Roman Figures

Welcome to our website section dedicated to exploring the lives and legacies of the fascinating figures who shaped the Roman world. From emperors to generals, poets to philosophers, and even notorious figures like Caligula and Nero, the individuals who left their mark on Rome continue to captivate and intrigue us today. Through their actions, they shaped the course of history, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence our world in countless ways. In this section, we delve into the lives and impact of these fascinating figures, examining their accomplishments, controversies, and lasting contributions to the Roman world and beyond. Join us on a journey through the lives of some of the most iconic figures in history, and discover the stories behind the legends.

Roman gladiators lived fascinating, brutal, lives

25 September, 2020 - 21:23 Fiona McCoss

The Real Lives of Roman Gladiators

Roman gladiators are some of the most iconic characters in history and have defined how we think of entertainment in ancient Rome. Their portrayal in films and stories has turned them into archetypal...

Modern representation of Bellona, the Roman goddess of war.

4 May, 2018 - 13:58 dhwty

Bellona: The Roman Goddess of War and Artistic Muse

Linked to war, destruction, conquest, and bloodlust, Bellona was a mighty figure in the ancient Roman pantheon of gods. As a personification of war, Bellona became quite a popular figure in the arts...

The profiles of the some of the most powerful and influential Ancient Leaders. Source: Ded Pixto by Adobe Stock

6 March, 2023 - 17:53 Robbie Mitchell

9 Ancient Leaders Who Changed the Course of History

The annals of history are filled with tales of great leaders who have left their mark on the world, shaping the course of human events through their actions, decisions, and vision. From conquerors...

5 September, 2018 - 02:12 dhwty

The Praetorian Guards: To Serve and Protect the Roman Emperors… Most of the Time

The Praetorian Guard is said to be one of the most prestigious military units in the ancient world, and is arguably one of the most well-known today. These elite soldiers are best known for serving...

18 January, 2019 - 22:45 dhwty

When Julius Caesar Was Kidnapped by Pirates - And Made Them Increase the Ransom!

Piracy is a practice that can be dated all the way back to ancient times. In the Mediterranean, pirates were not a major threat as long as they could be kept in check, usually by a strong navy. By...

Detail of ‘The Love Potion’ (1903) by Evelyn de Morgan. Unlike the creation of this woman, Locusta of Gaul’s potions were made in hatred. Source: Public Domain

28 March, 2020 - 12:49 Aleksa Vučković

Locusta of Gaul – Nero’s Notorious Poison Maker

Poison was always the silent killer. Kings and emperors fell prey to it as easily as an unsuspecting servant. Throughout medieval and classical history, poison and those who knew how to prepare it...

St. Benedict of the Benedictines receiving Totila, king of the Ostrogoths. Source: Paklao / Public Domain.

6 December, 2019 - 14:06 dhwty

The Rule of the Benedictines, the Black Monks of Europe

The Order of St. Benedict ( Ordo Sancti Benedicti in Latin, abbreviated as OSB), known also as the Benedictines (sometimes referred to as Black Monks, due to the color of their religious habits), is...

The assassination of Julius Caesar by William Holmes Sullivan (1836-1908). Source: Public Domain

21 October, 2021 - 18:53 ashley cowie

Study Proves Statistical Probability of Violent Death for Roman Emperors

In December 2019 Ancient Origins reported that Dr. Joseph Saleh, an aerospace engineer at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States, had published a study in the online journal Nature...

16 August, 2019 - 00:51 Barry Strauss

Running the Family Business of the Roman Empire: Augustus the Founder

Over three and a half centuries the Roman Empire - as seen through the lives of 10 of the most important emperors - gained in splendor and territory, then lost both. Over the ages the emperors...

Replica of the Sarcophagus of Scipio Barbatus at the Scipios Tomb.

17 April, 2017 - 02:01 Natalia Klimczak

Hannibal’s Conqueror Brings Everlasting Glory to the Scipios Family Tomb

A monument created for one man stands in the heart of Rome, but it became an eternal house for his entire family. The remarkable construction conceals the secrets of generations of people whose fame...

21 June, 2018 - 04:54 Riley Winters

The Illustrious Life of Pliny the Elder, Ancient Historian and Roman Commander

Gaius Plinius Secundus, better known in history as Pliny the Elder, was an influential administrator, officer, and author during his life. Although he was only fifty-six years old at the time of his...

21 October, 2014 - 13:47 Riley Winters

The Roman god Bacchus as a Christian icon

Before the acceptance of Christianity, Roman polytheism was dominant in the western world. Rome's borders extended as far west as Britain and as far east as modern day Greece and Turkey. To help ease...

Emperor Domitian by Domenico Fetti. Musee du Louvre.

26 January, 2019 - 13:48 dhwty

Why Was Emperor Domitian Hated by the Elite but Loved by the People?

Domitian was a Roman emperor who lived during the 1 st century AD. He was the son of Vespasian, and the younger brother of Titus, whom he succeeded as emperor. Together, these three emperors form the...

30 November, 2020 - 20:28 MartiniF

Marcus Tullius Cicero: Family Man, Friend and Father

In modern times, Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 - 43 BC) is remembered as the greatest Roman orator. A prolific thinker, his writings include books on rhetoric, orations, philosophical and political...

‘Marius sitting on the Ruins of Carthage’ (circa 1791-1794) by Pierre-Joseph François.

4 October, 2017 - 13:53 Marc Hyden

Banished by Caesar and Executed by Mark Antony: Did the Charismatic ‘Grandson of Gaius Marius’ Have a Legitimate Claim to the Roman Empire?

Long before imposters claimed to be Anastasia of Russia’s Romanov dynasty, a genealogical mystery consumed ancient Rome. No later than 45 BC, a man emerged who claimed to be the famous Gaius Marius’...