guy

Here is an excellent video on dining, especially “fast food,” in Ancient Rome. Here is a previous post of the ancient fast food counter found in Pompeii:

Another article on the discovery: https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/archaeologists-reveal-2000-year-old-sewage-system-in-sw-turkey/news/amp?__twitter_impression=true (Thank you @RomanMiddleEast for posting this article.)

Another wonderful example of the water and waste management of the Empire: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture/2-000-year-old-roman-sewage-system-unearthed-in-southwestern-turkey/2363624

An interesting find in the western province of Aydin, Turkey: Nice video in first link: https://m.yenisafak.com/en/video-gallery/news/archaeologists-unearth-statue-of-roman-emperor-hadrian-in-ancient-city-in-turkey-3580050 https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hurriyetdailynews.com/amp/roman-emperors-statue-discovered-in-aydin-167808 https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-roman-emperor-hadrian-head-statue-aydin

Another article on the discovery: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/roman-villa-dating-1ad-could-21540520

I’ll check out these episodes later. This is a British comedy series made in 1969-1970 and set in ancient Pompeii. All the episodes can be found on YouTube.

(Phryne is said to be the model of this later Roman copy of an earlier Greek statue of Aphrodite of Knidos) This appears to be an example the “halo effect.”(Unfortunately, I would not stand a chance with Phryne’s jury.): https://greekreporter.com/2021/09/12/the-ancient-greek-model-who-disrobed-for-her-freedom/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_effect

An interesting find usually seen only in the fall and now more exposed during a drought. https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/amp/ancient-city-comes-to-light-as-water-recedes-167766

We sometimes forget the great impact that Greek culture has had on both Ancient Rome and modern Italy. The white olive (leucolea) is almost exclusively found in Southern Italy, especially the region of Calabria. This was one of many contributions of the ancient Greeks to Italy. The Greek influence can still be seen (as well as heard and tasted) in Southern Italy today. https://greekreporter.com/2021/09/10/the-unique-ancient-tree-that-produces-pearly-white-olives/ This man from Calabria proudly shows his white olive plant. (I have Italian family, despite not speaking a word of English, who feel that it is easier to understand English than understand someone who speaks with a Calabrese dialect.)

I may need to check some of these movies out: https://www.google.com/amp/s/screenrant.com/top-best-movies-set-ancient-rome-ranked-imdb/amp/

The poem inscribed on a cameo on a medallion of glass paste (2nd to 3rd century CE) found in a sarcophagus around the neck of a deceased young woman in what is now Hungary. Credit: Aquincum Museum This report is interesting for at least a couple of reasons: If I read this report correctly, it appears that the above poem was inscribed on cameos that were mass-produced for distribution throughout the Roman Empire. This might be an example of pop culture (in the form of poetry) intended for the entire Empire. Also, this poem may represent an early form of “stressed” poetry. https://greekreporter.com/2021/09/09/pop-culture-ancient-greece/

It looks to be an interesting find. I am looking for more information: I found this paragraph the most intriguing. Boy, they sure liked their fish sauce. 🤮 https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2021/09/roman-finds-in-limes-area-in-utrecht-unique-in-the-world/ Good review video of the Romans in the Netherlands:

This looks like a wonderful exhibit of frescos from Pompeii. I hope the exhibit will be held elsewhere, also. https://freepressokc.com/okcmoa-presenting-exclusive-us-look-at-the-painters-of-pompeii/

Excavation continues in Carlisle, uncovering a Roman bathhouse. An interesting tile was unearthed: https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/19564644.roman-dig-carlisle-cricket-club-uncovers-tiles-rare-stamp/ Summary: It’s unknown whether Septimius Severus ever visited Carlisle. The extant of the Imperial reach was impressive, however. Carlisle is 95 miles (140 km) south of Glasgow and eight miles south of the Scottish border. Time lapse of recent excavation:

