It was around this date in AD 9 when a Roman force left its summer camp and headed back west to cross the Rhine and to its winter camp. On the way the general in command, Varus, was convinced into making a detour to stabilise the region by an individual called Arminius. The new route […]
Rome and the Teutoburg disaster Read More »
This episode had links with Sicily, so be sure to check out my miniseries on Ancient History (as well as the Foundation of Rome episode). There is also an article on coins from Sicily, the main Phoenician settlement there (Motya) and some evidence of whales in the Mediterranean found on Sicily. On the subject of
Roman Festivals in April – Episode notes. Read More »
I have been creating content about Pompeii (and Herculaneum) for a good while so I thought I would have a page with all the links to articles, videos and podcast episodes. Have a scroll and get reading, listening or watching about Pompeii! Pompeii – articles. I have done a couple of articles on this blog
Pompeii – read, listen and watch Read More »
Cruelty in ancient Rome took many forms, it’s something which has often caused me to question whether I’d really want to step into a tardis and travel back there. One individual, Vedius Pollio, was renowned for a viscious streak, something which was picked up by a few ancient writers including Seneca and Dio Cassius. An
Eels in ancient Rome: Served and serving Read More »
I hope you enjoyed the March episode and hope you find the below content useful! Here’s a link to the episode on Numa I have also done a specific article going about the Salii where you can see an example of the shield shape which I discussed. I also mentioned the Lupercalia and this has
Roman Festivals in March – Episode notes. Read More »
The month of March was a time where a number of interesting rituals and festivals took place. One of these was more a month long procession by the Salii. These were priests whose processions around the city was a more entertaining affair that you might expect. The Salii would pause at various points and perform
Salii, the dancing priests of Ancient Rome Read More »
Each year in Athens women from across all levels of society would climb ladders and make their way onto rooftops for the Adonia. This was a festival mourning the death of Adonis, a mortal beloved by Aphrodite. The grief of the goddess was so heavy that it led to a separate ritual for those suffering
The Adonia: women on rooftops in ancient Athens. Read More »
I hope you enjoyed the episode, in it I mentioned the Lupercalia – here’s a link to that episode. There are also episode notes for this so check it out! If you want to read a bit about the Fornacalia – here’s a recent piece I did on it. Lustratio. This ritual was quite common
Roman festivals in February – Episode notes. Read More »
February in ancient Rome had several festivals, the Lupercalia and Parentalia as two examples. Yet running alongside this was a festival with a name which might raise an eyebrow. The Fornacalia was a festival to celebrate ovens, yes, you read that correctly. It was a feraie conceptivae, this translates something along the lines of ‘a
The Fornacalia, a heated festival in ancient Rome. Read More »
Some of you might know that I had done a smattering of Roman re-enactment back in the day (you may have read my bit on a trip to Winchester Museum where I recreated a pose many years on). I have been keen to get back into re-enactment and the chance came to get back into
Legio II Augusta at Chichester Read More »
