guy

At Pompeii, frescoes in a suspected banquet hall have been recently discovered. https://www.artforum.com/news/roman-frescoes-uncovered-in-banquet-hall-pompeii-552190/

After a long absence, water has returned to the Baths of Caracalla https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/italy-water-returns-to-romes-baths-of-caracalla.html Here is a wonderful older 3D view of the baths:

The road discovered is thought to be a crossroads with the Via Domitia, which was the Roman road that linked Italy with Hispania through Southern France. The remains were discovered between the two roads: In Ancient Rome the cemeteries were traditionally located outside of the religious boundaries (pomerium) of towns and cities. Tombs and elaborate burial monuments lined the roadsides. Burial graves and monuments along the Appian Way near Rome

Here is an article further describing the Roman finds as well as the Roman road uncovered with the finds in Nîmes, France: https://www.inrap.fr/des-tombes-et-des-buchers-en-bord-de-voies-romaines-nimes-gard-17952#

Thank you for reading my post. Here’s an interview with the author:

Roman glassware have been uncovered in the city of Nîmes, France. Excavations in the area have found cremation pyres and burial sites from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD. Nîmes, France was known as the Roman city Nemausus (see link below). https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/archaeologists-uncover-exquisite-roman-glassware-in-nimes/151466 https://www.livius.org/articles/place/nemausus-nimes/

A boy and his mother discovered a possible gold Roman bracelet near the village of Pagham in West Sussex, England. Pagham is situated near the Romano-British town of Noviomagus Reginorum (modern Chichester). Recently, there was news (see post below) about plans to reconstruct a temple to Minerva which is believed to have existed in that area. The bracelet dates back to the first century AD. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/ornate-roman-bracelet-found-near-pagham/151368

There have been previous threads about infections that ravaged ancient Egypt. Recent studies of the remains of mummies have shown interesting findings: Of the mummies studied: 65% revealed schistosomiasis* 40% headlice 22% falciparum malaria 10% leishmaniasis From the articles, it appears that 31 mummies were examined for study. *Schistosomiasis is spread by contaminated water, with parasites released by infected freshwater snails. Even today, about 250 million people have been infected with schistosomiasis. Each year, schistosomiasis causes many thousands of deaths, possibly as many as 200,000 deaths. How Ancient Civilizations Were Burdened by their Parasites - Fifteen Eighty Four | Cambridge University Press Parasites in Past Civilizations and Their Impact upon Health (cambridgeblog.org) Child suffering from schistosomiasis Parasites in ancient Egypt and Nubia: Malaria, schistosomiasis and the pharaohs - ScienceDirect Parasitic Worms Plagued These Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs (popularmechanics.com) https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/04/study-reveals-disease-landscape-of-ancient-egypt/151312

A new archaeological pathway through the heart of Rome is planned. Although convenient for the casual tourist, I think it will further disfigure the already-diminished ancient footprint of Ancient Rome. https://www.euronews.com/culture/2024/04/03/rome-unveils-plans-for-a-new-archaeological-path-through-the-heart-of-city

A Roman villa has been discovered in Grove, a village in Oxfordshire in Southeast England. Interestingly, numerous small tightly-rolled lead scrolls (possible curse tablets) and miniature hammers have been recovered. These could be votive offerings. A complex brickwork floor was part of the findings https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/03/28/style/roman-villa-development-oxfordshire-intl-scli-scn https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/richly-decorated-roman-villa-with-curse-tablets-and-tiny-axes-unearthed-in-england https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clej69yx206o.amp

Prehistoric elephant hunting using spears. Early Homo erectus may not have used spears but may have driven the giant animals into pit traps where they could be killed with clubs and handaxes. (Image credit: Illustration by Dana Ackerfeld) I can’t imagine eating elephant meat but 2 million years ago in modern Upper Galilee, it is thought humans hunted and butchered elephants. There are many quarries in the region where flint was used to make weapons and cutting tools. These quarries were located near water sources likely used by migrating elephant herds. “The authors looked at the ancient migration routes of elephants — suggested by earlier studies that considered the landscape and fossilized bones.” ”Excavations yielded a butchered elephant skull associated with basalt and flint artifacts, including hand axes.” https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/ancient-quarries-in-israel-reveal-where-homo-erectus-hunted-and-butchered-elephants https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11759-024-09491-y

Gold coin of Marcus Aurelius in the Ho Chi Minh City museum, Vietnam Archaeological discoveries have revealed a robust trade network between Ancient Rome and India. Recent studies also prove a thriving maritime spice trading between India and Asia, including China and Óc Eo, Vietnam, as well as between India and Rome. (See posts below.) Potential maritime Spice trading routes from India to both Rome and Óc Eo, Vietnam The question remains whether ancient Romans had any knowledge of Vietnam. American Professor of Anthropology Nam C Kim from the University of Wisconsin-Madison feels that at least some indirect contact and awareness was possible. (See article below.) Numerous Roman artifacts have been recovered in Óc Eo Vietnam, an important port city and archeological site in Southern Vietnam in the Mekong Delta. (See the coin above.) Claudius Ptolemy (AD 100-170), in “Geography” from his account of distant Asia, describes a port city of “Cattigara” situated at the mouth of the “Cottaris River.” Nam C Kim believes this reference to Cattigara is Óc Eo at the Mekong Delta. (See article below.) https://www.badancient.com/claims/romans-reach-vietnam/ Food historian Giorgio Franchetti also noticed the popularity and similarity of fish sauces in Ancient Rome (garum) with Asian fish sauces such as Vietnam (nuoc mam), Thailand (nam pla) and Japan (gyosho) (see article below). https://amp.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3094604/did-fish-sauce-vietnam-come-ancient-rome-silk-road Entertaining video on evidence of Ancient Rome in Vietnam.

