Less famous than the legions, the Roman navy had an essential role in establishing and expanding ancient Rome’s power and influence. Comparable to the Georgian navy that secured British dominance over the world’s seas by the late eighteenth century, the Roman navy was crucial in maintaining Rome’s mastery of the Mediterranean and other seas. From o...
READ MOREThe famous Pantheon in Rome boasts the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome—an architectural marvel that has endured for millennia, thanks to the incredible durability of ancient Roman concrete. For decades, scientists have been trying to determine precisely what makes the material so durable. A new analysis of samples taken from the concrete...
READ MORERomans are famous for their love of baths. Wherever the Romans went, they built baths (famously in England they built the Roman baths in the city of Bath). Today Rome is famous for its ancient ruins and there are plenty of traces of the ancient powerful empire to be found around the Eternal City. One of the key ruins is the Baths of Diocletian. The...
READ MOREWithin a space of only five years (270-275 AD), Emperor Aurelian achieved more than most of his predecessors (and successors). He stabilized the Danube frontier, expelling all the barbarians who threatened the Roman Empire. He encircled Rome with a massive wall that can still be seen today. Aurelian was a competent soldier, but he was also a reform...
READ MOREIf you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the Eternal City for a day, taking a trip from Rome to Orvieto is the perfect solution! This medieval town is located in the Umbria region of central Italy and is famous for beautiful churches, delicious food, and stunning views. Here's everything you need to know about taking a day trip from Ro...
READ MOREThe Romans are known for their ingenuity: aqueducts, road systems, daily newspapers, cement, sanitation, elements of social care, welfare and our modern legal system all come from them. That’s without even taking into account their military and tactical know-how. However, I was surprised to find out they may also have created something that seems m...
READ MOREPiazza Vittorio Emanuele (simply piazza Vittorio for the locals) is one of Rome's largest and busiest squares, located in the heart of Esquilino district. It was built and arranged in its present shape in the late 1880s, and it is enclosed on all four sides by huge buildings in the typical late 19th century style, with a continuous series of arcade...
READ MOREFor ancient mariners, the Mediterranean Sea was a chaotic place. Sailors had to deal with fickle Mediterranean winds, unpredictable storms, fierce waves, and shifting tides. Yet, despite the dangers of sea travel and its seasonal limitations, sailing was the preferred way to travel. The Mediterranean had a vital role for the ancient Romans, allowin...
READ MORERome, usually a city on the verge of an urban breakdown, suddenly seems on the cusp of getting it together. A refreshing breeze of possibility, not just this summer’s burning garbage, is blowing through the city. A Bulgari hotel will soon open in the center of town, along with other brand-name accommodations that promise a reinvigoration of luxury...
READ MOREThe Roman Empire once stretched across swathes of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa to encircle the Mediterranean Sea. While the empire is long gone, remnants of its inhabitants’ lives remain scattered throughout the region, waiting to be rediscovered. From the Netherlands to Morocco, archaeological findings in 2022 revealed the luxurious li...
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