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An ancient Roman gladiator. Source: Luis Louro /Adobe Stock

The Reality of Gladiator Life and Their Training (Video)

In the world of gladiators , once perceived as either heroic warriors or despised villains, their existence is marked by brutality and ritualized training rather than the romanticized notions of...
Vespasian, Founder of the Flavian dynasty built the Colosseum in Rome (  rpbmedia/ Adobe Stock)

Legacy Of Vespasian Founder Of The Roman Flavian Dynasty

The death of Emperor Nero in 68 AD ended the Julio-Claudian dynasty of Roman Emperors. It also initiated a succession crisis which degenerated into a short but deadly civil war. This was the first...
Mosaics uncovered in a recently discovered domus, or luxury home, near the Colosseum.        Source: Italian Ministry of Culture

Impressive Domus From the Roman Republic Uncovered Near the Colosseum

A Roman ‘domus’ with several floors, constructed in multiple phases during Rome's Republican age, has been uncovered in the vicinity of Rome's Palatine Hill and the Forum. This finely decorated Roman...
Aerial view on the Roman Colosseum in Italy. Source: dimabucci/Adobe Stock

This is What the Roman Colosseum Looked Like Back Then (Video)

The Colosseum , an emblem of ancient Rome, silently narrates the grandeur and brutality of a bygone era. Crafted under Emperor Vespasian's astute vision, it replaced Nero's opulent Domus Aurea,...
Roman colosseum. Source: phant / Adobe Stock.

Roman Emperor Vespasian Built the Colosseum to Boost Morale (Video)

Roman Emperor Vespasian's decision to construct the Colosseum in ancient Rome was a strategic move aimed at fostering unity and lifting the spirits of the populace. Drawing on his experience as a...
Women Gladiators: Sensational Spectator Sport For Roman Audiences

Women Gladiators: Sensational Spectator Sport For Roman Audiences

It may all have started when female sword fighters performed at funerals in the very early days of Rome. There may also be some connection between women participating in chariot racing and women...
A gladiator fights a lion at the Gladiator Games in ancient Rome. Source: (DigitalGenetics/Adobe Stock)

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,...
Gladiatoren im Kolosseum by Eugène Delacroix (Public Domain)

Big Cats For The Fat Cats Of Ancient Rome

Emperor Caracalla kept a favorite lion, Acinaces, as a pet, but not all Romans’ obsession for big feline predators boded well for the animals. “It is believed that a dying lion bites the earth and...
The ancient site of Masada, Israel. Source: Jonatan / Adobe Stock.

From Pyramids to Temples: Discovering the 15 Most Ancient Buildings on Earth (Video)

The world is full of ancient structures and buildings that have managed to withstand the test of time. From Gobekli Tepe, the oldest place of worship in the world, to the ancient Fortress of Masada...
Persecuted Christian. Source: PhotoGranary / Adobe Stock.

When Faith and Power Clash: How Christianity Divided the Roman Empire (Video)

In 107 AD, the Roman Empire was at its peak under Emperor Trajan's leadership, spanning 2 million square miles and 50 million subjects. However, the rise of Christianity, which promised to undermine...
A gladiator bestiaries fighting wild animals in the colosseum. Source: DigitalGenetics / Adobe Stock.

Deadly Showdown in the Colosseum: One Gladiator vs. 20 Wild Animals (Video)

In 83 AD, Emperor Domitian hosted a series of games in the Colosseum promising the most extravagant man vs beast showdown Rome had ever seen. This hunt was not just for entertainment but a way to...
Roman emperor in Rome. Source: Giordano Aita / Adobe Stock.

Walking in the Footsteps of Ancient Romans: A Tour of Rome's Streets and Buildings (Video)

The ancient city of Rome was a marvel of architecture and engineering , with impressive buildings that still inspire awe today. The Colosseum , with its massive amphitheater that could hold up to 80,...
Gladiatrix. Source: Julien / Adobe Stock.

