Roman Places

The city of Rome and its surrounding areas were home to some of the most spectacular and impressive architectural and engineering feats of the ancient world. From the Colosseum and the Pantheon to the Circus Maximus and the Forum, Roman places were a testament to the power, wealth, and ambition of the empire. In this section, we will take a tour of some of the most iconic and awe-inspiring landmarks and cities of the Roman world, exploring their history, significance, and enduring legacy.

Archaeologist Ivan Hristov displays the Jacuzzi heater

5 May, 2015 - 22:05 Mark Miller

Ancient Luxury Outpost with Heated Jacuzzi served Roman Emperor in Bulgaria

A highway outpost with a heated jacuzzi and swimming pool, plus a meeting place for VIPs, sits on a highway servicing a major world power. It sounds like a modern resort or hotel complex, but it was...

10 October, 2018 - 01:59 Michelle Freson

Djémila, Algeria: A Spectacular Roman City That’s Said to Rival all Others

In 1839, Ferdinand Philippe, son of King Louis-Philippe of France, commanded a military expedition with the intention of conquering eastern Algeria. Near the border of Mauretania , he came across the...

The discovery of the Visigoth sarcophagus in an abandoned Roman villa in the Murcia region of Spain.

19 July, 2021 - 19:00 Sahir

1,500-year-old Visigoth Sarcophagus Found at Roman Villa Site

The Visigoths, the so-called barbaric tribe that would ultimately defeat the Romans and bring down the Roman Empire, were an early Germanic warring people. The course of their wars would ultimately...

View of Palmyra in 2010 showing the Temple of Bel.

31 March, 2016 - 14:51 dhwty

The Ancient City of Palmyra: The Pearl of the Desert

Palmyra is an ancient city located in modern Syria which served as the capital of the Palmyrene Kingdom during the 3rd century AD. In May 2015, this city made the headlines and grabbed the attention...

The amazing Roman mosaic unearthed beneath the streets of Stari Grad on the Croatian island of Hvar. Source: Slobadna Dalmacıja / Arkeonews

22 February, 2022 - 13:57 Nathan Falde

Luxury Roman Villa and Mosaic Found on Croatian Island of Hvar

Archaeology on the Croatian island of Hvar in the Adriatic Sea is proceeding at a pace likely not exceeded anywhere else in the world. Just within the past two weeks, researchers affiliated with a...

29 September, 2015 - 21:46 ancient-origins

Three ancient cities to rival London, Paris and New York

London, Paris and New York are global cities: modern hubs for travel, technology and trade, their names and images echo around the globe, capturing our imaginations with their distinctive histories,...

This 2,000-year-old villa had luxurious ancient Roman underfloor heating. Source: Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa

6 November, 2022 - 13:50 ashley cowie

2,000-Year-Old Roman Villa Found in Germany had Luxurious Underfloor Heating

In 15 BC the Roman Emperor Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus, and his brother Tiberius attacked, subdued, and destroyed a Celtic settlement and founded the city of Cambodunum. Today, the foundations of...

15 March, 2021 - 13:59 dhwty

Italica, Spain: Rome’s First Settlement In Hispania Became Incredible!

Italica is an archaeological site located in the southern part of Spain, not far from Seville. The site dates to the Roman period and was founded by Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus. Italica is...

23 December, 2020 - 13:57 ashley cowie

Augustus Mausoleum - Largest Circular Tomb On Earth To Reopen In Rome

The massive tomb of Augustus, will reopen in March after a 10-million-euro ($12.25 million) project, which includes a virtual reality plug-in and has restored the ancient building to its former glory...

Roman legionary Source: serpeblu / Adobe Stock

14 June, 2020 - 22:58 Ed Whelan

Kings Weston Roman Villa, Where a Murder Lay Hidden for 1500 Years

Britain was part of the Roman Empire from the 1 st century AD to the start of the 5 th century AD when the emperor withdrew the legions from the islands and left the inhabitants to govern and fend...

The Seven Hills of Rome are considered to be located in the center of the city. Source: sborisov / Adobe Stock

12 September, 2020 - 13:59 Riley Winters

The Seven Hills of Rome: Center Stage in Rome’s Eventful History

The Seven Hills of Rome are a group of hills to the east of the Tiber River, the main river within the city. These hills are important as they are considered the center of the city of Rome, and it...

