rome

23 July, 2019 - 20:19 dhwty

An Elite Class That Ruled Over the 99%. Sound Familiar? It All Began with the Patricians of Rome

In ancient Rome, the patricians (from the Latin word patres , meaning ‘fathers’) were one of the main classes of Roman society. They were the ruling class, and enjoyed great prestige as well as...

Bird are the messengers of omens. Source: Yuriy Mazur / Adobe Stock

24 June, 2019 - 13:59 ancient-origins

Birds in the Ancient World: Messengers of Omens and Auguries

Translators regularly face the problem that the words and expressions of one language do not always translate exactly into those of another. In fact, a literal translation can sometimes seem...

13 June, 2019 - 18:04 dhwty

Vestal Virgins: Powerful Priestesses of Rome’s Sacred Flame

In the Res Gestae Divi Augustus (‘The Deeds of the Divine Augustus’), Augustus demonstrates his piety by stating that he was a member of all four major priesthoods in Rome – the Pontifices, Augures,...

: Sacking of Rome by the Vandals dramatically changed the diet of Portus inhabitants

12 June, 2019 - 10:58 ashley cowie

Portus Study Reveals Vandal's Invasion Destroyed Roman's Luxury Diets, And Class System

The diets and geographic origins of people living in Portus, the main maritime port of Imperial Rome, have been determined through analysis of human, plant and animal remains, revealing that after...

Grape DNA sources around Europe had been connected with ancient Roman seeds. Source: Grecaud Paul / Adobe Stock

12 June, 2019 - 02:02 Ed Whelan

French Wine With a Hint of Rome Revealed By Ancient Grape DNA

Seeds of grapes used in the production of wine, found in archaeological sites across Europe, have been genetically tested and tell a story of continuity from ancient Rome until this very day. It...

Cincinnatus Receiving Deputies of the Senate.

11 June, 2019 - 19:47 dhwty

The Roman Dictator Cincinnatus: Model of an Honest Politician?

Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus is a figure from the Early Republican period of Rome’s history. Cincinnatus (a nickname given to him due to his curly hair) was an aristocrat who belonged to the...

There was a ‘mini landslide’ at the Tarpeian Rock last year. Source: CC BY-SA 4.0

7 June, 2019 - 14:06 Ed Whelan

Gucci to Fund Project to Save Rome’s Historic Rock of Execution

Gucci is one of the most famous fashion brands in the world. The Italian company has announced that they are funding a restoration project in the heart of Rome. They are paying for work that will...

18 April, 2019 - 19:18 dhwty

The Real Story of Medusa: Protective Powers from a Snake-Haired Gorgon

In ancient Greek mythology, Medusa is the most famous of three monstrous sisters known as the Gorgons. The earliest known record about the story of Medusa and the Gorgons can be found in Hesiod’s...

29 March, 2019 - 00:41 mrreese

The Madness of Caligula: Rome’s Cruelest Emperor?

Caligula was Rome’s most tyrannical emperor. His reign from 37-41 AD is filled with murder and debauchery, to levels even his infamous nephew Nero could not reach. The great-great grandson of Julius...

Painted ceiling in Waltham Abbey parish church, depicting Janus facing both past and future.

27 February, 2019 - 13:58 dhwty

How Janus Became the Doorkeeper of Heaven and God of the Gods

Janus is a deity found in the religion and myth of ancient Rome. The Romans believed that Janus was the god of doors, beginnings and endings, and transitions. In accordance to the role he played,...

Ruins of Roman Forum in Rome, Italy during sunrise. (twindesigner /Adobe Stock) Insert: Denarius featuring the laureate, long-haired, and bearded head of Quirinus (Romulus).

15 February, 2019 - 23:00 Ed Whelan

Experts May Have Identified the Long Lost Tomb of Romulus, Founder of Rome

Myths were very important in the ancient world. The Roman myth of Romulus and Remus is one such example and many believe that it is based on real-life events. Now experts claim that they may have...

28 January, 2019 - 13:57 dhwty

The Five Good Emperors: Prosperity and Power Before the Final Fall

The Five Good Emperors is a term referring to a group of Roman emperors who reigned between the 1 st and 2 nd centuries AD. This period is often regarded to be the high point of the Roman Empire, as...

26 January, 2019 - 18:45 dhwty

Ruthless Rulers Did Dark Deeds Right From the Founding of Rome

According to history, the city of Rome was founded by Romulus in 753 BC. From then till the end of the 6 th century BC, Rome was ruled by kings after which it was transformed into a republic. In 27...

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...

Alexander the Great and physician Philip of Acarnania.

25 January, 2019 - 13:50 ancient-origins

Alexander the Great Didn’t Decay Because He Wasn’t Dead Says Clinician

By Dr. Katherine Hall / Science Daily It may have happened more than 2,300 years ago, but the mystery of Alexander the Great's death could finally be solved, thanks to a University of Otago, New...

Tapestry of Vespasian and his two sons Titus and Domitian.

25 January, 2019 - 01:55 dhwty

A Turbulent Tide Turns In Favor of the Flavian Dynasty

The Flavian Dynasty was a Roman imperial dynasty that lasted from 69 AD to 96 AD. There were three Flavian emperors, Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian. The Flavians came to power at the end...