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Two life-sized statues have been found in Pompeii. The woman may have been a priestess. She is holding laurel leaves used in religious ceremonies. https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/02/science/life-size-statues-pompeii-tomb-scli-intl/index.html https://pompeiisites.org/wp-content/uploads/04_E-Journal_A-Monumental-Tomb-with-a-relief-of-two-spouses-in-the-funerary-area-of-Porta-Sarno.pdf

Strabo (63 BCE - AD 23)wrote in his Geographica (Book IV, Chapter V) that dogs have been a historically vital resource in Britannia: Strabo, Geography, BOOK IV. These articles examine the significance of a burial pit for dogs located just southwest of London, at Nescot. These dog remains were part of Roman Britain. 2025-03-nescot-dog-insight-romano-british.pdf https://www.sciencenewstoday.org/unraveling-the-mystery-of-the-nescot-ritual-shaft-dogs-sacrifice-and-roman-britain In the quote above, many of the dogs found at Nescot resembled the modern Maltese in size. The modern Maltese is a small dog recognized for its compact build and silky white coat. Typically, these dogs weigh between 4 to 7 pounds (1.8 to 3.2 kg) and stand about 7 to 9 inches (18 to 23 cm) tall. Below is a previous post on small-dog breeding in Roman Turkey:

A 3-year-old Israeli girl has discovered an ancient Canaanite scarab while hiking with her family. (Scarabs are amulets and impression seals (shaped like scarab beetles) and were popular throughout ancient Egypt.) The scarab is 3,800 years old and was found in Tel Azeka, which is mentioned in the Bible as the site of the battle between David and the Philistine giant, Goliath. https://www.timesofisrael.com/three-year-old-girl-finds-canaanite-seal-where-bible-says-david-battled-goliath/

Here’s a needed review of the Cimbrian War

A canal built by Marius (Caesar’s uncle) has been found in Gaul in the Rhône River delta. It is dated to 104-102 BCE, and is thought to have been constructed to help Rome in the Cimbrian Wars (113-101 BCE). The Cimbrian Wars were between the Roman Republic and the tribes of the Cimbri and Teutons, among others. https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/archaeologists-may-have-finally-discovered-famous-lost-canal-built-by-julius-caesars-uncle

There was great fear that the ancient city of Hatra would be destroyed by ISIS in 2015 (see post below). Hatra was a part of the semi-autonomous kingdom of Hatra under Parthia. It is located about 110 km (68 miles) southwest of Mosul, Iraq. It was a fortified frontier city that repelled sieges by Rome under Trajan and Septimius Severus. Fortunately, much of the city has been preserved. It is the best preserved Parthian city.

King Philip II of Macedon (357-317 BCE) was the father of Alexander the Great. A tomb is Northern Greece is believed to be his. A wall painting in his tomb has been digitally recreated. (Scene from the movie “Alexander” of Philip arguing with Alexander) https://greekreporter.com/2025/03/29/ancient-greek-painting-macedonian-tomb-digital-revive/ Videos on the tomb

Here's the academic article on the study. It is very readable and interesting: THE SCENT OF ANCIENT GRECO‐ROMAN SCULPTURE

In ancient Troy two-handed drinking vessels (such as the one pictured above and called depas amphikypellon) were used among the elite and probably passed among participants during festivities. Analysis of the organic residue fragments of these vessels was consistent with fermentation products of wine. Analysis of two simple cups (found by the hundreds at Troy) showed a similar organic profile. It was concluded that wine consumption at Troy was enjoyed by both the elite and the common, more humble residents. https://theconversation.com/uncorking-the-past-new-analysis-of-troy-findings-rewrites-the-story-of-wine-in-the-early-bronze-age-252953

Below is a model of the excavations of Pompeii so far. About 1/3 of the site still awaits excavation. Notably, only 25% of Herculaneum has been excavated so far. (Herculaneum is buried under a much thicker layer of volcanic material compared to Pompeii, making excavation more difficult. Additionally, much of Herculaneum is beneath the modern town of Ercolano.)

Over the years, numerous ceramic pots containing pigments have been discovered in Pompeii. Recent research seeks to provide insights into these pigments, including the analysis of a previously unknown green pigment. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/pompeii-paint-workshops-sophisticated-study-2624136?amp=1 The scientific study is below: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305440325000500#tbl1

We have already discussed this coin hoard found in the Netherlands (see the thread below). Now known as the Bunnik hoard, the silver coins in the hoard spanned 200 BCE to AD 42. Below is an article describing the hoard. The aurei featured coins from the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, and Claudius (see photo above). Below is an aureus issued during Claudius's reign: The hoard also included these Celtic staters minted in Britain from around AD 5 to AD 43: Below is a remarkable coin of King Juba I, who ruled Numidia in northern Africa (present-day Algeria) from 60 to 40 BCE, found in a hoard. The coin may have been preserved either as a souvenir or for its intrinsic silver value. https://the-past.com/feature/spoils-of-war-an-extraordinary-roman-hoard-from-utrecht/

A Roman aqueduct has been discovered near the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. It dates to the 2nd century AD. It is thought to be the first aqueduct found in Slovakia and was part of the Roman limes in the area. Roman limes shown below: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-first-roman-aqueduct-ever-found-in-slovakia-sports-an-ancient-manufacturers-stamp-and-a-paw-print-180986290/ Here’s a video on the find: Here’s an older video on the Roman frontiers in Slovakia:

