The Lupercal is said to be a cave where a she-wolf suckled the legendary founder of Rome, Romulus, and his brother Remus. It would not be easy to describe the cave’s location and the importance of some details surrounding the legend of twin brothers Romulus and Remus without mentioning their origin story. The twins were […]
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.
It has gone down as one of the worst defeats in Roman history. Three Roman legions were lost on the battlefield, and three legionary eagles were captured as a former Roman officer betrayed the army. What happened at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest? Why don’t we know the names of the legions that were lost?
Battle of Teutoburg Forest and Rome’s lost legions Read More »
What long-term economic factors led to the collapse of the Roman Empire? There were a few reasons, including rapid inflation through the ‘debasement’ of their currency, costly wars, political instability, corruption, and loss of land. What long-term economic factors led to the collapse of the Roman Empire? Any civilization will have problems, particularly as they
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
It is one of the most significant historical mysteries – what happened to Rome’s ninth Legion? Was it destroyed in Britannia? Judea? Armenia? Or is there another explanation? Here, we will trace the movements of the storied Roman Legion, cover the popular theories, and add to the conversation by formulating our own theory about the
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
