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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 mythology from Ovid’s Metamorphoses – Diana and Actaeon by Giuseppe Cesari
8 January, 2019 - 14:07 dhwty

Roman Mythology of the Ages of Man, Metamorphoses and the Founding of Rome

The Romans possessed a rich mythology that exerted (and continues to exert) a significant influence on Western culture. Many Roman myths, specifically those concerning the gods, have their equivalent...
Six of the Roman Emperors:
10 November, 2017 - 22:58 Riley Winters

A Succinct Timeline of Roman Emperors—400 Years of Power Condensed

To say that the Roman Empire had its ups and downs would be the understatement of all understatements. No “nation” was more abruptly destabilized or even more abruptly stabilized than that of ancient...
Allesandro Magnasco: Theodosius I Repulsed from the Church by Saint Ambrose.
8 November, 2018 - 21:58 dhwty

Emperor Theodosius I: Religious Intolerance in Ancient Rome and The End of the Olympics

Theodosius I (also known as Theodosius the Great) lived during the 4th century AD. He was the last Roman emperor to rule over both the eastern and western halves of the Roman Empire. It was during...
The so-called “Brutus” Marble.
1 May, 2017 - 02:02 dhwty

Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger: Ultimate Betrayer or a Hero of the Roman Empire?

Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger, commonly referred to as just ‘Brutus’, was a politician who lived towards the end of the Roman Republic. Brutus is best known for being one of the main conspirators...
The Frumentarii were the eyes and ears of the Roman Emperor. Source: oz/AdobeStock
7 March, 2023 - 17:53 Aleksa Vučković

Frumentarii - The Roman Emperor’s Eyes and Ears

Throughout the world’s history, many of the kingdoms, empires, and rulers depended on some sort of a secretive assistance. Powerful realms are like intricate machines - filled with secrets. To...
Fresco from the Vatican depicting the Battle of the Milvian Bridge that took place on October 28, 312 between the Roman emperors Constantine I and Maxentius. Source: CC BY-SA 2.0
22 June, 2022 - 18:45 Mark Brophy

The Battle of Milvian Bridge: The Battle That Brought Christianity to Rome

In October of 312, a battle would take place that would not only make Constantine I the ruler of the entire Roman Empire but would change its course in history forever. The Battle of the Milvian...
Cacus – The One Who Dared Cross Hercules
25 March, 2020 - 12:52 dhwty

Cacus – The One Who Dared Cross Hercules

According to Roman mythology, Cacus was a thief who stole from the hero Hercules (whose Greek equivalent was Heracles), which was the action that resulted in the former’s death. There are several...
Depiction of one of the deaths of Roman emperors. In this case Roman senators murder Emperor Julius Caesar during a senate meeting. He served as emperor for just over 4 years. Source: Emilio Ereza / Adobe stock
24 December, 2019 - 18:46 Ed Whelan

Stats Geeks Reveal Shocking Trend in Mortality of Roman Emperors

A new study has revealed a fascinating insight into the pattern of violent deaths of Roman emperors. Researchers have been able to create a statistical model of the life expectancy of the rulers of...
Tiberius as Jupiter – II.
15 May, 2018 - 13:45 dhwty

Was Emperor Tiberius Simply Destined to Rule?

Tiberius was a Roman emperor who ruled the empire during the first half of the 1st century AD. As he was the successor of Augustus Caesar, his adoptive father, he was the second ruler of the Roman...
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa.
8 March, 2016 - 03:52 dhwty

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa: Statesman, General, and Friend of Augustus

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was one of the most powerful and influential men who lived during the early days of the Roman Empire. Agrippa was a statesman, general, and most important of all, a close...
Montage of Roman Empire imagery including statue representative of Livy. Source: Freesurf/Adobe Stock
19 December, 2022 - 21:53 Robbie Mitchell

Has Livy’s History of Rome Skewed Our View of the Early Empire?

Titus Livius, or just Livy for short, was one of the most famous historians in all of history. One of the three great Roman historians, his masterpiece, Ab Urbe Condita, made him a legend in his own...
Mithras and the bull, fresco from Temple of Mithras, Marino, Italy, dated 2nd century AD. Source: Public Domain
31 August, 2020 - 18:45 John S. Richardson

Mithras, the Persian God Championed by the Roman Army

Mithras the god originated in the east, in Persia (modern day Iran) where he was first worshipped. When soldiers of the Roman Empire came back to the West they brought this cult with them and in time...
Hercules and Deianira circa 1475–80.
16 April, 2017 - 23:00 Natalia Klimczak

