Domitian

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Dining with Domitian and the Enigma of Domitian’s Black Dinner

What was like dining with the emperor? What is the famous black dinner of Domitian? What was the meaning behind the black decoration and the macabre settings?

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Emperor Domitian: Tyrant or Reformer?

Emperor Domitian, who ruled Rome from 81 to 96 CE, is one of the most polarizing figures of the Roman Empire. Dismissed by many ancient writers as a tyrant and remembered for his strained relationship with the Senate, Domitian’s legacy is one of complexity and contradiction.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

From Soldier to Sovereign: The Rise and Reign of Vespasian

The final ruler during the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors, Vespasian established the Flavian dynasty, which governed the Roman Empire for 27 years.

Roman Empire Anecdotes

The Roman Poet of Sharp Words: Martial and his Rome

Martial was a Roman poet, the man behind the epigrams, who is remembered for his razor-sharp commentary

Roman Empire Historical Facts

The Spiraling Legacy of Trajan's Column: Art, Propaganda, and Power

Trajan's Column is an iconic piece of Roman art and architecture, rich with historical, artistic, and cultural significance.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

We Researched the Roman Empire‘s Presence in the Orient: Here is What we Found

The Roman Empire left a notable architectural and cultural footprint in the East, where Roman monuments, cities, and even temples still stand as remnants of its reach.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Guarding the Word: Speech, Censorship, and Power in Ancient Rome

How were the Republic and the Empire treating freedom of speech? How did the emperors censor perceived threats?

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Herodes Atticus: A Bridge Between Greek Heritage and Roman Power

Herodes Atticus is a fascinating figure, especially in the context of his relationship with the Roman Empire. A Greek aristocrat from Marathon, Herodes was born into immense wealth and became one of the most prominent benefactors in the Roman Empire during the second century AD.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

How did Romans Flood the Colosseum for Naval Battles in the Arena?

Were naumachiae actually held in the Colosseum? How did the Romans flood the arena to stage a naval battle?

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Was Commodus Truly the Megalomaniac Gladiator Emperor?

Commodus was largely seen as capricious, self-indulgent, and more interested in personal pleasures than in governing the empire.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Suetonius: The Faceless Scholar of Imperial Rome

Suetonius' influence extends beyond his own time. His biographical style set a precedent for later historians and biographers.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Fury on Wheels: The Legendary Chariot Races of Ancient Rome

Chariot racing was one of the most popular and enduring spectacles in ancient Rome, captivating audiences for centuries.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

From Greek Glory to Roman Spectacle: The Olympic Games Evolution

The Olympic Games continued to be held after the Roman conquest of Greece, and Roman emperors and citizens took part in these events.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Gladiatrix: Scent of a Woman, in the Arena

Female gladiators, known as "gladiatrices," were a relatively rare phenomenon in ancient Rome compared to their male counterparts, but they did exist and played a significant role in the spectacle of gladiatorial combat.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

Tacitus: The Chronicler of Rome’s Moral Decline

Publius Cornelius Tacitus, commonly known as Tacitus, was a Roman historian and politician. He is widely considered one of the greatest Roman historians by modern scholars.

Roman Empire Historical Facts

“Ave Imperator, morituri te salutant”. What did Gladiators actually say before fighting?

The phrase Hail Emperor, those who are about to die, salute you, was not actually used by the gladiators.