The bubonic plague is caused by Yersinia pestis (or simply Y. pestis). These murderous bacteria enter the body usually after an infected flea bite. I always wondered why the bubonic plague had less an impact on Ancient Rome than it did on the medieval world despite its presence for thousands of years. The later medieval form of the bubonic plague was called the “Black Death.” It was estimated to have killed at least a third (to maybe more than half) of the European population between 1347-1352. Strangely, we do not have good documentation of the bubonic plague in the ancient world till the Justinian plague (541-549 AD). Genetic analysis of the Y. pestis microbe that caused the Justinian plague was proven to be genetically different from the Y. pestis microbe of the later medieval bubonic plague. The first article below suggests that a less virulent form of the infection existed for thousands of years before even the Justinian Plague. Interestingly, before the Justinian Plague, the Greek physician Rufus of Ephesus (70-110 AD) briefly commented on a plague similar to the later plagues caused by Y. pestis (but apparently less deadly and contagious). (See below for more information about Rufus of Ephesus.) Summary: Although the bubonic plague has existed for thousands of years, the genetically different strains of Yersinia pestis had different degrees of virulence and, therefore, different societal impacts. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210629161338.htm https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plague_of_Justinian https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31303627/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23658525/

Most of us assume that the departure point for the Claudian Roman invasion of Britain in 43 AD was Boulogne (a costal city in Northern France). Valkenburg, Netherlands (near the coast) has been well known for its Roman archaeology since the 1930s. There was a recognized auxiliary fort at Valkenburg. (Well-preserved barrel wood found at the Valkenburg auxiliary fort—CCAEAUGGER: Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanic) New findings, however, have suggested a more permanent Roman fortress for legionnaires. Many aspects of a fortress (towers, gates, ramparts, etc.) have been discovered. Also discovered was glassware, suspected barracks, and two granaries that suggested a legionary presence (and not merely a temporary auxiliary force camp). The Valkenburg area also includes a burial site of more than 600 burials. Some theorize that Valkenburg was not only a defensive position, but also a possible launching point for a British Invasion. (Valkenburg is close to the Dutch city of Leiden.) Summary: The evidence suggests that Valkenburg was of greater significance for the Roman military than previously suspected. Only future research will determine whether the Roman fortress there was a launching point for the Claudian invasion of Britain. https://the-past.com/feature/a-legionary-fortress-at-valkenburg-discovering-a-springboard-for-the-conquest-of-britannia/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_conquest_of_Britain#Crossing_and_landing Great podcast on the newest findings at Valkenburg and their possible significance: https://anchor.fm/the-past/episodes/Valkenburgs-Roman-fortress-a-springboard-for-the-conquest-of-Britannia-e153nm0

This was an interesting find from a few years back. These ancient Byzantine vials dated from before at least 640 AD. Presumably, they were used for pharmaceutical purposes. https://greekreporter.com/2021/09/05/anti-depressant-medicine-dating-back-1300-years-discovered-in-ancient-greek-city/ https://www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2016/10/19/ancient-medication-bottles-found-turkey/ Summary: Although a wonderful find, I think some of the conclusions are incorrect: It was ridiculous to claim that the methadone compound found was for depression and the phenanthrene was for heart disease. Methadone is an analgesic used for pain relief. It also helps with opioid withdraw. (It may help with the depression associated with opioid addiction, however). Phenanthrene is used to make dyes, pesticides, and plastics. It is probably toxic to the heart (and other organs). Neither are useful for the indications cited in the articles. Nevertheless, this was an exciting discovery that requires further assessment.

An interesting array of “remedies” for this common and universal challenge: https://greekreporter.com/2021/09/05/ancient-greek-aphrodisiacs/

More insight into the Alderney excavations: (Artist depiction of Roman fortress at Alderney) https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-guernsey-58449666 We have heard previous news of this finding:

(Charlton Heston as Michelangelo in the 1965 movie “The Agony and the Ecstasy”) Although short by today’s standards, Michelangelo was not unusually short for his times. I always imagined this giant of artistic geniuses being a giant of a man, however. https://www.livescience.com/michelangelo-very-short-shoes-reveal.html Nice video about the Sistine Chapel, one of Michelangelo’s greatest creations:

Here’s another article on the find: https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/09/ancient-warship-rams-discovered-at-the-site-of-the-battle-of-the-egadi-islands/141290?amp

This changes my appreciate for the extent of Roman development in Wales. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-58427470

An interesting find in Israel from earlier this year: https://m.jpost.com/archaeology/altar-to-greek-god-found-in-wall-of-byzantine-church-raises-questions-650825/amp https://www.timesofisrael.com/2000-years-ago-a-believer-came-hundreds-of-miles-to-erect-an-altar-at-banias/amp/

Interesting point. Strabo discusses the attack on the distant Kush by General Petronius: Here is a great new video on Kush and contact with Rome. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Kush