The diagonal lines from this part of the Colosseum, can’t fine anything about it

Bite marks found on the skeleton of a Roman gladiator found in York, UK in 2024 are the first archaeological evidence of combat between a human and a lion.

source

Recreations of 2 Roman gladiator types. "A classic pairing: two swordsmen. Yet their equipment reveals distinct differences. The murmillo—with his distinctive helmet, broad sword, and an 8-kilogram shield—was invulnerable to frontal attacks. The armor of his opponent, the thraex, was inspired by the Thracians, former Roman enemies from the East. He differed from the secutor by virtue of his small shield and curved sword, though he, too, was heavily armored. The thraex had to try to draw the murmillo out of his defensive stance or catch him from behind. The murmillo, in turn, had to prevent this by focusing on his defense and launching sword strikes as surprise attacks from a defensive position." Per a special exhibition on gladiators (using google translator) in the Archäologisches Landesmuseum Baden-Württemberg in Konstanz, Germany.

The Appian way is of course legendary - many sections are still intact, and for leisure people can go and walk the picturesque road - the very same road that the most notable Ancient Roman people have walked or ridden on horseback.

That is pretty much where my question lies - are we, the tourists, literally walk the very same rocks that the legionaires and Julius Caesar have stepped on and scratched with the nails on their caligae, and other legendary figures, or have the blocks been replaced over time, repaired etc? How much of Via Appia Antica is original?

PS I am asking this because I believe it is that one Roman relic that was used by pretty much all the notable figures since it's construction in 312 BC. People get excited about Napoleon's emperor cloak, because he personally touched it/used it. At the same time - you can touch one of the larger stones on the Appian way outside of Rome - you should be excited about hundreds of famous names who stepped on it (or their horse)

About a week ago, I went to the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon to see Baalbek. This was the site of the largest Roman temple built in the empire, to Jupiter, and there were two other temples there to Venus and Bacchus.

If you're ever in Lebanon, these are a must see. However, it's two hours away from Beirut by car.

Of all the Roman stuff I've seen, this was second only to the forum in Rome.

Source of the pictures here, here, here, here and here. Reconstruction of the city made by Jean-Claude Golvin

Since my Pompeii photos were a hit, I thought it would be fun to share some of my photos from Herculaneum too. I found Herculaneum fascinating even though it was less spectacular than Pompeii. It was very interesting in how it had a different feel from Pompeii, particularly in how Herculaneum was very much a vertical town rising up from the coast. It was also fascinating to observe differences like the abundance of two-storey buildings and the more sophisticated drainage system. However, Herculaneum is much less complete on account of being far less excavated than Pompeii - this means that it's harder to get a sense of Herculaneum as a thriving town with all the amenities and public buildings (which are visible in Pompeii in abundance).

I have some arguments in support of existence of the early roman monarchy. I'd like to hear your opinions. I'm not a historian, just a guy who reads everything ancient-Rome =)

1. The Sibylline books and Cloaka Maxima are real. Doesn't that directly make Tarquinius Superbus a historical figure? Then Targuinius would have his predecessors on the throne - why doubt the throne and their names?

2. Why would the roman folk make up rulers that didn't exist, instead of discussing and remembering the rulers that actually existed, like people always do? People remember their achievements, shortcomings, actions, appearance, peculiar habits long after the said ruler is gone. They remain in the memory of the folk for a long time, become the objects of songs, stories, anecdotes. People do not make up current political rulers. They discuss and remembr the actual ones

3. And I'd like to know what is the reason that historians are adamant in their scepticity of Roman kings? What is unrealistic about some Etruscan chiefs ruling the first settlements around Rome in a form of monarchy?

A Roman military honorable discharge certificate (honesta missio) in Latin for a soldier from Thrace who already had Roman citizenship. It doesn’t mention fighting however due to his length of service and where he was stationed, he would have seen an area becoming less stable and probably fought against Germanic invasions.

“This small tablet is a document recording a soldier's honorable discharge from military service; it belongs to the category of artifacts known as military diplomas.
Typically, these were issued to discharged auxiliary soldiers as proof that they had been granted Roman citizenship. However, this particular inscribed tablet belonged to a legionary who was already a Roman citizen when he enlisted. Such documents are extremely rare.
Septimius Bubas was a soldier in the *Legio I Minervia* (stationed in Bonn) and hailed from Thrace. The document was issued by the governor of Lower Germany. At the time of his discharge, Bubas was a candidate for promotion—likely to the rank of centurion. Further details were recorded on a second tablet that was originally hinged to this one. The tablet was found in the Danube region. Bubas evidently returned to his homeland after completing his military service in Bonn.” Per the Rheinisches Landesmuseum in Bonn, Germany using google translator, where this artifact that dated to around 250 AD is on display.

Wondering what I should expect out of the book and what I should keep in mind.

I found that all the models of my favorite building where either too expensive for me or just really underwhelming. So I spent a really long time designing my own! I didn't really know what I was doing at first, but kept improving it and adding little details and features. Now more than a year later it's finally done and I can add it to my history shelf!

Its made at 1:300 scale, its 3D printed and has removable pieces to reveal the internal structures and hidden rooms.

Right archway cleaned, left not cleaned. Oct 2026.

I often hear it said that gladiator fights were rarely to the death, for the reason that gladiators were expensive to train.

This reasoning strikes me as flawed. The games were meant to be ostentatious displays of wealth. The elites who put on the games were not known for pinching pennies. In fact, spending money was kind of the point. During the inaugural games of the Flavian amphitheater, 9000 animals were slaughtered!

In fact if gladiators were known to be expensive, this would make killing them off another display of tremendous wealth, just the sort of thing the games were intended to showcase.

I think although its true that not every fight was to the death, a lot of them were. These were slaves, human chattel. Training them would not be a major expense for a wealthy aristocrat. Gladiators were expendable and they were expended for the entertainment of the crowds.

This 2,000-year-old gold ring was produced in the eastern parts of the Roman Empire and was discovered in Södermanland, Sweden, in 1936. It is currently preserved in the collections of the Swedish History Museum (Historiska museet) in Stockholm.

Julius Caesar painting in acraylic on canvas

On October 12, 19 BC, Emperor Augustus returned to Rome after an extended tour of the East. During his travels, he negotiated with the Parthians for the return of legionary standards captured during the failed campaigns of Marcus Licinius Crassus, Decidius Saxa, and Mark Antony. Augustus was victorious without fighting a single battle. Rome and Parthia would remain at peace for the next 76 years.

Augustus refused a military triumph as he secured his victory diplomatically. The achievement was a reflection of his divine power and wisdom as Emperor. Augustus erected the Altar of Fortuna Redux or Returning Fortune. The priests and Vestal Virgins made sacrifices to the new cult of Fortuna Redux. Gold and silver pieces were issued bearing the Fortuna Redux slogan.

October 12 was proclaimed the holiday of Augustalia. By the reign of Claudius, Augustalia celebrations grew to include days of games and festivals. Major chariot races were often scheduled to celebrate the Empire's late founder.

Sources: Augustus, Res Gestae Divi Augusti; Cassius Dio, Roman History; Tacitus, Annals.

Source of the pictures here and here