We have had surprisingly few posts about the Dacian Wars. Below is a good video on the conflicts. The Battles of Tapae were pivotal clashes between the Dacians and Romans during the late 1st century and early 2nd century CE. Here's a summary of the three battles: First Battle of Tapae (86 CE): Occurred during the reign of Roman Emperor Domitian. The Dacians, led by King Duras and their brilliant commander Decebalus, decisively defeated the Romans under Cornelius Fuscus, inflicting heavy casualties and capturing Roman military standards. The defeat prompted Rome to reassess its strategy in dealing with the Dacians. Second Battle of Tapae (88 CE): Fought during Domitian's continued campaigns against Dacia. This time, the Romans under General Tettius Julianus claimed victory, turning the tide against the Dacians. Despite the Roman success, political distractions within the empire led to a temporary peace with Dacia rather than further conquest. Emperor Domitian made a temporary peace with Dacia in 89 CE following the Second Battle of Tapae. Although the Romans had achieved a victory under General Tettius Julianus, Domitian was dealing with other challenges, including internal political unrest and threats along Rome's borders, particularly from Germanic tribes. The peace agreement, often referred to as a foedus, was unusual because Domitian granted favorable terms to the Dacian king Decebalus. Rome agreed to pay subsidies, including annual payments of gold, and provide technical support, such as Roman engineers for strengthening Dacian fortifications. Some saw this treaty in Rome as a humiliation, as it effectively acknowledged Dacia as a semi-independent power rather than subduing it completely. The peace held until Emperor Trajan launched his campaigns to conquer Dacia definitively between 101 and 106 CE. Third Battle of Tapae (101 CE): Took place during the reign of Emperor Trajan, as he sought to conquer Dacia permanently. Trajan’s forces defeated Decebalus, weakening the Dacian resistance and paving the way for further Roman advances in the Second Dacian War (105–106 CE). This battle marked a turning point leading to Dacia’s eventual annexation into the Roman Empire. Trajan's Column is a monumental piece of Roman art and architecture, completed in 113 CE. It commemorates Emperor Trajan's victory in Dacia. Trajan's Column is a marble monument that stands 35 meters (115 feet) tall, including the base and the statue of Trajan, which was later replaced by a statue of Saint Peter. Its intricate spiral relief stretches approximately 200 meters when unrolled and contains 155 scenes. The relief features over 2,600 human figures, along with animals, landscapes, and architectural elements. A walk up Trajan’s column: A gilded statue of Trajan was once on top of the column

While Octavian (future Augustus) attended the Battle of Philippi, where the conspirators were defeated, his contributions were significantly less impactful than Antony's leadership. At that time, Agrippa, Octavian's future military advisor, was still relatively unknown and had not yet established himself as a trusted leader of Octavian's forces. Agrippa was not present at the Battle of Philippi. Let's look at just two of the conspirators: Gaius Cassius Longinus: Cassius was an experienced and skilled general. He gained recognition for his role in the Roman-Parthian War, where he successfully defended Roman territory. After Caesar's assassination, he allied with Brutus to lead the conspirators' armies during the ensuing conflict. Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus was a seasoned military leader and one of Caesar's trusted lieutenants during the Gallic Wars. He made significant contributions to Caesar's campaigns and was later appointed to key commands before betraying Caesar. Despite Caesar's wife's admonitions against attending the fateful Senate meeting, he was persuaded to go by Decimus. These individuals weren't just senators—they were battle-hardened figures who had fought alongside Caesar. Only Marcus Junius Brutus was not known for his military prowess before the Ides of March. (This is the Brutus of Shakespeare's famous but historically inaccurate "Et tu, Brute?" line.)

Here are some photos of the Stonehenge Spring Equinox celebration (March 20, 2025). A couple short videos on the celebration

Here’s a good video on the subject by Professor Roberto Trizio. (English can be used in subtitles.)

Respectfully, many items sold on Amazon are also stolen from brick-and-mortar retailers. I was buying a product from a “reliable source” that was using some strange packaging material. Then I realized they were selling stolen items. Now I try to buy directly from the manufacturer. https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2023/07/06/amazon-sellers-suspended-over-stolen-goods-caught-in-crime-ring.html

Here’s an interesting article describing how the Romans converted the home of the Spartans into a living theme park. The Romans admired the Spartans, especially their militaristic culture. Wealthy Romans and Greeks, including Plutarch and Cicero, visited Sparta to observe its customs and rituals. https://greekreporter.com/2025/03/18/rome-greece-sparta-theme-park/

Nice short videos on the Roman plumbata (or lead-weighted dart). Note in the picture above the late Roman legionnaire has several plumbatae stored in his shield. https://discover.hubpages.com/education/how-effective-was-the-plumbata

Without Antony, Octavian would have lost decisively early on. It was only later that his military advisor and confidant, Agrippa, grew into the more confident military mastermind.

Here’s an interesting virtual video on Caesar’s final fateful route to his assassination.

There have been a few threads about the colorful painting of buildings in the ancient world. Recent research “reveals that many Greco-Roman sculptures were not only painted, draped in clothing, and adorned with jewelry, but were even doused in perfume and fragrant substances.” https://archaeology.org/news/2025/03/17/ancient-greek-statues-smelled-of-perfume/ https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/03/07/the-sensory-experience-of-ancient-greek-and-roman-statues/

A Semi-Subterranean Jewish Ritual Bath Found in the Ancient Roman Port of Ostia Antica

Archaeologists have discovered the oldest Jewish ritual bath (mikvah) found outside the Middle East during their excavations of the ancient port city of Ostia Antica in Rome. One particular lamp stands out: it is decorated with a menorah, the seven-branched candelabrum that is one of Judaism’s most recognized symbols. The bottom of the lamp also depicts a lulav, a palm frond used in the Jewish festival of Sukkot. A recreation of ancient Ostia Antica Oldest Jewish Ritual Bath Found Near Rome Changes History