Located in the archaeological site of Itálica, in Seville (Spain), the so-called House of the Birds houses one of the most unique mosaics of Roman Hispania. This work of art, dating from the second half of the 2nd century AD, is a reflection of both the artistic virtuosity of the time and the fascination the […]
Ancient Rome
Saalburg, The Largest Roman Fort of the Limes Germanicus
Bad Homburg is a wealthy German city whose economic prosperity owes much to its proximity to Frankfurt, attracting many business executives who have chosen it as their place of residence. These residents are drawn by its princely atmosphere, which originated from the presence of a spa with mineral waters and a casino. However, its tourist […]
The Syriac Sanctuary of the Janiculum: An Enigma of Lost Cults and Deities in Trastevere, Rome
Nestled in the heart of the Trastevere district, at the foot of Villa Sciarra and on the historic Janiculan hill, lies one of Rome’s most enigmatic archaeological discoveries: the Syriac Sanctuary. This 4th-century AD structure, built over remnants of earlier buildings dating back to the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, reveals a microcosm of religious […]
The Legacy of the Roman Empire in Germany: A Surprising Study Reveals How It Influences the Current Well-Being of Regions
A recent study published in Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology has shown that Roman rule, which occurred over two thousand years ago, continues to leave deep marks on regions in southern Germany. The work, led by Martin Obschonka and an international team of researchers, analyzes how Roman occupation shaped the psychological traits and […]
Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus: The Rivalry of Two Roman Centurions as Told by Julius Caesar
We know the names of very few Roman centurions and legionaries, mostly those found on inscriptions and commemorative steles, along with a few mentioned in written sources. However, there are two whose names are so well-known that they even appear as characters in several television series and historical novels about ancient Rome. Their names were […]
Lead contamination caused a generalized decline in the IQ of Europeans during the Roman Empire
Lead contamination has long been recognized as a significant public health hazard, even at low exposure levels. A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) sheds light on the extensive environmental and cognitive impacts of lead pollution during the Roman Empire. Researchers at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) utilized Arctic […]
Stoic Opposition: The Philosophers Who Defied Roman Emperors
Opposing an established government is part of the political game, and democratic systems consider it normal. However, where power is absolute, things become much more difficult, and the problem is that, throughout history, this has been the general trend. That is why it is surprising to discover that in a regime as autocratic as the […]
The First Internal Rebellion of the Eastern Roman Empire Happened Because a Goth Was Not Received with Proper Ceremony in Constantinople
In the early 4th century AD, the newborn Eastern Roman Empire became the stage for a shadowy plot involving numerous figures from various spheres. Two of them, Romanized Ostrogoths, managed to threaten imperial security through a cunning double-sided scheme that provoked a rebellion, using the excuse of an improper official reception at court. They toppled […]
How Emperor Hadrian Created a New Constellation in the Firmament
Those who enjoy the history of the Roman Empire are well acquainted with the story of Antinous, the young man of extraordinary beauty who deeply captivated Emperor Hadrian. Not only did Hadrian love him, but he also shared a very close and personal bond with him. This bond culminated in tragedy in the year 132 […]
Cannae, the Catastrophic Defeat That Left Rome Defenseless Against Hannibal
The last human sacrifices carried out in Rome—beyond considering the ludi gladiatorii as an acceptable adaptation of the concept—took place in 216 BC. It was during a colossal catastrophe that shook Rome to the point of desperately reviving those ancient practices. The same disaster that caused tens of thousands of deaths, the loss of many […]