An Unfortunate Fate and Nasty Gods: The Tragic Story of Mythical Deianira and Her Lover Hercules

Deianira became a famous heroine after the release of the TV show ''Hercules,'' with Kevin Sorbo, and the Disney movie about the mythical hero. Her real story, although still juicy, isn't the same...
‘Vitellius dragged through the streets of Rome by the populace’ Georges Rochegrosse (1883). (Deriv.) Is he one example of a Roman emperor assassinated due to bad weather?
10 August, 2018 - 13:54 Alicia McDermott

Fair-Weather Friends: A Weird Explanation for 20% of Roman Emperor Assassinations

Long bouts of bad weather have been blamed as a cause for the downfall of ancient civilizations around the world. Now, researchers have proposed a hypothesis that seems to support the idea that the...
King Shapur of Persia Humiliating Emperor Valerian (Public Domain) Background: court of the emperor Valerian, painting circa 1450. (Public Domain); Deriv. By Martini Fisher
14 August, 2017 - 15:34 MartiniF

What Really Happened to Valerian? Was the Roman Emperor Humiliated and Skinned at the Hands of the Enemy?

The death of Valerian is traditionally known as one of the most dramatic and unfortunate of all the deaths of the Roman emperors. The widely accepted story is that Valerian wanted to end the war with...
Julius Caesar
11 November, 2019 - 18:58 Aleksa Vučković

The Deeds of Julius Caesar, Rome’s Greatest Son

There is hardly a more popular historical figure in the annals of ancient Rome, than one of its most distinguished generals and statesmen – Julius Caesar. The story of the man who managed to...
The Emperor Commodus Leaving the Arena at the Head of the Gladiators by American muralist Edwin Howland Blashfield. Source: Public Domain
27 July, 2022 - 14:58 Mark Brophy

5 Celebrity Gladiators of Bloodthirsty Ancient Rome

Fierce fighters, enslaved and forced into a world of violence and brutality, Roman gladiators provided gruesome entertainment to the Roman public, training for months in specialized schools managed...
The smiling sphinx unearthed in Egypt. Source: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
7 March, 2023 - 13:33 Sahir

Rare Smiling Sphinx Statue Found in Egypt and it May Depict Emperor Claudius

Archaeologists in southern Egypt have uncovered a remarkable miniature sphinx statue, sporting a rare feature of a smiling face with two dimples. The artifact was found near the Hathor Temple in a...
Zeno was buried alive. Source: alswart / Adobe Stock
23 June, 2022 - 01:10 Joanna Gillan

Emperor Zeno Was Accidentally Buried Alive and His Wife Refused to Save Him

Flavius Zeno was a 5th century Roman Emperor, whose reign was plagued by domestic revolts and religious dissention, and it appears that he was just as unlucky in death as he was in life! According to...
Rome’s African Emperor: Septimius Severus and the Scottish Invasion
18 March, 2021 - 00:57 John S. Richardson

Rome’s African Emperor: Septimius Severus and the Scottish Invasion

The Libyan-born Septimius Severus has gone down in history as the first African Emperor of Rome . With a thirst for power, he ruled the Roman Empire almost 2,000 years ago, declaring himself Emperor...
Classis Ravennas and the Defense of the Roman Empire
29 December, 2020 - 14:01 John S. Richardson

Classis Ravennas and the Defense of the Roman Empire

For almost 500 years, Classe was an important Roman seaport right up until the early Middle Ages. Protected by surrounding marshes, Classe was well placed for patrolling the Adriatic Sea , but the...
Elagabalus: The Hated Roman Emperor Who Was Killed And Mutilated!
28 December, 2020 - 22:04 dhwty

Elagabalus: The Hated Roman Emperor Who Was Killed And Mutilated!

Elagabalus was a Roman emperor who lived at the beginning of the 3rd century AD. He is often considered as one of Rome’s worst emperors and is routinely placed in the same league as other notorious...
Augustus. Source: Ded Pixto / Adobe Stock.
15 November, 2019 - 14:06 T.P. Wiseman

Understanding Augustus: A Historical Detective Story

The first subject of our enquiry must be Caesar Augustus himself. He is often described as the first Roman emperor, but that is a wholly misleading description. What causes the misunderstanding is...
Gladiators after the fight, José Moreno Carbonero (1882) Museo del Prado.
30 January, 2019 - 17:51 MartiniF

The Rise and Fall of Vejovis, Etruscan God of Criminals, Slaves and Fighters

In 1939, an excavation underneath Piazza del Campidoglio discovered an almost completely obscured ancient Roman building. This ancient Roman building is identified as the temple of Vejovis, one of...

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