#ancientrome — Public Fediverse posts

Shattered Roman metal sat misunderstood for generations until its secret emerged: rare luxury battle armor, probably worn by a powerful centurion and abandoned in Scotland.
#AncientRome #RomanEmpire #Archaeology #HistoryMystery
Read more:https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/roman-arm-guard-0020242

“ #AncientRome was a #city of immigrants,” writes historian Ryan R. Abrecht, “a pre-modern metropolis of perhaps a million people at its height, most of them #immigrants or the descendants of immigrants.”
#Rome daily.jstor.org/ancient-rome...

Ancient Rome: A City of Immigr...

Overwhelming from every angle. Standing in the shadow of the Colosseum is a reminder of very gladiatorial combat, every animal hunt, and the way that for many generations the centre of Roman power could feel condensed in this very place.

#AncientRome #Colosseum

?? FASCINATING DISCOVERY: Romans Mastered Nanotechnology and Used it for Eye Catching Decoration
?? Trending with 100K+ readers! The truth is stranger than fiction! ?
https://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-ancient-technology/romans-mastered-nanotechnology-and-used-it-eye-catching-decoration-021818
#AncientOrigins #History #Archaeology #RomanEmpire #AncientRome #Artifacts #Archaeological #HumanOrigins #Evolution #HistoryFacts

??? ANCIENT MYSTERY: The Sicarii: The Jewish Daggermen With a Thirst for Roman Blood
?? Trending with 100K+ readers! The truth is stranger than fiction! ?
https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-important-events/sicarii-jewish-daggermen-thirst-roman-blood-008179
#AncientOrigins #History #Archaeology #RomanEmpire #AncientRome #HumanOrigins #Evolution #Fascinating #Past #HistoryFacts

Throwback to the book launch of our debut book: ‘Rex: The Seven Kings of Rome’. We never imagined that when we started a podcast that one day that would lead us to the chance to also write about ancient Rome!

#AncientRome #Podcast

[Part 2] Gladiator's Way: From a Funeral Ritual to Entertainment and Politics

https://buymeacoffee.com/newscafe/part-2-the-gladiator-way-from-funeral-ritual-entertainment-industry
#rome #ancientrome #romanempire #history #ancienthistory #gladiator

💁🏻‍♀️ TIL: ✍️🏛️ At Cicero’s request, his freed slave and secretary Marcus Tullius Tiro devised Tironian notes, a #shorthand system of roughly 4,000 symbols for #Latin.

Used to transcribe the orator’s speeches, it expanded to 14,000 signs before emperors suppressed it as diabolical. The symbol ⁊ survives today as the Tironian et in #Unicode, preserved by #Irish and #Gaelic #typography.

👉 https://www.openculture.com/2026/08/discover-the-ancient-roman-shorthand-writing-system-with-4000-symbols-commissioned-by-cicero.html

#cicero #history #rome #writing #language #linguistics #typing #ancientrome #science

In the Roman republic, Vedius Pollio gained quite a reputation for treating his slaves badly by feeding them to eels, but it also turns out that Vedius’ dad had been a slave which might explain just how terribly he was trying to escape his familial history…

Someone get Freud on the line!

#AncientRome #MosaicMonday

[Part 1] Gladiator's Way: From a Funeral Ritual to Entertainment and Politics

https://buymeacoffee.com/newscafe/part-1-the-gladiator-way-from-funeral-ritual-entertainment-industry
#rome #ancientrome #romanempire #history #gladiator

Am 23.08.26 gibt auf der Saalburg (bei Bad Homburg v. d. H.) folgendes bei den „Sonntagsrömern“: Eine römische Schulstunde, eine Imkerin und ein Lampenmacher… Mal sehen, vielleicht schaffe ich es ja diesmal dorthin. Wenn es nicht wieder so heiß ist.

