Of all of the world’s empires, few have risen from such inauspicious beginnings to such heights as did that of the Romans. For several hundred years following its mythical foundation in 753 BCE, Rome was just one of many towns in Central Italy. It controlled little more than some farmland in the surrounding countryside. In […]
The History Behind the Cruel Roman Practice of Decimation Read More »
When one thinks of a marathon, one likely imagines a race run by many people, with bystanders on the sidelines armed with encouragement, towels, and water bottles. They likely imagine numbers plastered across fronts and a distinct finish line that the winner would break through, resulting in a loud chorus of excited cheers, where each
How the Marathon Got its Name: An Origin Rooted in Battle and Myth Read More »
Every age has its celebrities. In early modern England, they were actors on the stages of London’s theatres. In Belle Époque France, it was the dancers of the Moulin Rouge and the Folies Bergére. Forty years after that, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Greta Garbo became the first stars of Hollywood. But before any of
Who Were Ancient Rome’s Most Famous Gladiators? Read More »
The Lovers of Valdaro, or Valdaro Lovers, are two 6,000-year-old skeletons discovered in a Neolithic tomb near Valdaro in Mantua, Italy, in 2007. Their name comes from the fact that they appear locked in an embrace. The burial dates to the Neolithic period, which lasted from 10,000 – 4,500 BCE. This burial is unique because
The Lovers of Valdaro – A Double Burial From Neolithic Italy Read More »
