The Roman Colosseum, one of the most iconic symbols of ancient Rome, is often admired for its grandeur and historical significance. However, many people wonder why it appears incomplete today, with only part of the structure still standing. What happened to the other half of this architectural marvel? Over the centuries, the Colosseum has endured…
In the heart of ancient Rome, where grandeur and innovation thrived, the Roman bath houses stood as a testament to the empire’s architectural prowess and cultural sophistication. These public baths, known as thermae, were far more than just places to cleanse the body—they were vibrant social centers where citizens of all classes gathered to relax,…
The Roman Empire in the West collapsed in the second half of the fifth century. So What happened next? Hans-Ulrich Wiemer has written an excellent biography of Theoderic the Goth, a remarkable figure who ruled a short-lived empire encompassing Italy, Spain, Southern Gaul, and the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, with political influence reaching…
When do you think the Roman Empire fell? 476? How much do you know about the Byzantine empire? Should it even be called The Byzantine Empire? Anthony Kaldellis in his book “New Roman Empire” doesn’t think so. As he says, It’s not a name it ever applied to itself, and was only created by western…
A few months ago, I gave a glowing review to Mary Beard’s SPQR. I thought it presented an excellent overview of ancient Roman history, society, and culture. It offered interesting arguments and insights that would be worthwhile to read for total newcomers to Ancient Rome as well as interested amateurs like me. For that reason,…
One of the reasons people find the Roman Empire so fascinating is the often extreme vices attributed to its emperors. Ancient historians were experts at attributing the most brutal crimes to emperors they disapproved of. It’s sometimes hard to decide how much credence to give to ancient literary sources when they are so willing to…
If he is remembered by the general public for anything today, the once-notorious Emperor Elagabalas is known as the subject of the painting “The Roses of Heliogabalus” by Lawrence Alma-Tadema. It portrays a famous scene described in the Historia Augusta. This most decadent of emperors hosted a lavish banquet and topped it off by releasing…
Continuing his excellent series of books on the Roman Empire, starting with Rubicon about the fall of the Republic, followed up with Dynasty about the House of Augustus, Tom Holland has now written Pax, bringing the story into the golden age of the empire. Of course, the title is partly ironic, given that even in…
In the preface to her book “Helena Augusta: Mother of the Empire,” Julia Hillner notes the difficulty inherent in writing a history about someone best known for having done something she did not do: discover the true cross. She stresses that, unlike so many others, she did not want to write a book about the…
“The book, Rome Is Burning: Nero and the Fire That Ended a Dynasty,” by Anthony A. Barrett, is one of the best books about Rome when it comes to the Nero and the Great Fire of 64. This book, published on November 10th, 2020, provides a comprehensive and engaging account of the Great Fire of…