Battle of Ecnomus (256 BC) – Largest Naval Battle in History
During the First Punic War, Rome and Carthage clashed in a massive naval battle near Ecnomus. With hundreds of warships and almost 300,000 men involved, this fight stands out as …
Were the Barbarians Taller than the Romans?
When the Romans encountered the people of Northern Europe, they were often surprised by their physical appearance. Stories from ancient times describe Gauls, Germans, and Britons as particularly tall and …
Roman Afterlives
In a dramatic episode of Roman history, the young consul Cicero faced a grave challenge with the flawed Catalinarian conspiracy. As the Senate debated how to punish those who plotted …
Here’s What It Was Like For Prisoners In Ancient Rome
Throughout history, Rome had a complex and evolving relationship with punishment and imprisonment. In the early days, prisons as we understand them today didn’t exist. People who broke the law …
The Real Reason Pants Were Objectionable In The Roman Empire
In ancient Rome, wearing trousers was not only unfashionable but forbidden by law. This cultural stance made significant statements about social norms and perceptions at the time. Roman attire mainly …
Taxes and Tariffs in Ancient Rome
The Roman Empire, known for its vast reach and impressive organization, had a tax system that left much to be desired by modern standards. While citizens in Rome itself enjoyed …
Plutarch: Life, Legacy, and the Lasting Power of His Parallel Lives
Plutarch is even today one of the most influential voices from antiquity, whose work has passed the test of time for nearly two millennia. Best known for Parallel Lives and …
Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic – End of the Triumvirate
Meeting in Lucca While Caesar was in Gaul, the situation in Rome was not calming down at all. Pompey was given the task of supplying the city with grain, and …
Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic – The Civil War
The Civil War – Caesar in Italy The civil war had begun, and Pompey was in Rome. The consuls authorized Pompey to take command of the two legions stationed in …
Could Potatoes have Saved the Roman Empire?
Imagine a world where the potato, a nutritious and adaptable crop, reached the Roman Empire centuries earlier. This thought experiment opens a fascinating discussion. Potatoes originated in South America and …
What Did the Romans Think the Future Would Be Like?
Imagining the future has always played a big role in how people think about our world. Ancient thinkers like the philosopher Seneca had their own ideas about what might happen. …
The Life Expectancy of a Roman Emperor
In the world of Roman emperors, life was full of both monumental power and grave dangers. Augustus, the first emperor, spent his last days quietly before passing away as he …
Finding Love in Ancient Rome
People in Ancient Rome often find themselves swept up in the whirlwind of romance. This occasion, filled with chocolates and flowers, has roots in ancient traditions tied to the idea …
How “Good” Were Rome’s Five Good Emperors?
Between 98 and 180 A.D., the Roman Empire reached its pinnacle under the leadership of five renowned emperors: Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. These leaders, often called …