, Lucius Aurelius revives the comedic genius of the ancients—so you can master the art of joke-telling that’s endured for millennia. From the sharp satire of Aristophanes to the dry wit of Seneca, this practical and entertaining guide reveals how ancient humor still slaps (and why).

It isn’t just household debris. It moves. It breathes. It hungers. When Marcie Whitaker inherits her grandmother’s Victorian mansion in the secluded town of Thornbrook, she expects old furniture and outdated wallpaper—not dust bunnies watching her from every corner. Generations of Whitakers have fed these creatures with blood and secrets, maintaining a covenant none fully understood. And Marcie is the new dust-keeper. “Mind the corners,” her grandmother’s final warning echoes. But which is the true threat: the dust that seeks communion with her blood or what they’ve been ...

I wanted to write a book that makes people laugh when they read about Stoicism. Comedy is an important way of revealing truth to us in its different forms. I also wanted to educate people about Stoicism while comparing it to other philosophies or topics or things in a tongue-in-cheek way.