guy

I didn’t know about that road. Thank you.

Below is a very good video about Abritus, the catastrophic defeat of the Romans by the Goths in AD 251 at Abritus (modern Razgrad, Bulgaria). The Emperor Decius and his son died in the battle. Below is an article about a coin hoard, probably related to the battle.

(I am unable to respond directly to your question, Pompieus, so I opened a new thread.) Caesar's assassination took place at the Curia of Pompey, a temporary meeting hall for Roman senators after the usual Senate building, Curia on the Comitium, had burned down. Maybe the lictors weren't allowed in the Curia. (I assumed the lictors were permitted in the Curia, but for whatever reason, Caesar could not gather them before going.) Or possibly this temporary Senate Hall didn't have enough space for the extra lictors. Or maybe the assassination took everyone off guard, including the lictors. Good question, however. Confirmed: Curia of Pompey, where Julius Caesar was killed, was built in three phases | Ars Technica

Four scales from a type of armor called lorica squamata were found at Roma Magna (Cavoran) near Hadrian’s Wall. A previous post discussed a reassembled lorica squamata from Turkey (see below). https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/07/major-findings-at-roman-magna-excavation/152509 Location of Carvoran Roman fort (Magna) in Northumberland near Hadrian’s Wall

A stone wall and earthwork have been discovered in South-central Calabria, measuring 2.7 km (1.6 miles). Evidence of a Roman fossa (defensive ditch) and agger (embankment) has also been found. Studies suggest that Roman general Marcus Licinius Crassus constructed it in 71 BCE to contain the slave revolt led by Spartacus. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/06/archaeologists-find-roman-defensive-wall-built-to-trap-spartacus/152490

In Aswan, Egypt, 36 tombs have been discovered. Each tomb contained 30-40 mummies. Many of the tombs had been accessible to new mummies over a 900-year period. It is believed that some tombs contained family members. The large number of tombs and mummies has led to Aswan being called 'The City of the Dead.' It will be interesting to see what additional genomic studies will reveal, including causes of death and comorbidities, as well as possible familial relationships among the mummies. https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/chilling-city-dead-more-300-33134426 Archaeologists Shocked By the Mummy Contents of a Coffin After Discovering 30 New Egyptian Tombs (msn.com)

In Rennes, France, a small Roman statuette of Venus had been discovered last year (see previous post below). This city is located in Northwest France. Recently, archaeologists have uncovered a Gallo-Roman sanctuary from the third century AD, belonging to the Gallic tribe Redones. Before being subjugated, the tribe had allied itself with the Gallic fighter Vercingetorix during the Battle of Alesia in 52 BCE. https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2024/06/the-great-gallo-roman-sanctuary-of-the-redones-unearthed-in-rennes/

While excavating a civilian settlement on the outskirts of a Roman military base in Bavaria, researchers found the remnants of a leather Roman shoe. The settlement dates between AD 60 and 135. X-ray studies concluded that the shoe was a legionary soldier’s hobnailed sandal. https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/2000-year-old-roman-military-sandal-with-nails-for-traction-found-in-germany

Please message Peter (the director of this site) at Peter5673 ; he should be able to help you. If not, contact me. guy

Here’s an excellent video on the find by Tristan Hughes. Although the armor is no longer on display at the British Museum, this video is very informative and educational:

Archaeologists have conducted initial studies on 33 tombs from the Greco-Roman period that were unearthed near Aswan, Egypt. Their research has revealed that 30-40% of the examined remains belonged to infants, children, or adolescents. The analysis of the mummies uncovered indications of "anemia, malnutrition, respiratory illnesses, tuberculosis, and osteoporosis." https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/06/greco-roman-era-tombs-found-west-of-aswan/152422 Note: There is no indication of genomic studies being done, which would likely reflect the endemic malarial infection.

A Roman laundry facility (fullonica) was discovered during recent construction in Rome near Vatican City, dating from the 1st to 2nd century AD. The excavations have revealed tile floors and washing tubs. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article289272850.html https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/dirty-laundry-ancient-washroom-dating-roman-empire-uncovered-vatican-italy

Fragments of Roman pottery, believed to date from the 5th century AD and of African origin, have been discovered in a cave in the Pyrenees mountains in Catalonia, Spain. Artifacts from the Bronze Age were also found. https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2024/06/a-cave-in-the-pyrenees-was-used-as-a-refuge-during-the-fall-of-the-western-roman-empire/

Thank you for reminding me that I had previously read the book. It had been such a long time that I had forgotten. I discovered extensive notes I had made in the book. The book is chock-full of anecdotes and historical references. I appreciated the numerous medical references and unique insights into Roman life. Several paragraphs discussed the different types of Roman kisses and public displays of attraction. Allegedly, Emperor Tiberius banned public kissing to curb the transmission of herpes, for example. The collection of epitaphs described is interesting: some are humorous and sarcastic, while others are romantic and moving. My only criticism of the book is its lack of footnotes, which I often rely on for additional research. I recommend this book highly.

A 1,500-year-old Roman armor has been restored. It is the only complete lorica squamata ever found. The armor was discovered in 2020 at the ancient city of Satala, Turkey. The picture below shows the armor soon after it was discovered, encased in dirt. https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/amazing-1500-year-old-roman-armor-restored-to-former-glory/ Some background information of the legionary fortress of Satala, near the modern city of Sadak, Turkey: https://www.livius.org/articles/place/satala-sadak/ Quick reminder of the types of Ancient armor: Lorica Segmentata (plate armor) Lorica Hamata (chain mail) Lorica Squamata (scale armor) Hastati Pectorale (heart protector) Byzantine Klivanion (lamellar armor) Byzantine Kadavion (padded gambeson) Location of the discovery

Is the book you're referring to "The Reach of Rome: A Journey Through the Lands of the Ancient Empire, Following a Coin" by Alberto Angela?