23 August, 2018 - 01:59 Michelle Freson

Gorsium Archaeological Park: Once A Thriving Roman City Forgotten For Centuries

Gorsium-Herculia, once strategically important enough to host Roman Emperors, was rediscovered in 1866 by Floris Romer, ‘the father of Hungarian archaeology.’ One Roman mile (1,620 yards) from the...

A ceremony taking place at the new Roman temple.

30 August, 2018 - 18:49 Caleb Strom

Neo-Romans Revive Classical Worship Ceremonies at New Iuppiter Perunus Temple

Worship of the ancient pagan gods is on the rise in many parts of Europe. Norse Neopaganism is becoming popular in Scandinavia, Germany, and elsewhere. Hellenic Neopaganism or simply “Hellenism,” is...

A place that sold street food, buried beneath volcanic debris for almost 2000 years, is to reopen in Pompeii, Italy next Easter. The Pompeii food stall is an amazing discovery for so many reasons.

12 August, 2021 - 01:54 ashley cowie

Spectacular 2000-Year-Old Pompeii Food Stall Reopens for Business!

A place that sold street food, buried beneath volcanic debris in Pompeii for almost 2000 years, is reopening. The Pompeii food stall is an amazing discovery for so many reasons. For decades,...

1 February, 2021 - 22:04 ashley cowie

Restoring The Roman Retreat Of Herculaneum Beach, Buried By Vesuvius

Herculaneum beach in the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum, buried along with Pompeii by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on October 24th 79 AD, is to be excavated and restored. When the archaeologists...

Students on site during excavation works at Tas-Silġ, Malta. Source: Times of Malta

23 August, 2020 - 18:01 Ed Whelan

Roman Temple Discovered Under a Farmhouse in Malta

Malta lies at the very heart of the Mediterranean and it has many historic ruins and sites attesting to that fact. Now another feature has been added to the list. While working on a restoration...

The Roman ruins at Valeria in Castilla-La Mancha. Source: Cultura Castilla-La Mancha

22 July, 2021 - 15:05 Cecilia Bogaard

Valeria: Thriving Roman Holiday Resort Emerging From Abandoned Ruins

Standing at these Roman ruins in the Spanish province of Cuenca, it’s hard to imagine that Valeria was a bustling Roman city 2,000 years ago. “You have to imagine a visitor entering the city through...

3 October, 2020 - 22:00 Ed Whelan

Vesuvius Eruption Turned Victim’s Brain to Glass!

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius is perhaps the best-known natural disaster in the ancient world. It preserved whole towns and human remains, which have all been priceless from an archaeological point...

Trajan's Column and The Church of the Most Holy Name of Mary at the Trajan Forum, Rome, Italy.

3 September, 2019 - 17:37 Riley Winters

Trajan's Column: An Unyielding Pillar of Imperial Strength

A pillar of Emperor Trajan's military victories, the Column of Trajan is as much a benchmark of Rome's strength as an empire as it is a monument to Trajan's success as a leader. Situated at the...

16 February, 2021 - 21:57 dhwty

Thebes, A City Formed by The Warriors Who Sprang from a Dragon’s Teeth

In ancient times, Thebes was one of the major Greek city states, and a rival of Athens. Later on, however, Thebes fell to the Macedonians, and was eventually conquered by the Romans. The post-...

Section of the ruins of the city of Thuburbo Maius, Tunisia.

4 November, 2015 - 03:16 dhwty

The History and Photogenic Ruins of the Forgotten City of Thuburbo Maius

Carthage was at one point of time Rome’s greatest rival in the Mediterranean. This great civilization was first founded as a Phoenician colony in modern day Tunisia and extended its influence in time...

25 September, 2020 - 00:51 Ed Whelan

The Triumphal Arch of Orange in France - Symbol of the Roman Empire

The Romans left behind remarkable monuments and their influence on architecture cannot be overstated. Many of their public monuments commemorated a military victory and sought to legitimize their...

The Forum, Roman ruins Source: sborisov / Adobe Stock

20 April, 2020 - 01:22 Ed Whelan

The Forum: Epicenter of the Mighty Roman Empire

Italy takes pride in its long history and is home to some of the most famous architectural monuments, as well as archaeological locations. The Roman Forum was the heart, not only of the city, but...

30 October, 2019 - 12:49 dhwty

Ostia Antica: The First Roman Colony

Ostia Antica is an archaeological site located on the outskirts of Rome . Although the Romans referred to the site as Ostia, this article will use the term Ostia Antica, so as to avoid confusion with...