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Vespasian’s reign (AD 69-79) is thought to have been a successful one. Besides his military successes, he was known for his sharp sense of humor. Below is an article that examines this sense of humor: Urinal from Pompeii https://historyofyesterday.com/vespasian-c6efa0939670 https://medium.com/short-history/vespasian-money-doesnt-smell-81ffc8742a25 Here is an excellent article with Vespasian anecdotes that reflect his sense of humor: http://www.jasperburns.com/gasvesp.html

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/roman-remains-ancient-crypt-unearthed-7303014 It will be interesting to see what further discoveries will be made in the area. The nearby Great Witcombe Roman Villa helps to put this find in context of a larger Roman presence in the area:

Underwater archaeology continues to yield new insights into the ancient world. This study, which did chemical and archaeobotanical studies on Roman-era amphorae found in an Italian harbor 90 km south of Rome, showed some interesting results: Microscopic evidence of plant tissue trapped in ancient resin. The authors examined three Roman period amphorae -- wine jars -- from a seabed deposit near the modern harbor of San Felice Circeo, Italy, about 90 km southeast of Rome. A combination of chemical markers, plant tissue residue, and pollen provided evidence of grape derivatives and pine within the jars. The evidence suggests the amphorae were used in both red and white winemaking processes, while the pine was used to create tar for waterproofing the jars and perhaps also flavoring the wine, as has been observed at similar archaeological sites. The grapevine pollen matches wild species from the area, suggesting these winemakers were using local plants, although it remains unclear whether these were domesticated at the time. The pine tar, on the other hand, is non-local, and was likely imported from Calabria or Sicily based on other historical sources. Summary: Although the wine was probably locally produced, the wood tar used for waterproofing of the amphorae was imported from either Sicily or Calabria as suggested by historical records. This study supports the extensive production network that existed in Ancient Rome. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/06/220629150201.htm https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/figures?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0267129

There have been numerous threads on Hadrian in the past (including the most recent on on his travels below). Here is a wonderful video on his relationship with his ill-fated relationship with Antinous and their modern recreations from sculpture.

Recent excavations by a Danish-Italian group have uncovered some interesting finds at Caesar’s Forum in Rome. Studies of glass found at the site, for example, have been traced to the distant sites of the Levant and Egypt. Much of this glass that was used later in antiquity had been recollected and recycled as the supply chain to the city collapsed. There have been other findings, of course: https://the-past.com/feature/digging-caesars-forum-three-thousand-years-of-daily-life-in-rome/ https://heritagesciencejournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40494-022-00729-y https://cas.au.dk/en/cfp/news-events/show/artikel/glass-in-rome-during-the-transition-from-late-antiquity-to-the-early-middle-ages-materials-from-the-forum-of-caesar

The Hatay Archaeological Museum has a wonderful collection of Roman antiquities. Here are some of the fabulous mosaics in its collection:

There continue to be wonderful Roman discoveries in modern Turkey. This discovery is in the southern Turkey of province of Hatay. https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/roman-villa-mosaic-uncovered-in-southern-turkey-during-construction

Here is an excellent short video of the Great Library of Alexandria. It challenges the mythology of the Library’s unique stature in the ancient world. This video was made by Christian apologists; however, it does offer another perspective.

There have been a few posts in the past about Attila the Hun, who was called by fearful Christian Romans the “Scourge of God.” His grave site, along with his triple coffin, remain a mystery, however. https://www.livescience.com/where-is-attila-the-hun-buried https://www.thevintagenews.com/2018/04/19/grave-of-attila-the-hun/amp/?csplit=header&cmp_ab=quantcast The relationship between the Huns and both the Eastern and Western Roman Empires was a complicated one. Here is a good video on the topic:

Those are beautiful coins with significant images. The reverse of the coins are portraits of Augustus’ two grandchildren and heirs who would later die (Gaius and Lucius). The lituus was a crooked wand and is used as a symbol of the augurs who used the lituus to mark out the sky for divination by the flight of birds. The simpulum was a vessel or ladle with a long handle that was used at sacrifices to make libations.

