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.

A Roman legion. Source: mehaniq41 / Adobe Stock.

16 July, 2023 - 18:33 Aleksa Vučković

A Brief History of Roman Britain: A Land Transformed

For the Romans, ancient Britain was the final frontier. Situated at the edge of the known world at the time, it was a symbol for the ultimate expansion of the Roman Empire. Conquering it meant...

A gladiator fights a lion at the Gladiator Games in ancient Rome. Source: (DigitalGenetics/Adobe Stock)

22 June, 2023 - 22:52 Robbie Mitchell

The Exotic Menagerie: The Wild Animals Slaughtered in Gladiator Games

The ancient Roman gladiator games were a spectacle of blood and brutality that captivated audiences for centuries. While we may imagine sword-wielding gladiators fighting to the death in the arena,...

Largo di Torre Argentina square in Rome, Italy. Source: Pino Pacifico/Adobe Stock

20 June, 2023 - 23:00 Sahir

“Et tu, Brute?” Rome to Reopen Square of Julius Caesar’s Assassination to Public

From this week, history enthusiasts, tourists, and other interested parties will be able to walk through the square where the famed Roman emperor, Julius Caesar, met his end through stabbing. Rome...

The Roman mausoleum found in London. It features a mosaic surrounded by a raised platform, which archaeologists believe was for burials Source: MOLA

14 June, 2023 - 18:38 Sahir

“Completely Unique” 2,000-Year-Old Roman Mausoleum Unearthed Near London Bridge

Archaeologists have made an extraordinary discovery at the Liberty of Southwark development site in London—a “completely unique” Roman mausoleum of unparalleled preservation, now considered the most...

Ancient city of Dougga. Unesco World Heritage Site in Tunisia. Source: Konstantin Aksenov/Adobe Stock

25 May, 2023 - 22:58 Robbie Mitchell

Uncovering the Wonders of Dougga: A City that Embodies the Spirit of the Roman Empire in Africa

The ancient city of Dougga, found in present-day Tunisia, stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Roman Empire in Africa. With its numerous temples, theaters, and triumphal arches...

Two Roman statue heads found at Carlisle Cricket Club Roman site. Source: Geraldine Moore/Cumberland Council

25 May, 2023 - 19:02 Sahir

Carlisle Cricket Club Bathhouse Site Reveals Colossal Roman Sculptures of Imperial Class

The site of a Roman bathhouse or mansion, the ruins at Carlisle Cricket Club have revealed more in the latest round of excavations – two exquisitely preserved head sculptures depicting Roman gods,...

25 June, 2018 - 22:18 dhwty

The Amphitheatre of El Djem: Gladiatorial Arena of Tunisia

The amphitheatre is one of the most iconic architectural contributions of ancient Rome. The most famous example of such a structure is the Colosseum in Rome, where brutal gladiatorial battles took...

Arles Amphitheatre. Photo source: emperorcosar / Adobe Stock.

17 September, 2019 - 22:57 dhwty

Arles Amphitheatre – A Roman Treasure in the Soul of Provence

Arles Amphitheatre (known in French as Les Arènes d'Arles) is a Roman amphitheatre located in the southern French city of Arles. The city is situated in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of the...

The best-ever Roman amphitheater, a Roman Colosseum replica that could seat 15 - 20,000 has recently been discovered in a field in Western Turkey, complete with underground gladiator and administrator rooms.

25 March, 2021 - 01:04 Nathan Falde

Astonished Archaeologists Find Roman Colosseum Replica in Anatolia

While exploring the site of the ancient city of Mastaura in western Turkey last summer, archaeologists discovered something remarkable. Partially buried in the earth and further obscured beneath...

Chariot race in Rome's Circus Maximus, as if seen from the starting gate. The Palatine Hill and Imperial palace are to the left, by Jean Léon Gérôme (1876) (Public Domain)

30 December, 2022 - 22:46 Caroline Freema...

The Life Of A Celebrity Roman Chariot Horse

“The horses burst through the sky and with swift-hooved feet cut a dash through the clouds, which blocked their way as borne on wings they passed the east wind .” (Ovid, Metamorphoses II.157–60) The...

Sunset view of the Roman Amphitheater in Chester, England Source: Adrian / Adobe Stock

15 July, 2020 - 01:44 Ed Whelan

The Large Amphitheater of Chester and Rome’s Fruitless Expansion Plan

The arenas built by the Romans are without a doubt their most notorious monuments. They were the scene of public executions, where combats between criminals, prisoners of war and slaves were held,...