The Gladiatrix: Unleashing the Power of Women in Ancient Rome's Bloodiest Arena (Video)

The Colosseum in ancient Rome was a symbol of strength, courage, and honor. For nearly three decades, gladiatorial combat had been the ultimate expression of Roman values, where men battled each...
A gladiator stands before an arena filled with spectators. Source: Justinas / Adobe Stock.

What Being a Spectator at the Rome Colosseum Was Like (Video)

From the thunderous roar of the crowd to the heart-stopping battles between gladiators and exotic beasts, this YouTube video takes you on a journey back in time to experience the jaw-dropping...
A representation of naumachia. 1894 painting by Ulpiano Checa. Source: Public Domain

The Spectacle of Naumachia: Rome's Brutal Naval Gladiator Battles

For centuries naval gladiator battles, known as naumachia , enthralled crowds with their realistic recreations of famous sea battles, complete with all the chaos, bravery, and brutality of the...
Colosseum underground. Source:  Lukasz Janyst / Adobe Stock.

Beneath the Arena: A Journey Through the Colosseum’s Subterranean World (Video)

In 83 AD, Emperor Domitian ordered a major renovation of the Colosseum in Rome to create a hypogeum , a vast labyrinth beneath the arena floor. With the help of skilled master builder Haterius and...
Gladiator entering the Roman colosseum. Source: Noel Cook / Adobe Stock.

The Gladiator Emperor: Commodus and the Bloodlust of Ancient Rome (Video)

Commodus , one of ancient Rome's most infamous emperors , was known for his bloodlust and ruthless behavior. Despite being born into a life of luxury and privilege, he became obsessed with...
Being able to travel back in time to view ancient Greece in the flesh is the dream of many a historian. Thanks to modern technology and digital recreations we’re closer than ever before.

15 Incredible Facts About Ancient Rome (Video)

The ancient civilization of Rome has had an enduring impact on human history, shaping modern Western society in countless ways. From its legendary founding by Romulus and Remus to its eventual...
Machu Picchu, Peru. Source: Chris / Adobe Stock

Archaeology Recreations: What These 10 Ancient Sites Really Looked Like (Video)

The most famous archaeological sites of the world have been inspiring tourists and researchers for centuries. But have you ever wondered how they looked in their prime? Archaeology and technology...
Bloody gladiator sports at the Colosseum ( Gasi/ Adobe Stock)

Are You Not Entertained? A Take On Professional Sports, Philosophy and Wargames In Ancient Rome

The poet Juvenal berated the Roman people for allowing themselves to be seduced by slimy politicians who bought their votes with free wheat and expensive circus games: “Already long ago, from when we...
Remains of healthy snacks have been found at the Colosseum, Rome. Source: Amith/Adobe Stock

Romans Snacked on Nuts and Melons While Enjoying Colosseum Bloodbath

Over the last year archaeologists excavating the Colosseum in Rome have unearthed animal bones and coins. Now, they’ve discovered “snacks” that were consumed by the bloodthirsty spectators. Dating...
Aerial view of the Pergamon Acropolis and huge Pergamon Amphitheater, Izmir Province, Turkey.      Source: Tarik GOK / Adobe Stock

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...
Colosseum underground. Source: David Carillet / Adobe Stock

Rome Offers Visitors An Underground Gladiatorial Experience

Rome's famous 2,000-year-old Colosseum has a vast underground world called the “hypogeum” and it’s now open to the public for the first time. The Colosseum, or Flavian Amphitheater, was a gigantic...
Roman executions at the Colosseum were a gruesome affair, as depicted in The Christian Marturs' Last Prayer by Jean-Léon Gérôme. Source: Public domain

Roman Executions in the Colosseum: The Stories of Laureolus and Androcles

Public order in ancient Rome was a priority for the elite, who contrived a range of gruesome punishments for purportedly serious crimes deserving the death penalty. As a result, a day of fun and...

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