Ancient Rome was located on the banks of the Tiber River, and it needed bridges to enter and exit the city easily. Some have quite an illustrious history in their own right. Let’s take a look at the bridges of ancient Rome. Pons Milvius (Milvian Bridge) Let’s start with one of the most famous bridges […]
The Circus of Nero (also known as Circus of Caligula or Circus Gaius) was an ancient Roman arena that was located where St Peter’s Basilica now stands. Circus of Nero location The Circus was located in what is now the Vatican City, and St Peter’s Basilica now covers much of its footprint. Maps of the
The Scalae Gemoniae (Gemonian Stairs) was a set of stairs connected to the Capitoline Hill that was used as a method of punishment for those criminals who had disgraced Rome. Purpose of Gemonian Stairs Like its gruesome counterpart, the Tarpeian Rock, the Gemonian Stairs were used for criminals that the Romans wanted to disgrace. Whereas the Tarpeian Rock was used
The house that Rome’s legendary founder, Romulus, lived in during the eighth century BC was located on the southwest corner of the Palatine Hill. Archeologists and historians understand where the hut was likely located as the Romans were meticulous when writing about their society. Very helpful when piecing together the history of an ancient civilization.
The Colossus of Nero was a colossal statue built during the time of emperor Nero that was placed at the entrance area to his private palatial grounds, the Domus Aurea. The statue was designed and built by the Greek architect, Zenodorus Mercurius between AD 64 – AD 68. It is said that the statue was
At its height, Rome was a city of more than one million people. With so many people to supply entertainment, housing, bathing, food, religious spaces and fresh water to, the city of Rome had a plethora of sporting venues, temples, bath houses and aqueducts. Let’s take a look at ancient Rome on a map and
The Theater of Marcellus was an open-air theater built in Rome, near the Tiber River. It was dedicated to Marcus Claudius Marcellus. Who is Marcus Claudius Marcellus? Marcus Claudius Marcellus was the nephew of Octavian (future Emperor Augustus), being the son of Octavian’s sister, Octavia Minor and her husband Gaius Claudius Marcellus. He was born
The Temple of Castor and Pollux is located in the Roman Forum and is dedicated to the twin half-brother Gods Castor and Pollux (or Polydeuces), collectively known as the Dioscuri or Dioskouroi. Who were Castor and Pollux? The story of Castor and Pollux is complicated, with details changing quite often throughout the centuries. It is
Crime and punishment are a part of any society, with many ancient civilizations (and modern ones, for that matter) devising unique, and at times grotesque, ways of dealing with its criminals. For the Romans, one such grotesque method was the Tarpeian Rock. Located on the southern side of the Capitoline Hill, the Tarpeian Rock (Rupes Tarpeia or Saxum Tarpeium)
Continuing with our series of Roman ruins, we take a look outside Italy. We’re off to the lands of Britannia, a once-fabled land on the edge of the ancient world, filled with mystics, druids, and savage warriors—a real mysterious ancient civilization to the Romans. Let’s look at some of the Roman ruins in England. Hadrian’s Wall Perhaps one of
