Roman Empire Anecdotes
Alexander the Great in Roman Thought: Hero, Rival, and Legend
How did the Romans see Alexander the Great? Were they influenced? What did they think about his personality? His military accomplishments? His life?
Roman Empire Historical Facts
Ascending to the Divine: The Practice and Meaning of Apotheosis in Ancient Rome
How was apotheosis used as a religious practice, but also as a political tool in ancient Rome? How was it used to solidify dynastic legitimacy and reinforce imperial ideology?
Roman Empire Historical Facts
Marking the Hours: The Roman Way of Measuring Time
The Romans employed various methods to measure time, integrating natural observations with technological innovations.
Roman Empire Anecdotes
The Daily Bread of Rome: The Apple of Discord Between Romans and the Bakers
Bread was an essential part of the Roman diet, especially for the lower classes. It wasn’t just a staple but also reflected social status and culture, varying in type and quality depending on the person’s wealth and occupation.
Roman Empire Anecdotes
Sallust: Details on the Historian of Roman Elite and the Republic’s Decline
Sallust, one of Rome’s earliest and most profound historians, offers an intense and critical perspective on the decline of the Roman Republic.
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
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 Anecdotes
Villa Jovis: The Secret Lair for the Dark Pleasures of an Old Emperor
A luxurious villa in Capri is said to be the place where an emperor spent the last ten years of his reign, involved in sexual activities that would satisfy his disturbed imagination
Roman Empire Historical Facts
Caesarion: Was the Last Pharaoh, the Son of Julius Caesar?
Caesarion was born in 47 BCE, and his mother Cleopatra claimed that he was Julius Caesar's son.
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
Cicero: Orator, Statesman, and Unintended Historian of the Roman Republic
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BCE) was widely regarded as one of Rome's greatest public speakers and prose stylists. His contributions span politics, law, philosophy, and literature, making him a key figure in Roman intellectual history.
Roman Empire Anecdotes
Pompey the Great: The Partner and Rival of Julius Caesar
Pompey the Great, or Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, was one of the most prominent Roman military and political leaders during the late Roman Republic.
Roman Empire Anecdotes
Bacchanalia: Rome’s Forbidden Festival
The Bacchanalia, also known as Bacchanal or Carnival, were Roman festivals honoring Bacchus, inspired by elements of the Greek Dionysia.
Roman Empire Historical Facts
How Romans Viewed the Greeks: From Conquest to Cultural Fusion
The relationship between Romans and Greeks was complex, shaped by admiration, imitation, and a degree of tension.
Roman Empire Anecdotes
Was Divide and Conquer a Julius Caesar Invention, or Not?
Julius Caesar knew how to eliminate enemies and how to "read" military intelligence, two of his most important traits.