Link: https://www.saalburgmuseum.de/events/sonntagsroemer-roemische-schule-lampenmacher-und-imkerin/

#roman #römisch #ancientrome #romanitas #saalburg #taunus #saalburgmuseum

Romans stacked thousands of enormous granite blocks without mortar, creating an aqueduct that survived nearly two millennia—only to face an unexpected enemy: modern traffic.
#AncientRome #RomanEmpire #Segovia #RomanAqueduct #AncientEngineering #Spain #Archaeology #AncientTechnology #HiddenHistory
Read more:https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-europe/segovia-aqueduct-0012747

Cuenco de vidrio del 175-75 a.C. , elaborado en el Mediterráneo oriental (Chipre, Egipto o el Levante), que imita a la calcedonia. Es uno de los primeros vidrios que conocieron los romanos y es anterior al desarrollo del soplado, por lo que se prensaba sobre un molde. 🏛️Museo Británico #antiguaroma #ancientrome

?? INCREDIBLE FIND: Roman Law and the Banning of "Passive' Homosexuality
?? Trending with 100K+ readers! What do you think? ??
https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-europe/roman-law-and-banning-passive-homosexuality-00832
#AncientOrigins #History #Archaeology #RomanEmpire #AncientRome #HumanOrigins #Evolution #Past #Civilization #Incredible

Movie Review: William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar (1953)

Title: William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
Release Date: June 4, 1953
Director:  Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Production Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Main Cast:

• Marlon Brando as Mark Antony
• James Mason as Brutus
• John Gielgud as Cassius
• Louis Calhern as Julius Caesar
• Edmond O’Brien as Casca
• Greer Garson as Calpurnia
• Deborah Kerr as Portia
• George Macready as Marullus
• Michael Pate as Flavius
• Richard Hale as a Soothsayer
• Alan Napier as Cicero
• John Hoyt as Decius Brutus
• Tom Powers as Metellus Cimber
• William Cottrell as Cinna
• Jack Raine as Trebonius
• Ian Wolfe as Ligarius
• Morgan Farley as Artemidorus
• Bill Phipps as Servant to Antony
• Douglas Watson as Octavius Caesar
• Douglass Dumbrille as Lepidus
• Rhys Williams as Lucilius
• Michael Ansara as Pindarus
• Dayton Lummis as Messala
• Edmund Purdom as Strato
• Paul Guilfoyle as First Citizen
• John Doucette as Second Citizen
• Lawrence Dobkin as Third Citizen
• Jo Gilbert as Fourth Citizen

Synopsis (via Letterboxd):

The growing ambition of Julius Caesar is a source of major concern to his close friend Brutus. Cassius persuades him to participate in his plot to assassinate Caesar but both have sorely underestimated Mark Antony.

My Thoughts:

Julius Caesar receives the full MGM classic era treatment: big sets, big crowds, and big stars!  And it’s mostly effective.  For it’s cast of thousands, the success of this movie is down to the talents of its three lead actors.  Marlo Brando breaks from the mumbler typecast he had at the time to be an inspirational Mark Antony while John Gielgud is imperious as the conspiracy leader Cassius.  I have to admit that I usually find James Mason to be very creepy, but his creepiness is toned down here allowing him to play a sympathetic antihero in Brutus.  Producer John Houseman decided to break the tradition of an all-British cast in Shakespeare productions and it pays off in performances such as Edmond O’Brien’s very Brooklyn approach to Casca.  Joseph L. Mankiewicz is known for being a dialogue director which feels like it should be right for a Shakespeare, but his approach is too faithful in presenting it as a historical drama.  For a movie released just after the end of World War II, I had hoped that the crisis of dictators with ambitions would feel more present. While the monologues are strong, the movie lacks an overall sense of urgency and intrigue.

Rating: ***1/2

?? AMAZING REVELATION: Roman Weapons: Sharp Blades to Conquer the Ancient World
?? Trending with 100K+ readers! The truth is stranger than fiction! ?
https://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-ancient-technology/roman-weapons-0011314
#AncientOrigins #History #Archaeology #RomanEmpire #AncientRome #Artifacts #Archaeological #HumanOrigins #Evolution #Educational

Book Review: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

Author: William Shakespeare
Title: Julius Caesar
Publication Info: New York : Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2011 [first performed circa 1599]
Summary/Review:

Despite the title, this play is not about Julius Caesar. In fact [SPOILERS], Caesar dies at the beginning of Act III.  Instead it’s the story of Marcus Junius Brutus, depicted by Shakespeare as a friend of Caesar’s concerned that Caesar’s ambition and appointment as dictator for life threatens the Roman Republic.  And it’s the story of Cassius, the zealot who organizes a conspiracy against Caesar and convinces Brutus to join. And it’s the story of Mark Antony, ally of Caesar, who craftily sways the Roman public against the conspirators but maintains a respect toward Brutus. The brilliance of Shakespeare is that while all of these characters are flawed, rash, and entangled in political intrigue, there is no real villain in the piece.

