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It has been suggested that ancient civilizations utilized psychoactive substances for ritualistic ceremonies and perhaps even for regular recreational purposes. (The scene above is of Cleopatra in the HBO series "Rome.") Here are articles examining evidence of drug use in the ancient world, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240910-the-ancient-history-behind-healing-trauma-with-psychedelics https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8412860/

Here is an interesting video and articles on the siege. The research suggests that the attack was more about preserving the lucrative local balsam (a perfume) industry disrupted by rebels, rather than just conquering dissidents. https://allisrael.com/new-research-points-to-a-different-narrative-of-roman-siege-of-masada https://www.timesofisrael.com/masada-legend-upended-the-romans-came-saw-and-conquered-quickly-and-brutally/?utm_source=The+Weekend+Edition&utm_campaign=weekend-edition-2024-09-08&utm_medium=email Masada legend upended: 'The Romans came, saw and conquered, quickly and brutally' | The Times of Israel

The new series "Those About to Die," which was released earlier this summer, is set in Rome in AD 79. It features Anthony Hopkins as Emperor Vespasian and focuses on the lives of charioteers, gladiators, and the political intrigue of the era. I haven't watched this 10-episode epic, and the reviews have been mixed. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Those_About_to_Die_(TV_series)

We have had numerous posts about the Siege of Masada (AD 72-73), detailing the valiant yet ultimately ill-fated stand of the Jewish Sicarii against the forces of Titus, son of Vespasian, and the formidable Roman Empire. Researchers now estimate that the “siege wall could have been completed by 6,000-8,000 soldiers in less than two weeks, leaving them free to concentrate on building a ramp that ultimately breached the fortress.” This would suggest that “the ramp could have been completed in a month, all pointing to a far shorter timeframe for the siege, which may have lasted two months rather than two years.” https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/sep/04/romans-siege-wall-masada-archaeology-israel https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-roman-archaeology/article/roman-siege-system-of-masada-a-3d-computerized-analysis-of-a-conflict-landscape/32C59BE59ACD3E9A91C95F947DFD271E This research supports Israeli scholar Nachman Ben-Yehuda's controversial proposal (see article below) that the siege lasted a minimum of 4 weeks, at most 9 weeks, and most likely 7 weeks. https://www.deportati.it/static/upl/be/benyehuda,themasadamyth.pdf

This article demonstrates that Wales is increasingly recognized as an important part of Roman Britain. With the use of LiDAR technology, many future discoveries are expected to reveal a vibrant ancient Roman presence in Wales.

Here’s another article about the discovery. Carbon dating indicates that the man was buried between AD 263 and 342 and was approximately 60 years old. https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/1-700-year-old-barbarian-burial-discovered-along-roman-empire-s-frontier-in-germany

Section of the Arch of Constantine damaged by lightning. https://archaeology.org/news/2024/09/04/romes-arch-of-constantine-struck-by-lightning/

The Arch of Constantine in Rome was damaged by a lightning strike earlier this week, but fortunately, the damage appears to be minor. https://news.sky.com/story/amp/romes-ancient-arch-of-constantine-damaged-by-lightning-strike-13209430

A collection of 27 coins from the Roman Republic have been discovered on the island of Pantelleria, located between Sicily and Tunisia. These coins date back to the period from 94 to 74 BCE. Haul of ancient Roman coins discovered in Sicily (msn.com) The island of Pantelleria is located in the Mediterranean Sea, in the Strait of Sicily, and covers an area of 33 square miles (84.5 square kilometers).

Two Roman-era tombs with murals of Greek mythological scenes will be part of an archaeological park open to the public in Ashkelon, Israel. https://www.foxnews.com/world/israel-opens-tombs-ancient-rome-public-first-time-wonderful-paintings.amp

Professor Steven Tuck is widely regarded as a foremost expert in the field of Pompeian archaeology. Here is a scholarly article that analyzes the importance of the famous fresco depicting the distribution of bread in the “House of the Baker” in Pompeii. Samples of carbonized bread were found in Pompeii and Herculaneum: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-roman-archaeology/article/baked-bread-to-the-people-bread-distribution-and-social-and-political-networks-at-pompeii/3DFB7584C1DC81A0A4741EE2F513D427 The wonderful Max Miller makes some ancient Roman bread:

I am surprised that the Romans did not completely subjugate Switzerland until several years after Caesar's death in 44 BCE. Below is a post about a nearby skirmish between the Romans and the local tribe of Raeti in 15 BCE.

