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If you ever thought casting shade on people was a product of the 21st century, and social media in particular, you might want to sit down for this. Roasting is actually a classic tradition, beautifully preserved and cataloged in the annals of what we could define as historic roasts. Forget our ancestors' stereotypical politeness and stiff upper lips — our past wasn't just made of wars, revolutions, and grand scientific discoveries. It was also peppered with some of the wittiest roasts of all time! Nothing less than verbal sword fights that left their targets speechless and the rest of the people present totally amused.

These delicate, or not so delicate, plays of words weren't even limited to an era or region. From ancient senators giving a piece of their minds to their rivals to modern-day stand-up comedians delivering epic comebacks on national television, this art has been celebrated universally by thinkers, politicians, and even royalty. Just ask Cicero, whose sharp tongue led to some of the Roman Empire's best roasts, or Winston Churchill, whose "poisoned coffee" joke became iconic. They really had a knack for throwing shade, and their words still echo through history books and social media memes as examples of famous roasts.

Are you eager to discover these humorous exchanges of the past? Excellent, because we've curated a list of the greatest, most iconic roasts in history for your reading pleasure. Not just the best insults in history, but cleverly crafted comments that have stood the test of time, a testament to this fabulous art — because roasting isn't just for Thanksgiving turkeys. Oh, and while you're enjoying this journey of historical snark and sass, remember: every roast tells a story. And these stories are waiting for your judgment. So, as you venture forth, don't forget to upvote the historical roasts that made you snort out loud!

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