Favorite Passages:

It’s a truism that Shakespeare originated – or at least popularized – numerous words and phrases.  But it’s still a surprise to me just how many familiar phrases are in this play.  There are some sayings that are obviously from Julius Caesar even if you haven’t read the play, such as:

• Beware the Ides of March (Soothsayer, Act 1, scene 2)
• Et tu, Brutè? (Caesar, Act 3, scene 1)
• Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears (Antony, Act 3, scene 2)

But I was surprised to read these notable phrases in the dialogue as well:

• The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars (Cassius, Act 1, scene 2) – “Brutus” is typically left out when this is quoted in popular culture
• Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look. (Caesar, Act 1, scene 2) – Again, I often hear this without “Cassius”
• But for mine own part, it was Greek to me (Casca, Act 1, scene 2)
• Cry “Havoc!” and let slip the dogs of war (Antony, Act 3, scene 1)
• This was the most unkindest cut of all (Antony, Act 3, scene 2)

Rating: ****1/2

I’m reading every Shakespeare play, one per month, in chronological order.  Here’s my progress thus far:

1. The Two Gentlemen of Verona
2. The Taming of the Shrew
3. Henry VI, Part 1
4. Henry VI, Part 2
5. Henry VI, Part 3
6. Titus Andronicus
7. Richard III
8. The Comedy of Errors
9. Love’s Labours’ Lost
10. Richard II
11. Romeo and Juliet
12. A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream
13. The Life and Death of King John
14. The Merchant of Venice
15. The History of Henry IV, Part 1
16. The Merry Wives of Windsor
17. The History of Henry IV, Part 2
18. Much Ado About Nothing
19. King Henry V

Dido with attendants and a goddess personifying Africa (suggested by the elephant headdress). In the distance there is a ship which has led to the interpretation that this scene depicts the moment Dido realises that Aeneas had unceremoniously dumped her to continue his quest to found Rome.

#AncientRome #AncientNorthAfrica #Dido

Ancient warfare was surprisingly advanced. Powerful crossbows, giant Roman bolt throwers, repeating catapults and Greek Fire turned ancient battlefields into something frighteningly modern.
#AncientWeapons #RomanEmpire #GreekFire #AncientRome #HistoryFacts
Read more:https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-technology-artifacts/ancient-war-machines-00103053

✨Interview with Dr Emma Southon✨

We sat down with Dr Emma Southon to learn more about slavery in the ancient Roman world. It was more complex and more horrifying than you may imagine.

#AncientRome #Podcast

Tune in here: https://partialhistorians.com/2026/08/13/special-episode-servus-how-slavery-built-the-roman-empire-with-dr-emma-southon/

A 1,600-year-old Roman nail cleaner found near Cheltenham, England, has a very unusual handle. To Romans, the phallus wasn't obscene—it was a lucky symbol believed to protect against evil. #AncientRome #RomanBritain #Archaeology #AncientHistory #HistoryFacts Read more:https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/roman-nail-cleaner-00103062

A Staggering Excavation Has Rewritten The Fall of The Roman Empire

https://onlinemarketingscoops.com/2026/08/10/a-staggering-excavation-has-rewritten-the-fall-of-the-roman-empire/

A Roman sarcophagus spent decades holding flowers at Blenheim Palace before experts realized the garden ornament was an ancient treasure worth hundreds of thousands.
#AncientRome #RomanHistory #Archaeology #BlenheimPalace #HistoryFacts
Read more: https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/could-be-most-expensive-flowerpot-england-364000-roman-sarcophagus-was-021260

"Your life is devoted to caring for the chickens. These are special chickens. Sacred chickens, in the Romans’ lunatic goyishe religion."

Read "You Are Saved" by Zachary Smolar about the earliest days of #christianity in #ancientrome. Original #art by Scott Tierney

https://sites.google.com/view/sundial-magazine/curios/you-are-saved

I bought this book several years ago. "The Odyssey" got me in the mood to start reading it. I'm mostly interested in tuning, scales, and meter, but I'm glad I read the chapters on instruments, because they also give some insight into tuning and scales. Like I had no idea the term 'diesis' used in temperament discussion today derived from aulos playing technique. #musicTheory #earlyMusic #musicology #history #ancientGreece #ancientRome #odyssey #movies #theOdyssey

Why didn’t medieval Europe’s armies use ballistas?

https://buymeacoffee.com/newscafe/why-didn-medieval-europe-armies-use-ballistas
#ancientrome #middleage #medievaleurope #history