guy

Had to look up airborne LiDAR: Airborne LiDAR is installed on a helicopter or drone for collecting data. As soon as it's activated, Airborne LiDAR emits light towards the ground surface, which returns to the sensor immediately after hitting the object, giving an exact measurement of its distance. I had to look up the geography: (Source: Wikipedia) Archaeology news: New Roman army sites aerial scans have revealed the empire’s bloodiest battles (Image: www.romanarmy.eu) http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/roman-military-camps-spain-09180.html https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1375743/archaeology-news-roman-army-sites-aerial-scans-river-duero-battles-evg Aerial photographs of the camp of Tortolondro (black) (A), the Roman road (white) and the camp (black) https://phys.org/news/2020-12-discovery-roman-army-sites-clues.html \ Summary: Use of modern technology (from satellite imagery to DNA studies) will continue to enhance our understanding of ancient Rome. guy also known as gaius Here's a good video about the Roman Conquest in Spain from Ancient Warfare podcast:

This is an article from last year with a video from earlier this year: Two rooms in a vibrantly painted house were recently discovered by archaeologists in Regio V, a previously unexcavated part of ancient Pompeii. https://www.archaeology.org/issues/344-1907/features/7714-pompeii-new-investigations Below is an interesting video of the new finds in Pompeii. Although the video is narrated in Italian, there are English subtitles: Summary: If the article is correct that almost a third of Pompeii has not been excavated, there are sure to be more interesting finds in the years to come. guy also known as guy

Being religiously ignorant, I had to look this one up: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gethsemane A 2000-year-old bath discovered alongside remains of a 1500-years-old Byzantine Church https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/ritual-bath-from-time-of-jesus-found-at-gethsemane-in-jerusalem-652826 An Interesting video on the find: Summary: Although I am a religious skeptic, I recognize that some of the best research and archaeological scholarship is motivated by an interest in religion. guy also known as gaius

Thank you for reading my post and commenting. You bring up a good point. I agree that the Tacitus quote is a comment on Boudica's alleged atrocities. I doubt Tacitus, who is respected both for the accuracy of his historical accounts and for his sympathy toward defeated enemies, would have fabricated that account of Boudica's savage behavior. He was even willing to comment on Roman atrocities that occurred more than two decades later at a different battle: "They plunder, they slaughter, and they steal: this they falsely name Empire, and where they make a wasteland, they call it peace." (Tacitus puts this quote in the mouth of a possibly mythical chieftain of the Caledonian Confederacy named Calgacus. Agricola, his father-in-law, defeated this possibly mythical chieftain at the battle of Mons Graupius in northern Scotland in AD 83 or 84.) I, therefore, agree that it might be surprising that he did not also elaborate on the alleged Roman reprisals around the time of Boudica's defeat in 60 AD. He wrote his account of Boudica several decades after Boudica's defeat, however. As a good historian, maybe he did not want to depend on poorly documented events that occurred many years previously in a place located in the far reaches of the Empire.

The dig continued throughout lockdown with archaeologists observing social distancing https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-55337814 Summary: It would have been surprising if the Romans (not much known for giving amnesty to undefeated enemies) didn't take reprisals after the Boudica revolt. Reportedly, Boudica had killed tens of thousands of Romans and allies (possibly 70,000, according to Tacitus) before she was finally defeated. guy also known as gaius

An interesting article, but this statement came to my attention: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/archaeology-london-spitalfields-woman-mola-b1774473.html Summary: If this garment was truly made from silk from China, this is a fascinating find. Not only does this confirm the trade between China and Rome (possibly through many intermediaries), it is surprising to find that this trade between China and Britain persisted even in the last throes of The Roman Empire during the fourth century.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/amman-roman-baths-crematorium-jordan-b1774179.html Summary: Admittedly, I am not great at geography. I am surprised to read that Amman is not only the largest city and capital of Jordan, it is the largest city in the Levant region and the sixth largest city in the Arab world. It has a population of more than four million people. guy also known as gaius

I don't know anything about ancient oil lamps, but I found this article interesting: https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/ancient-oil-lamp-workshop-sheds-light-on-roman-era-jews-and-christians-652056 Summary: These new discoveries of ancient artifacts help me to better understand the ancient world better. Honestly, I had never appreciated the importance of oil lamps on the ancient world. Here's a nice review video on some ancient oil lamps: guy also known as gaius

