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.

This is the ceiling of the Pantheon in Rome, Italy Photograph by Anne Dirkse

18 September, 2017 - 01:59 dhwty

The Roman Pantheon: National Treasure and Legacy of a Powerful Empire

Anyone who has paid a visit to Rome will know that around just about every corner of the historic center lies a reminder of Rome’s glorious and inglorious history. Be it buildings, fountains, statues...

The ruins of the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, Italy

13 September, 2020 - 22:49 Ed Whelan

When in Rome, Even the Christian Pilgrims Enjoyed the Baths of Caracalla

When we think of the city of Rome, we can easily picture the wealth of ancient monuments from its imperial past. The Baths of Caracalla are perhaps as popular today as they were when they were used...

Artist’s reconstruction of Lutetia by Dassault Systemes (YouTube screenshot)

5 July, 2020 - 23:02 dhwty

Ancient Lutetia: The Roman Roots of Paris

Over two millennia ago, France’s capital, Paris, was inhabited by Celtic Gauls who called their city Parisii. But then the Romans came and set up camp. They renamed their city Lutetia, meaning ‘place...

The Building of the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus by Hendrik van Cleve III

29 August, 2018 - 02:50 Bryan Hill

The Grand and Sacred Temple of Artemis, A Wonder of the Ancient World

The Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Three to four times as large as the Parthenon in Athens, it was once described as the largest temple and building of antiquity...

The construction and location of the Roman pool has the experts stumped. Source: AnchorSoprintendenza Speciale di Roma

10 September, 2020 - 18:45 Ed Whelan

What in the Roman Republic is this Giant Pool Found Outside Rome?

A major but enigmatic discovery has been made near Rome. A huge pool, that is at least 2,300 years old has been uncovered by archaeologists. However, the role and purpose of this pool is not known...

30 December, 2020 - 23:22 dhwty

Glanum, An Ancient Roman Town in France Renowned for Its Healing Spring

We are fortunate to have access to many ancient Roman cities throughout the vast regions they once ruled. Their ruins tell us a great deal about their gods, their hobbies, their lifestyle, and their...

Excavations at the first known Christian church at Antakya, Turkey. Source: Anadolu Agency

25 October, 2022 - 14:58 ashley cowie

Digging Into The Hidden Chambers of Oldest Christian Church In The World

Archaeologists in Turkey have excavated the “world’s first church.” Within late Roman-era chambers they discovered smashed clay offering vessels which once held holy water. The team of Turkish...

An artist’s recreation of the Gallo-Roman religious complex recently discovered at Rennes, France. Source: © Marie Millet / Inrap

14 June, 2022 - 18:44 Sahir

Gallo-Roman Worship Complex Dedicated to Jupiter and Mars Discovered

Last week, French archaeologists found the long-lost remains of a 2,100-year-old Gallo-Roman worship complex in Rennes, Brittany (northwestern France) on a hilltop with sweeping views of the Flume...

Reconstruction of Roman amphitheatre, Viminacium Source: smoke666/ Adobe Stock

3 October, 2019 - 01:22 Ed Whelan

Viminacium: Where Mammoths Roamed and Romans Ruled

The Balkans was once an important strategic part of the Roman Empire and as a result, archaeologists have found a vast array of historic Roman ruins in the region. One of the most extensive...

Reconstruction of the “Mithraeum of Colored Marbles.” The ‘spelaeum’, the most important room in the Mithraeum, is shown on the bottom level. Source: G Albertini / Live Science

16 December, 2019 - 15:59 ashley cowie

Dazzling Temple to Cult God Mithras Uncovered in Italy

A 1600-year-old temple in which the ancient god Mithras was worshipped has been discovered beneath Roman ruins in Ostia, Italy. A magnificent ancient building, which is being described as the ‘...

Underground chamber at Nero’s Palace dubbed ‘Sphinx Room’

10 May, 2019 - 16:57 Ed Whelan

Enchanting Hidden 'Sphinx' Chamber Discovered At Nero’s Golden Palace

Rome continues to be a rich source of archaeological discoveries. Archaeologists have just announced the discovery of a spectacular underground chamber that was once part of the Domus Aurea palace...

Statue of a ram that was discovered next to the vaults at the front of the temple platform in Caesarea. The town was founded by Herod the Great, king of Judea under the Roman Empire

11 June, 2018 - 21:41 Mark Miller

What New Archaeological Treasures Have Been Unearthed in the Ancient City of Caesarea?

This week, Caesarea National Park came a step closer to its goal of rivaling Jerusalem as the top tourist destination in Israel. After a $27.5 million investment plan from the Edmond de Rothschild...

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...