On May 31, AD 455, the civic career (and indeed life) of Emperor Petronius Maximus, leader of the Western Roman Empire, came to a bloody end when a crowd – egged on by his political opponents – stoned him to death in Rome.
Petronius had previously been an impressive Consul of Rome and a star turn in the Senate. But his part in the assassination of his disastrous and ineffective predecessor Valentine III had proved to be too controversial.
Within two days of Petronius’s death the Vandals swept unchecked into Rome, wreaking havoc for two weeks, destroying buildings and smashing works of art before shipping a large part of the city’s population off into slavery.
The word vandalism for mindless destruction stands as a memorial to the episode and within 21 years the Western Empire had dissolved.
Roll on 1,565 years and the angry mob looks like ranters on social media, pontificating media personalities, Remainers seeking revenge, politicians from opposition parties and Left-wing activists laying siege to a home in north London.
This story is from the May 31, 2020 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 31, 2020 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Birthday boy Jesurun gift-wraps points for the unbeaten Blades
JESURUN RAK-SAKYI struck twice on his 22nd birthday as unbeaten SHEFFIELD UNITED defeated LUTON 2-0 at home to move level on points with Championship leaders SUNDERLAND.
PALACE REIGN FOR KINGS OF THE ROAD
THE Slot machine paid out yet another jackpot as Liverpool dug deep for a priceless and gritty victory.
Punch & Judy next in line to be 'cancelled' fears veteran
HE'S been entertaining children and adults alike for six decades with his traditional Punch and Judy shows.
How Rick's traumatic childhood drove him to succeed
\"IT'S A desperately poignant way to sum up one's childhood. \"I remember being frightened all the time as a kid,\" recalls Rick. He traces the trauma to a grave tragedy in the family before he was even born.
Harry extends 'solo' trip without Meghan
PRINCE Harry has extended his solo trip abroad without wife Meghan, the Sunday Express has learned.
How Queen bagged her cheeky escapes
IN a lifetime of meeting the public, the late Queen famously used her handbag to secretly signal to her courtiers when she was ready to leave an event.
Trump's return to brush with death spot
A SECRET Service ring of steel surrounded Donald Trump last night as he prepared to hold a rally in the same spot where he was almost killed by an assassin three months ago.
Migrants perish as Cooper slams gangs
A TODDLER trampled to death in a small boat was among four migrants who died off the French coast yesterday.
‘Inspirational’ Kemi wins backing of US governor DeSantis
KEMI Badenoch's leadership bid has been endorsed by one of the US Republicans' most influential figures.
Leadership hopeful fired up by Reagan
JAMES Cleverly wants to bring the spirit of Ronald Reagan to the Tory Party as he enters a critical week in his bid to become leader, he tells the Sunday Express today.