Roman History in a Nutshell: The Pyrrhic Wars – The Battle of Heraclea, 280 BCE

Covering the build up to and cause of the Pyrrhic wars. With Roman influence spreading they were bound to bump up against the greater greek world, magna graecia, sooner or later. The city of Tarentum would be the trigger and they would ask King Pyrrhus of Epirus for help – putting Rome in conflict with the Hellenic Kingdoms for the first time. The Battle of Heraclea would be the first major battle, resulting in a loss for Rome, but significant casualties for Pyrrhus.

Portus Lemanis: The Forgotten Saxon Shore Fort

A sad look at forgotten history as we discuss the significant Roman remains laying unexcavated, untouched, in private land, barely accessible to people without trespassing, at Portus Lemanis. Near modern Hythe and Lympne. At one point a significant Saxon Shore Fort and Port for the Classis Britannica, the Romano-British navy.

Roman History in a Nutshell – The Samnite Wars ~343 BCE – ~290 BCE

A look at Rome’s wars with the Samnites, a central italian group mainly populating the Apenning region. These wars would lead to Rome’s first direct control of Grecian culture, via Neapolis, as well as pushing their boundaries closer to the Greek and Carthaginian superpowers.

The Mother of Rome? Livia Drusilla

How better to celebrate International Women’s Day than with a profile and analysis of one of the most important figures in Roman Imperial History – Livia Drusilla – The Diva Augusta and wife of Augustus.

The Fan-Tas-Tic Virtues of Rome

Content Warning: This article features discussion on suicide. Should you be experiencing suicidal thoughts please contact a local mental health service or suicide prevention service as soon as possible. Virtue – meaning a sort of essence of goodness, a moral righteousness. Generally it is considered a positive thing but one could be accused of ‘virtue

Modern Things Romans Would Love #1: Social Media (especially Instagram and Twitter)

It is quite funny that actors in Roman society were considered only a step above prostitutes. Indeed many actors ran a side business as prostitutes, so bereft of opportunities, and funds, they were in acting. I say it is funny because to an extent all Roman life was an act, an elaborate performance. If you

Modern Things Romans Would Love #2: Pro-Wrestling

The roaring crowd, their eyes fixated on the centre of a theatre, a ring (so-called even though it is quite square), a cage, a pit, all waiting with bated breath to see their favourite fighters, their favourite personalities, come out and put their bodies on the line for glory, victory and entertainment. I am, of

Modern Things Romans Would Love #5: AirBnB

How coincidental these two entries follow each other. You see, it is difficult to travel without having people to take you places or places to stay when you get there. Roman hospitium, hospitality, is truly the stuff of legend. You might not think it given how often they showed themselves to be an elitist shower

Modern Things Romans Would Love #6: Travel and Tourist Tat

Archaeological evidence from across the Roman world has dug up trinkets from various other parts of the world; Jewellery, figurines, carvings, etc. Basically they found everything but fridge magnets, keyrings and postcards. Not only did Romans have a penchant for travelling the world – sometimes for leisure, sometimes for education and sometimes because they had to because they were soldiers – but they also liked to bring back trinkets for their families. Roman-era tourist tat actually existed.

Modern Things Romans Would Love #7: Gender and Sexuality Liberation

This is one that’s going to piss off so many pseudo-classicists, the ones that come from that lens of neo-classicism. Neo-classicism was an idea that sprung up, predominantly, in Victorian-era Britain, where conservatism and austerity were things to be admired. Meanwhile, behind the scenes and down back alleys you’d be getting wankered on bathtub gin