LiDAR technology has revealed a Roman campsite at Colm la Runga, a peak in the Graubünden region southwest of Zurich, Switzerland, near the Italian border. Excavations at the site have uncovered artifacts, including an arrowhead. The campsite was further excavated and dated to 20 BCE. When the camp was built, Rome was still fighting to conquer the Swiss Alps. https://amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article291709010.html http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/70981 https://www.gr.ch/DE/Medien/Mitteilungen/MMStaka/2024/Seiten/2024082903.aspx

A seal from the First Temple period has been unearthed in Jerusalem. The First Temple (Solomon’s Temple) stood in Jerusalem from the 10th to 6th centuries BCE. Over 50 seals from this era have reportedly been discovered. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/08/rare-first-temple-period-seal-discovered-in-jerusalem/153341 Background information about Solomon's Temple:

An Alemannic burial chamber was unearthed in Gerstetten, Germany. Radiocarbon dating of a man's rib bone has confirmed the typological dating of the grave goods (including the comb pictured above), indicating that the man died between AD 263 and 342. Note: The Alemanni, who were part of the larger Suebian group, wore a distinct hairstyle called the Suebian knot. This unique hairstyle was a symbol of the Suebi, a confederation of Germanic tribes, and was mentioned by the Roman historian Tacitus in his work "Germania". The Suebian knot involved combing the hair back or sideways and tying it into a knot, which was believed to make the warriors look taller and more imposing on the battlefield. Here is a powerful passage by Ammianus Marcellinus describing the conflict between the Romans led by the future Emperor Julian and the Alemanni led by their king Chnodomar at the battle of Strasbourg in AD 357: 46. But the Allemanni, still charging forward impetuously, strove more and more vigorously, hoping to bear down all opposition by the violence of their fury. Darts, spears, and javelins never ceased; arrows pointed with iron were shot; while at the same time, in hand-to-hand conflict, sword struck sword, breastplates were cloven, and even the wounded, if not quite exhausted with loss of blood, rose up still to deeds of greater daring. 47. In some sense it may be said that the combatants were equal. The Allemanni were the stronger and the taller men; our soldiers by great practice were the more skilful. The one were fierce and savage, the others composed and wary; the one trusted to their courage, the others to their physical strength. 48. Often, indeed, the Roman soldier was beaten down by the weight of his enemy's arms, but he constantly rose again; and then, on the other hand, the barbarian, finding his knees fail under him with fatigue, would rest his left knee on the ground, and even in that position attack his enemy, an act of extreme obstinacy. 49. Presently there sprang forward with sudden vigour a fiery band of nobles, among whom also were the princes of the petty tribes, and, as the common soldiers followed them in great numbers, they burst through our lines, and forced a path for themselves up to the principal legion of the reserve, which was stationed in the centre, in a position called the praetorian camp; and there the soldiery, being in closer array, and in densely serried ranks, stood firm as so many towers, and renewed the battle with increased spirit. And intent upon parrying the blows of the enemy, and covering themselves with their shields as the Mirmillos do, with their drawn swords wounded their antagonists in the sides, which their too vehement impetuosity left unprotected. 50. And thus the barbarians threw away their lives in their struggles for victory, while toiling to break the compact array of our battalions. But still, in spite of the ceaseless slaughter made among them by the Romans, whose courage rose with their success, fresh barbarians succeeded those who fell; and as the frequent groans of the dying were heard, many became panic-stricken, and lost all strength. 51. At last, exhausted by their losses, and having no strength for anything but flight, they sought to escape with all speed by different roads, like as sailors and traders, when the sea rages in a storm, are glad to flee wherever the wind carries them. But any one then present will confess that escape was a matter rather to be wished than hoped for. 52. And the merciful protection of a favourable deity was present on our side, so that our soldiers, now slashing at the backs of the fugitives, and finding their swords so battered that they were insufficient to wound, used the enemy's own javelins, and so slew them. Nor could any one of the pursuers satiate himself enough with their blood, nor allow his hand to weary with slaughter, nor did any one spare a suppliant out of pity. 53. Numbers, therefore, lay on the ground, mortally wounded, imploring instant death as a relief; others, half dead, with failing breath turned their dying eyes to the last enjoyment of the light. Of some the heads were almost cut off by the huge weapons, and merely hung by small strips to their necks; others, again, who had fallen because the ground had been rendered slippery by the blood of their comrades, without themselves receiving any wound, were killed by being smothered in the mass of those who fell over them. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/08/alemannic-chamber-grave-discovered-in-gerstetten/153329

My understanding is Drusus was younger as he was thought (incorrectly) to be the natural son of his future stepfather Augustus. Livia at the time she married Augustus was pregnant with Drusus. Can you supply an ancient source that suggests otherwise. Both Suetonius and Tacitus support the birth order of Tiberius being the oldest. And welcome to UNRV. (This probably should have been posted in another subforum, however, such as “Imperium Romanorum.”)