Ruins of Pompeii, the Amphitheater Source: Leonid Andronov / Adobe Stock

21 October, 2020 - 00:49 Ed Whelan

World’s Oldest Surviving Amphitheater Preserved at Pompeii

Amphitheaters, with their gladiators, executions, and macabre contests, have fascinated people for millennia. They have featured in countless novels, books, and video games. One of the best-preserved...

Drone shot of the last Roman amphitheater ever unearthed in Kaiseraugst, Switzerland. Source: Canton of Aargau

27 January, 2022 - 18:00 Sahir

The Last Roman Amphitheater Ever Built Found Near Basel Switzerland!

An archaeological team accompanying construction workers building a new boathouse for the Basel Rowing Club in Kaiseraugst, Switzerland in December last year unexpectedly stumbled upon the remains of...

The Cartagena amphitheater. Source: eddy007 /Adobe Stock

16 January, 2020 - 22:53 ashley cowie

Cartagena Amphitheater Dig Unearths Gladiator Chamber

Archaeologists digging at the Roman Cartagena amphitheater have discovered artifacts and a pre-gladiatorial holding chamber, shedding more light on that side of the city’s history. The archaeological...

15 February, 2016 - 03:42 dhwty

Pula Arena: Exceptional Roman Amphitheater in Croatia Still Alive and Kicking

The Pula Arena is a Roman amphitheater located in Pula, on the southern tip of the Istria peninsula, north-western Croatia. It has been estimated that there are around 230 Roman amphitheaters that...

Aerial view of the Pergamon Acropolis and huge Pergamon Amphitheater, Izmir Province, Turkey. Source: Tarik GOK / Adobe Stock

27 September, 2021 - 22:54 Sahir

Excavations Reveal Pergamon Amphitheater Had Reserved ‘Box Seats’

Which sports and entertainment fan today hasn’t yearned for box seats or VIP seating for their favorite concert? Despite the needle of time ticking away through these centuries, some things don’t...

29 October, 2021 - 22:52 Sahir

Holding Cell Where Roman Gladiators Awaited Death Found in Britain

A Roman “carcer” is a holding cell for criminals and Roman gladiators awaiting their moment in the amphitheater, where bloodthirsty crowds eagerly anticipated the spectacle of their deaths. One such...

27 January, 2015 - 22:31 Mark Miller

Red-painted numbers helped Romans find their seats in the Colosseum

Archaeologists have discovered that the carved seat numbers in the Roman Colosseum had been painted red to make the seats easier to see, assuring orderly, trouble-free seating of the crowd--who then...

17 December, 2019 - 02:01 Ed Whelan

Amman, One of the Finest Roman Theatres in the World

The Kingdom of Jordan has many historical sites. Many different civilizations have flourished in the area since ancient times. One of the most important and largest heritage sites is the Roman...

The Roman amphitheater of Cagliari Source: murasal / Adobe Stock

16 May, 2020 - 01:50 Ed Whelan

When in Sardinia, Do as the Romans Do: The Cagliari Amphitheater

Sardinia is a beautiful Italian island renowned for its stunning views. It is also a historic island with over 7000 prehistoric archaeological sites that date from before 1000 BC and many amazing...

Ancient gladiator and image representative of the Flavian amphitheater Source: Luis Louro/ Adobe Stock

14 May, 2020 - 01:50 Ed Whelan

The Flavian Amphitheater that Bought Emperor Vespasian’s Popularity

Amphitheaters were a large part of the Roman culture and they were built in many of their cities across their empire, such as El Jem in Tunisia, Nimes Arena in France, and Leptis Magnus in Libya...

7 July, 2014 - 03:21 aprilholloway

Colosseum of Rome, a Condominium in Medieval Times

The Colosseum of Rome is infamously known as the site of brutal gladiator battles in which slaves, Christians, and gladiator fighters were mercilessly slaughtered for the enjoyment of the emperor and...

Baths of Caracalla Source: Fabio Caricchia / Soprintendenza Speciale di Roma

1 July, 2022 - 22:59 Sahir

2,000-Year-Old Frescoes Discovered Under the Baths of Caracalla

2,000-year-old frescoes dating back to the time of Emperor Hadrian will be on public display at the site of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. The frescoes, which belong to different time periods and...

27 April, 2021 - 02:04 John S. Richardson

Aquincum: Exploring the Ancient Roman City Under Modern-day Budapest

The ancient Roman city of Aquincum, now located under Budapest in Hungary, was once the capital of Pannonia on the northeastern border of the Roman Empire. From its strategic location on the banks of...