Ancient Rome was full of huge personalities. Just like in modern times, there are people in power who do their job and aren’t really all that entertaining, while others are so bold and inflammatory that we can’t stop talking about them. It was the same for Rome–maybe even more so. Rulers came and went, but […]
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Evaluating generalship is often a practice of choosing arbitrary values to rank. Military historians will argue infinitely over the relative merits of one leader over another. Ranking Roman generals is not immune to this kind of controversy. Sun Tzu provides us with some guidance: “Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy’s troops without any fighting;
Who were the 10 greatest Roman generals? Read More »
People have always gone to great lengths to look attractive through the centuries. All different cultures and eras have seen their fair share of truly bizarre, not to mention dangerous, beauty trends. Some are weirder than others. For example, the Renaissance era saw women using leeches to achieve a pale, “ghostly” appearance. Women in 19th-century
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For as long as societies have fought and battled one another, the weapons they developed, relied upon and ultimately had to defend against have defined their deadly combat. In the realm of ancient warfare, one weapon in particular emerged. It embodied precision and deadly effectiveness—the plumbata. The plumbata was wielded by skilled Roman skirmishers. This
A Deadly Precision Weapon of Ancient Rome: The Plumbata Read More »
The four cardinal virtues are wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice. The word ‘cardinal’ comes from the Latin word cardo for ‘hinge’ or the word cardinalis meaning ‘essential’. It is often said that all human virtues hinge on these four. The Four Cardinal Virtues Throughout History The four cardinal virtues were originally conceptualized by Plato, expanded
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In a world where modern athletes like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, or Mike Tyson capture headlines and acquire massive fortunes, there exists a historical figure whose wealth and fame dwarf even the most celebrated sports icons of our time. His name was Gaius Appuleius Diocles. He was a legendary Roman charioteer whose fortune remains unrivaled.
The Story of the Wealthiest Athlete in History: Gaius Appuleius Diocles Read More »
Among all the beautiful things built by the ancient Romans, few stood as magnificent as the Circus Maximus. Although the term circus is used to define an entertainment event these days, the Circus Maximus, Latin for “largest circus,” was actually a venue. But more than that, it was an architectural marvel. Used for everything from
Circus Maximus: Chariot racing in Ancient Rome Read More »
For centuries, the Gallic tribes of what is now France aided Rome’s enemies and threatened Roman expansion. Gauls fought with the Carthaginians in the Punic Wars. They were part of Hannibal’s army at Cannae which annihilated a Roman army in 217 BC. The Romans attempted to work around the Mediterranean through Spain. They were trying
Romano-Gallic War: A Clash of Empires in Ancient Times Read More »
The sweltering heat of the Parthian desert was a terrible place to die. Stricken with grief at the death of his son, and exhausted from battle, Roman general Marcus Licinius Crassus met his end in that miserable place. Crassus’s death, as well as what happened to his body after death, is shrouded in mystery. Whether
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Amidst the many forgotten battles and long-lost heroes of history, a tale of extraordinary warriors emerges from the beautiful Mediterranean shores of the Balearic Islands. Picture a band of audacious, fearsome men armed with nothing more than a leather pouch. With a flick of the wrist, they unleash a tempest of stones with uncanny precision
Hannibal’s Secret War Weapon: The Balearic Slingers Read More »