Decebalus (r. AD 87-106) was Rome’s great Dacian enemy. He was also Romania’s great hero who fought the Roman Emperors Domitian and Trajan until his defeat and suicide in AD 106. The king’s sculpture is the tallest rock relief in Europe, measuring 55 m (180 ft) in height and 25 m (82 ft) in width. Here’s a good video on the Dacian conflicts: Decebalus - The Brave One' - Last Mighty King Of Dacian People - Ancient Pages

Publius Vergilius Maro (70-19 BCE), usually called Virgil, was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He is most famous for his epic “Aeneid.” Here is both an article and video discussing whether his work is pro- or anti-Augustan propaganda. https://hisztorycom.wordpress.com/2020/04/29/virgils-aeneid-pro-augustan-propaganda/ https://retrospectjournal.com/2021/10/17/augustan-propaganda-virgil-and-idealism-in-the-aeneid/

Archaeologists assess the find alongside Rob Jones (left), the local man who discovered the artifact. Ian Grant / © Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust The recent news about the Roman lead ingot found in the area was fascinating: In 2020, a large lead ingot, measuring about one and a half feet long and weighing nearly 140 pounds (63 kilograms), was unearthed. The ancient ingot had a cast Latin inscription mentioning Marcus Trebellius Maximus, who was the governor of the province of Britannia from A.D. 63 to 69. https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/06/detectorist-finds-roman-lead-pig-ingot.html?m=1

Wales is increasingly being recognized for its Roman history. The Romans utilized Halkyn Mountain in northeast Wales for lead production. A recent discovery of a small coin hoard confirms Roman activity in the area during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/rare-roman-hoard-dating-back-24346324

Ancient Carthage and the Punic Republic were the Roman Republic’s great rival till 146 BCE. Many of us, however, don’t know about Carthage’s foundation from the Phoenician city of Tyre in 814 BCE. Here is a wonderful background video on the history:

These have been numerous posts on the medicinal value of ancient herbs, including Greek Mountain tea (see below). Here’s a good review of many of those herbs: https://greekreporter.com/2022/06/25/10-greek-herbs-that-will-improve-your-health/

Hadrian. 117-138 CE. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.25 g, 6h). “Travel series” issue. Rome mint. Struck circa 134-138. Laureate bust right, slight drapery / RESTITVTO RI GALLIAE Below are two interesting articles. The first one maps Hadrian’s extensive travels throughout the Empire. The second one delves into the coinage associated with these travels. Hadrian AR Denarius. Rome, 134-138 CE. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P, bare head right / GERMANIA, Germania standing facing, head right, holding spear and shield set on ground. https://brewminate.com/hadrians-travels-around-the-roman-empire/ https://coinweek.com/ancient-coins/coinweek-ancient-coin-series-travels-with-hadrian/

The most complete mummified woolly mammoth in North America has been discovered in Canada. It is thought to be 30,000 years old. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-61936818

“I love the vastness and diversity of Pompeii over the usual tourist favorite of tidy Herculaneum.” I haven’t been to either site, but this article sways me to visit Herculaneum over Pompeii (if I couldn’t visit both). After recently injuring my ankle, I would prefer the less crowded, shadier, and more compact Herculaneum: https://eternalarrival.com/pompeii-vs-herculaneum/

Here's the article by our author colleague Gordon on "The Dogs of War": The Roman Army and their use of Dogs in battle. - GORDON DOHERTY, AUTHOR

(Images from the Getty Villa Museum, California) We have had several previous posts on the dogs (both as pets and working animals) of Ancient Rome. (See below.) Here is a video on that subject:

Thanks for reading my post. Here’s some excellent photos of the ancient tortoise that was also discovered: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61931172.amp

Although most people are familiar with the famous volcano that destroyed Pompeii in AD 79, the earlier devastating earthquake in AD 62 has been forgotten. Below is an article about a villa that was demolished around that time to make way for new construction. Interestingly, a tortoise was also found in the ruins. https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2022/06/24/surprise-at-pompeii-tortoise-with-its-egg-emerge-from-digs_ace99cfe-be36-47ab-b891-1b286d69780d.html https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AD_62_Pompeii_earthquake#:~:text=On 5 February AD 62,and Herculaneum%2C severely damaging them.

The “Gate to Hell” in Hieropolis, Turkey will now be open to the public. It was only rediscovered in 1965 and its “mysteries” explained in 2013: The explanation for this mysterious religious site is fascinating. At the site, healthy animals were led down by priests to the entrance and they died quickly, but the priests who had accompanied them (miraculously) returned unharmed. These “miracles” had geological explanations: Here is a wonderful video on the site: https://greekreporter.com/2022/06/23/ancient-gate-hell-hierapolis/ Hieropolis, Turkey

A nine-foot statue of Hercules sank beneath the waves near the Greek island of Antikythera in the first century BC. The headless ancient Roman sculpture was found in 1900 near the Greek island of Antikythera. It was thought to be intended for a wealthy Roman and sank during the first century of BC. It is thought the head has now been found. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/lost-face-hercules-found-mystery-27298477