Roman Empire Historical Facts
The Gemonian Stairs: Rome's Spot of Mourning and Execution
The Gemonian Stairs became synonymous to death and humiliation for the Roman Empire's enemies and criminals.
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
Agrippina the Younger: The First Empress of Rome, in a Male Dominant Society
Agrippina the Younger, born in 15 AD, was a prominent and controversial figure in Roman history.
Roman Empire Anecdotes
The Insulae: The Apartment Buildings of Ancient Romans
The insulae of the Roman Empire are a fascinating reflection of Roman architectural innovation and urban planning.
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 Historical Facts
Titus Livy: The Story of the Roman Celebrity Historian
Titus Livius, commonly known as Livy, was a Roman historian famous for his work Ab Urbe Condita ("From the Founding of the City"), a monumental history of Rome that spanned from its legendary founding in 753 BC to Livy's contemporary period in AD 9.
Roman Empire Anecdotes
Testudo: The Military Formation that Lasted from Ancient Rome to Today
The testudo was a type of shield wall formation, commonly used by the Roman legions during battles.
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
The most Famous Roman Emperor Failed Assassination Attempts
The history of the Roman Empire is replete with assassination attempts, some of which failed and left intriguing tales of survival and intrigue.
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
Arminius: From friend of Rome, to German Leader at the Teutoburg Forest Battle
Over the centuries, Arminius and the battle of the Teutoburg Forest have left their footprint in history.
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.
Roman Empire Historical Facts
Ammian, or Ammianus Marcellinus: From a Roman Soldier to one of the Best Historians of all time
Ammianus Marcellinus wrote what is known as Res gestae, the ultimate historical account about the Roman Empire, that has survived to our days.
Roman Empire Historical Facts
Pliny the Younger: The 247 letters that helped shape our view of the Roman Empire
Pliny the Younger helped us shape our view of the Roman Empire, and all aspect of its life.
Roman Empire Historical Facts
Rome’s most Famous Women: The Empire’s Feminine Side
Women of ancient Rome that managed to distinguish themselves from the rest. Women of power and fame.