During an excavation in Carmona, Southern Spain in 2019, an intact reddish liquid was found in an urn. A study showed that it was likely white wine. Wine was often buried with food and water to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. The wine was discovered in one of the niches (L-8) of the mausoleum and could date back to the 1st or 2nd century AD. Below is a picture of the urn with the reddish liquid https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352409X24002645 https://m.jpost.com/archaeology/article-807136 There have been many previous posts about Roman wines:

Six intact Roman pots, dating back to the first or second century AD, were discovered during a community dig last summer. They will be displayed, and it is believed that some of the pottery may have come from France. https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/archaeological-dig-at-chester-house-unearths-fascinating-roman-discovery-as-university-of-leicester-student-finds-french-pots-4668121 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq551ye8dgqo

An ancient sarcophagus, estimated to be 3,500 years old, was discovered in Minya, Egypt. It features an image that bears a striking resemblance to Marge Simpson from the TV series "The Simpsons." https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/egypt-predicted-the-simpsons-3-500-years-ago-marge-simpson-depiction-appears-on-mummy-sarcophagus/ar-BB1oru4A#:~:text=A mummy's sarcophagus that was recently dug up,Marge Simpson%2C according to the New York Post. Archaeologists make huge discovery inside 3,500-year-old Egyptian mummy's sarcophagus (msn.com)

Between AD 350-353, Rome faced instability and rebellion. In pursuit of greater autonomy and in response to growing Christian intolerance, the Jews in Israel rebelled against Roman rule during this period of Roman weakness. This uprising, known as the Gallus Revolt, was directed against Constantius Gallus, the brother-in-law of Emperor Constantius II. The rebellion was ultimately suppressed by General Ursicinus, acting on behalf of Gallus. A hoard of coins dating back to the Gallus Revolt in AD 351-352 has been discovered in Lod, Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/ancient-lod-coin-hoard-reveals-details-of-little-known-4th-century-jewish-uprising/amp/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_revolt_against_Constantius_Gallus

This technical article discusses the discovery of what is believed to be Tyrian purple on the island of Aegina (shown above). The findings have led researchers to believe that a purple dye production workshop was on the island. Chemical studies on the die remnants support the theory that this pigment was derived from snails, not plants. This would support the idea that similar to Tyrian die, the pigment was derived from snails and not from plants. The discovery of almost 2000 shells from the Hexaplex genus, the source of Tyrian dye, further confirms the theory that this was a workshop for producing Tyrian dye. https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/colourant-chemistry-identifies-ancient-greek-workshop-for-tyrian-purple/4019652.article Archaeologists Find 3,600-Year-Old Site Making Ancient World's Prized Color (msn.com)

Modern-day Serbia is the birthplace of numerous Roman Emperors, with at least 16 originating from this region, ranking it second after Italy. Viminacium, a prominent Roman city, served as a significant military camp and the capital of Moesia Superior, now part of modern Serbia. At its zenith, it was estimated to house at least 45,000 inhabitants. The city likely featured a hippodrome, forum, palace, temples, an amphitheater, aqueducts, and baths. Archaeological excavations have recently focused on the Roman city of Viminacium. A triumphal arch, announced late last year, has been discovered in the city and attributed to Emperor Caracalla from the third century AD. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/serbian-archaeologists-unearth-roman-triumphal-arch-2024-01-23/

The color purple has long been a symbol of power and wealth in ancient civilizations (see post below). Recently, a purple-dye production workshop was unearthed on the Greek island of Aegina, dating back to the second millennium BCE. In ancient times, the color purple symbolized wealth, power, and royalty, largely due to Tyrian purple dye, produced by the Phoenicians in the city of Tyre during the Bronze Age. This dye was extracted from the secretions of mollusks like the spiny dye-murex and the banded dye-murex, found in the eastern Mediterranean and off Morocco's coast. The production process was laborious and complex, requiring up to 12,000 mollusks for just one gram of dye. The recipe was a closely guarded secret, involving the salting and fermenting of the snails' mucous for three days, followed by cooking in pots made of lead or tin. Owing to its costly and intricate production, the dye was exclusively used by the most affluent, such as royalty, priests, and nobility. https://www.sci.news/archaeology/purple-dye-workshop-greek-island-aegina-13015.html

Artifacts possibly associated with cult rituals have been discovered at the Archaeological Park of Ostia Antica, Rome's ancient port. Numerous artifacts, dating back to the late 1st and 2nd centuries AD, were unearthed while draining a well. They were remarkably preserved due to the oxygen-deficient mud in which they were submerged. https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2024/06/rare-artifacts-and-remains-of-ritual-meals-found-in-a-well-at-ostia-antica-in-front-of-the-temple-of-hercules/#:~:text=The finding of burnt bones,in honor of the deity.

After genomic studies of ancient horses, it is now believed that humans first started riding horses about 4,200 years ago. It is thought that all domestic horses can trace their origins back to the Western Russian steppes from the 3rd millennium BCE. https://cosmosmagazine.com/history/archaeology/horse-riding-4200-years-ago/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07597-5