Exploring the Reign of Septimius Severus
In a realm where longevity was often measured in mere months, the reign of Septimius Severus spanned nearly two decades – a testament not only to his shrewdness but also …
Pliny the Elder: The Scholar of Ancient Rome Who Died a Horrible Death
Pliny the Elder represents the enduring legacy of a man who shaped the understanding of Roman civilization and natural science. Renowned for his ‘Natural History,’ the first encyclopedia, Pliny’s work …
Odoacer, the first barbarian King of Italy
The annals of history bear witness to the rise and fall of countless individuals, but only a few stand as prominently as Odoacer, a Germanic chieftain whose life and achievements …
Vercingetorix (82BC-46 BC): Heroic Galic Chieftain and His Struggle Against Rome
Vercingetorix, a name etched in the annals of ancient history, stands as a symbol of unwavering Gallic resistance against the formidable might of Rome. The story behind this French folk …
The Cataclysmic Eruption of Krakatoa: Unfolding the Mysteries of 1883
Picture this: a deafening boom rips through the sky, and an enormous plume of smoke and ash shoots miles into the atmosphere. That was the cataclysmic eruption of Krakatoa in …
Uncovering the Real Story of Empress Messalina: Comparing Ancient Sources to Reveal the Truth
Uncovering the real story of Valeria Messalina, the infamous Roman empress, presents a fascinating challenge. Was she a power-hungry seductress, a protective mother, or a victim of her time? Delve …
Top 10 Best Gladiator Names and Their Roles
You may have heard quite a few gladiator names throughout the years. In ancient Rome, gladiators were professional fighters who entertained the Roman public by engaging in combat with each …
Ancient Roman Sources
NAME PERIOD BACKGROUND & FAMOUS WORKS LANGUAGE Acts of Pilate early fourth century AD Forged documents circulated round the east of the empire by emperor Maximinus II Daia to discredit …
The Vandals, an infamous Germanic tribe that sacked Rome
by Brian Adam (‘Gaiseric’) It’s not known to many people today that a long time ago, the Vandal warriors, a Germanic tribe, once established a kingdom in North Africa as their …
Lucius Junius Brutus
Life:? – c. 509 BC Founder of the Republicby ‘Andraeus Papadopolus Dacicus Maximus’ According to Roman traditional history, Lucius Junius Brutus was the most important personality of the patrician “revolution” …
Marcus Furius Camillus
Life: c. 446 – 365 BC “alter conditor Romae” by ‘Andraeus Papadopolus Dacicus Maximus’ Overview Marcus Furius Camillus was the most illustrious member of the family of Furia and is …
List of Roman Consuls by Year
Who Was Consul When by ‘Andraeus Papadopolus Dacicus Maximus‘ Note: the Roman numerals behind the names indicate how many times the specific individual has been in office. Note II: consuls …
Emperor Basiliscus
Life: AD ? – 476 Became emperor AD 475. Wife: Aelia Zenonis (three sons; Marcus, Leo, Zeno). Died AD 476. Basiliscus was the brother of Aelia Verina and hence emperor …
Emperor Zeno
Life: AD ? – 491 Early Life Zeno was from Rosoumblada in the province in south-eastern Asia Minor known as Isauria. The emperor Leo called him to Constantinople as the …