Augustus: How Rome’s First Emperor Shaped the Empire’s Future
In the annals of Roman history, few figures stand out as prominently as Octavian, later known as Augustus. His ascension to power marked the end of the Roman Republic and …
How the Roman Government Worked
The Roman Empire, unlike the largest empires of history, stood out for its remarkable success and longevity. Although it wasn’t the biggest, its power and influence have left a lasting …
The Alliance between Marcus Antoninus and Cleopatra VII
by Andrew Mason What was the basis for the alliance behind those two great personalities of antiquity, Marcus Antoninus (Antony) and Cleopatra VII? What drew them together and what were …
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 …
Gaius Julius Caesar
Life: 100 – 44 BC Caesar was tall, fair-haired, well built and of sound health. though he did suffer from the occasional epileptic fit. The historian Suetonius writes about Julius …
Marcus Licinius Crassus
Life: 115 – 53 BC Crassus grew up as the son of a consul and distinguished general. His career to fame and phenomenal wealth began as he started purchasing the …
Gaius Marius, the 1st one to shake the Roman Republic
Life: 157 – 86 BC Gaius Marius was of humble beginnings, having been born near the town of Arpinum in Latium. First serving in Spain, Marius was essentially a military …
Gaius Gracchus
Life: 159-121 BC Early Life After the violent death of Tiberius Gracchus, the Gracchus family wasn’t finished yet. Gaius Gracchus, a flamboyant and powerful public speaker, was to be a far …
Tiberius Gracchus
Life: 168-133 BC Early Life Tiberius and his brother Gaius Gracchus were to be two men who should become famous, if not infamous, for their struggle for the lower classes …
The Late Roman Republic
Period: 123 – 23 BC The story of the late Roman republic is essentially a tragic one. Yet the various causes for the demise of the republic are far from …
Cato the Elder
Life: 234-149 BC Also known as “Cato the Censor“ The progress from quaestor to consul via offices of aedile and praetor was a natural one and came more quickly to …
The Battle of Cynoscephalae
Had Roman involvement in Illyria and the Macedonian alliance with Carthage in the Second Punic War (right after Cannae!) not made Rome and Macedon the best of friends, then peace …