The movie “Gladiator” was made in 2000. Tristan Hughes is a historian and host of the enjoyable podcast “The Ancients.” He does a wonderful job critiquing the movie in the YouTube video below:

Below is the BBC article on the helmet. The conserved helmet with a modern reconstruction Replica based on the original https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-68674319

A man was arrested for his illegal excavations at Philippi (in modern Northern Greece). As a reminder, the Battle of Philippi pitted the forces of the Second Triumvirate (Marc Antony and Octavius) against the forces of the leaders of Julius Caesar’s assassination (Brutus and Cassius) in 42 BCE. The battle resulted in the surrender of the rebel forces and the deaths of Brutus and Cassius. The New Testament records a visit by apostle Paul during his second missionary journey (AD 49 or 50). It is believed that Paul visited the city two other times in AD 56 and 57. https://www.ekathimerini.com/culture/1235064/man-arrested-for-illegal-excavation-at-philippi-archaeological-site/

In Leicestershire in the early 2000s, rusted metallic objects encased in soil were uncovered. Over two decades the artifacts were restored, using 3D scanning. The fragments formed a Roman helmet. Eventually 80% of the helmet (known as the Hallaton Helmet) was restored, allowing a detailed replica. It is a thought that the helmet, along with numerous Roman coins and Iron Age artifacts, were buried within a suspected shrine from around 43 AD. The helmet was ornate and intricately designed, possibly belonging to a high-ranking Roman cavalry officer. The decorations have a wreath “symbolizing military victory and and a scalloping-shaped brow guard displaying a woman’s bust surrounded by animals.” https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/roman-cavalry-helmet-2000-years-old/

A fragment of a Roman-era lamp, dating from the 4th-5th century AD, has been found near an old Roman fort along the Scorpions Ascent, a hiking trail in the desert Arava region south of the Dead Sea and located in the modern Israeli Negev desert. The lamp fragment was found by a student who was on a field trip. The origins of the lamp was Petra. The trail, where the lamp fragment was found, was once an ancient trade route connected to the copper mines in the region. The region was patrolled and secured by Roman soldiers, who manned a series a forts along the route. A similar oil lamp was found in the same location 90 years before (see picture below): https://allisrael.com/a-unique-1600-year-old-roman-oil-lamp-unearthed-by-an-israeli-pupil https://www.timesofisrael.com/teen-hiker-stumbles-on-1600-year-old-roman-oil-lamp/amp/ https://www.edexlive.com/amp/story/news/2024/Mar/27/israel-student-accidentally-discovers-roman-era-lamp-during-school-trip

Interesting article. I know nothing about ancient mythology. I got myself into an ancient rabbit hole, nevertheless, when I realized that the Greek Herakles is different from the Roman Hercules. The article below delves into their differences: http://messagenetcommresearch.com/myths/essays/herakleshercules.html This article emphasizes their similarites: https://ancient-literature.com/heracles-vs-hercules/

A construction site at Pompeii has been uncovered. The archaeologists found working tools, stacked roof tiles, bricks, and heaps of lines and stones (see pictures below). According to the article, archaeologists also found amphorae storage jars thought to be used to ‘quench’ the lime used for plastering. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pompeii-building-site-reveals-ancient-roman-construction-methods-2024-03-25/#:~:text=The archaeologists found working tools,the Massachusetts Institute of Technology https://www.turkiyenewspaper.com/amp/culture/21105 Construction site found at Pompeii reveals details of ancient building techniques – and politics - CBS News

A section of a Roman wall has been uncovered in Aachen, Germany, near the Belgium border. It is thought to have been built after Aachen was overrun by Frankish forces in the third century AD. Roman civil administration collapsed in the area around AD 375. The last Roman coins found in the area are from the time of the Emperor Gratian (AD 375-383). https://arkeonews.net/ancient-roman-3rd-century-defensive-wall-found-in-germany/ http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/69767 https://archaeologymag.com/2024/03/roman-defensive-wall-found-in-aachen-germany/

Gordon: Thanks for the review. I had written about the exhibit a couple of months ago (see post below) but I had no firsthand perspective. Your description makes the exhibit sound better than I had imagined. Thank you, again.

Here is a very thought-provoking video by Sebastian (Maiorianus) concerning the Roman presence and influence in Britain during the late Empire and later. The video was at least partially inspired by the Roman villa found at Chedworth, which was active at least AD 480 (see post below):

No because a reformulated Roman Empire would presuppose a highly-centralized authoritarian central state that could project its power over a multitude of now-independent and autonomous nation states. The European Union (EU) is as close to a “modern Rome” as could be achieved peacefully. Unlike Rome, the European Union is a decentralized state that depends on the member countries to enforce the regulations and policies made by the EU. Unlike Ancient Rome, the EU doesn’t have its own military to impose its will and control over its member states (for example, against those unruly and independent-minded Brits).

Decimation as depicted in the 1964 movie “Fall of the Roman Empire” Discipline was the essential pillar of the Roman Army. Mutinies would be treated harshly, including with decimation. (An excellent old post by Caldrail dealt with Roman mutinies extensively in the post below.) Here is a good video on the subject:

There have been several previous posts about the carnyx: the Celtic instrument and psychological weapon. Below is an excellent article on the carnyx. Scene from the movie “Gladiator” with a carnyx among the barbarians in Germania. https://www.twz.com/the-carnyxs-eerie-cry-struck-fear-into-soldiers-on-antiquitys-battlefields https://www.finestresullarte.info/en/archaeology/outstanding-discovery-in-the-heart-of-rome-a-domus-with-mosaic-decorations-without-comparison