Animals as Symbols: A Lion Attacking a Stag

Animals and Us The personification of animals in modern wildlife documentaries is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand it makes their lives relatable to us, helps us empathise with the ups-and-downs of a wild living, helps us appreciate the wonderful, safe bubble we have built around ourselves and makes an otherwise

Cats in Culture

A look at the cultural importance of cats to humans down through the millennia, examining what, exactly, the portrayal of cats says about us rather than vice versa. Released for International Cat Day 2021.

Roman History in a Nutshell: The Pyrrhic Wars – Carthage and the Battle of Asculum, 279 BCE

A look at the middle portion of Rome’s wars with the Kingdom of Epirus under Pyrrhus. The involvement of Carthage makes the whole affair very interesting, and while Rome appears to keep losing, they do so whilst giving Pyrrhus and his forces a solid effort and taking out some key troops and generals. How long can Pyrrhus hold out fighting the Romans? What exactly will Carthaginian involvement be and where will this lead?

Roman History in a Nutshell – The Rest of the Med 20th Century BCE – 3rd Century BCE

A very brief look at about 2,000 years worth of history in around 1,000 words with lots of maps! Maps are good! Find out what was going on with the Greeks, the Hellenistic world and the Carthaginians in this installment of Roman History in a Nutshell.

Roman History in a Nutshell – The Gallic Wars ~390 BCE – ~284 BCE

In all of the history of Rome, besides themselves, there was only ever one enemy that came close to the total and complete destruction of the Roman state. For all of the talk of a ‘decline and fall’ narrative in the 5th century CE I don’t buy it. The mechanics of the Roman state were

Roman History in a Nutshell – The Latin Wars ~7th Century BCE – ~338 BCE

A brief look at Latium, Rome’s various alliances and conflicts with the Latins, the Latin League and the eventual adoption of all Latin cities under the Roman banner.

Roman History in a Nutshell – Wars with Sabines, Veii and Fidenae ~753 BCE – ~287 BCE

A short look at the Roman conflict with the Sabines and their allies, but mainly exploring how Rome was a military nation and made, and spread, their power through militarily.

Roman History in a Nutshell – Wars with Etruscans Pre-753BCE to ~264 BCE

A look at the 500 year long love-hate relationship between Roman society and their Etruscan neighbours that caused so many wars and conflicts it becomes impossible to realise how much the Etruscans influenced the Romans.

Roman History in a Nutshell: The Patrician Era and the Conflict of the Orders 494 BCE – 287 BCE

An overview of the first few centuries of the Roman Republic in socio-political terms. The establishment of the Republic by the Patrician class and the political enfranchisement of the plebeian class through the conflict of the orders leading to the election of Tribunes of the Plebs and the Lex Hortensia.