Historical records indicate that Julius Caesar suffered from seizures. Accounts from ancient sources such as Plutarch and Suetonius depict instances of Caesar experiencing convulsions and fainting spells, which were often interpreted as epileptic seizures. I remember having a previous discussion with Dr. Francesco Galassi when I interviewed him about his book with Dr. Hutan Ashrafian titled "Julius Caesar's Disease: A New Diagnosis." In the book, they propose that Julius Caesar suffered from transient ischemic attacks (also known as TIAs or mini-strokes). I was reading the New York Post, and I came upon this horrifying article from the New York Post that discussed the devastating effects of eating undercooked pork. Above is a picture of a patient's legs riddled with parasites after eating undercooked pork. Cysticercosis is caused by ingesting pork tapeworm eggs, typically through contaminated food, water, or unclean hands. The eggs hatch in the intestines, and the larvae then migrate to various tissues in the body, forming cysts in areas such as the muscles, eyes, and brain. (The pork tapeworm under a microscope.) Disturbing CT scan reveals horrifying parasite infection due to undercooking pork sausages (nypost.com) The primary cause of seizures in adults in developed countries is strokes, followed by traumatic brain injuries and brain tumors. It's important to note that as many as half of the patients in Latin America with adult-onset seizures have evidence of neurocysticercosis, a brain infection caused by Taenia solium. Similarly, a significant proportion of African patients with seizures also show evidence of neurocysticercosis. (Source: Helminth Diseases: Taeniasis and Cysticercosis due to Taenia solium) Pork was a staple in Roman diets, and it's easy to imagine Caesar eating undercooked meat while leading a military force on the move. After conducting a literature review, I have determined that Caesar's seizures were likely caused by an infection resulting from eating undercooked pork. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/taeniasis-cysticercosis

Cats in ancient Egypt were revered and protected. Here is an entertaining article about cats in ancient Egypt mmm. https://the-past.com/feature/the-cat-in-ancient-egypt-hunter-pampered-pet-divine-goddess/

Numerous Roman statues have been discovered headless for various reasons. The neck is a natural weak point, making it common for heads to break off if a statue falls or is moved. Moreover, Romans occasionally decapitated statues for political purposes, such as the practice of "damnatio memoriae," where the likenesses of dishonored emperors were deliberately destroyed. Sculptors often created statues with detachable heads for practical purposes, such as enabling future alterations for new emperors or empresses. Finally, some statues were decapitated by art dealers to sell the heads and bodies separately for profit. https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/why-are-so-many-roman-statues-headless

The Trevi Fountain in Rome is a renowned tourist attraction where visitors toss coins into the fountain, wishing for a future return to Rome. (Approximately 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain daily.) Fewer visitors are aware, however, of the ancient Roman ruins located beneath the fountain, which are open to the public but less frequently visited. It represents the endpoint of the Virgo aqueduct, one of eleven that provided water to ancient Rome. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevi_Fountain

Here's a good video on the Battle of Aegates:

Another battering ram was discovered off the coast of Sicily in the Aegates archipelago. It is believed to be from the Battle of Aegates on 10 March 241 BCE. The Battle of Aegates was the final and deciding battle of the 23-year-long First Punic War (264-241 BCE) between Carthage and Rome. Reportedly, this is the 27th battering ram found from the battle. (The previous post below details earlier recoveries of battering rams from the site.) https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/ancient-ram-naval-battle-between-rome-carthage-found-off-sicily-2024-08-23/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Aegates

Here is an informative article on the coins of Augustus from NGC Ancient coins. Above is a gold coin struck of the Second Triumvirate depicting Octavian and Marc Antony. https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/13182/ngc-ancients-coins-of-augustus/ Here is a nice review of the coins of Augustus by Classical Numismatica:

Here is an interesting article about the ancient understanding of mental health: https://www.livescience.com/health/mind/4-things-ancient-greeks-and-romans-got-right-about-mental-health

A previous post discussed a "Roman bracelet" discovered by a 12-year-old boy in Pagham, West Sussex, England, in 2022 (refer to the post below). Subsequent analysis of the find is intriguing; this “bracelet” was not intended as jewelry for a woman but was likely a military award. https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/boy-finds-roman-era-gold-military-bracelet-while-walking-dog-in-uk https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armilla_(military_decoration)