These are interesting "before and after" photos: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9043235/Made-Chelsea-19th-century-photos-fashionable-London-district-changed.html Summary: This is fascinating photographic evidence of the changes since the 1870s of Chelsea, London. Be sure to swipe across the pictures to see the "before and after" images.. guy also known as gaius

The Roman Villa at Chedwoth was discovered in 1864 by a gamekeeper and his dog in search of a prey. The mosaics were well preserved and have been examined for years. Recent radiocarbon testing has surprised investigators, however: It was created in the mid-400s or later. This is at least a generation or two after the Romans had officially left Britain.: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/mosaic-chedworth-gloucestershire-roman-britain-national-trust-b1768780.html https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-55256415 Summary: Evidence continues to mount that the "fall of Rome" was a long process, not a singular event. Despite the lack of official presence in Britain after 410 AD, Roman influence continued to impact local British culture for generations. It will be interesting to see how radiocarbon testing, DNA analysis, and other more modern scientific tools continue to reshape our view of ancient Roman history.

https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/12/07/greek-illyrian-helmet-croatia/ https://www.greecehighdefinition.com/blog/rare-ancient-greek-illyrian-helmet-found-in-croatia Summary: I don't know anything about ancient helmets and nothing about this Greek Illyrian helmet, presumably from the Archaic period of ancient Greece. Below is a nice review of the Greek helmets https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/greek-illyrian-helmet-0014638?qt-quicktabs=0 guy also known as gaius

Although I have been to Italy and Holland numerous times, I've never been to Britain. (I think the language difference might be a little too difficult for me to handle. LOL) I guess from the Vindolanda website that the outdoor garden and archaeological site are open, but the indoor museum will be closed till at least next spring due to COVID-19 restrictions. https://www.vindolanda.com/Listing/Category/bookyourvisit I would like to visit Vindolanda someday ... maybe the next time I'm in Europe on my way to Italy. guy also known as gaius

I know this is a video from almost three years ago (2018), but this is the first time I've seen it: Summary: We can never been certain of the exact function of this gloves, but it is amazing that these pieces of ancient leather have been preserved. guy also known as gaius

This is a nice video review of Roman Britain. This 90 minute video is exceptional at about 60 min when it reviews the slow collapse of the Empire beginning with Caracalla (211 AD).

As it appears we are close to a vaccine, it's think about nice potential vacation sites: https://www.thecollector.com/roman-coliseums/ Although there might not be ten intact coliseums outside of Rome to visit, I am interested in visiting some of these sites, especially the coliseum in Pula, Croatia. if I were to visit Croatia, I would certainly want to visit Diocletian's Palace is Split, Croatia, about 320 miles ( 520 Km) away. guy also known as gaius

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-of-natural-history/2020/11/24/our-thanksgiving-menu-has-lost-few-crops/ Summary: It's interesting to see how diet has changed with the disappearance of certain crops. I wonder if we have yet to discover "lost" ancient crops.

In Medieval England, one of the few ways for a woman to get a divorce was to prove her husband's impotence. https://narratively.com/the-distinguished-medieval-penis-investigators/ Summary: Times have changed, for sure. I guess there were no quickie Las Vegas divorces or "little blue pills" back then. Well, things could be worse: You could always die from the Bubonic Plague. (Thanks to Lapham's Quarterly for bringing this article to my attention) Additional information: https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/till-death-us-part-divorce-medieval-england/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8953225/Lavish-home-indulgent-Emperor-Caligula-discovered-Rome.html A water pipe with the name of Claudius, which means that not only Caligula but also his successor was linked with the building Fragments of pottery taken from the site, which are set to be included in a new museum that's being built Summary: This is an older story with a recent press release. The new museum could be a wonderful source for Caligula and early Roman empire history. One never knows what they can still find during routine digging in Rome.

The past stunk. Scientists want you to be able to smell it As part of a project called Odeuropa, researchers from six countries are bringing historical European smells, including the Battle of Waterloo, to modern noses. "Smells shape our experience of the world." https://www.cnet.com/news/the-past-stunk-scientists-want-to-resurrect-its-smells-including-war/

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55029538 Summary: I'm not sure that we can know the relationship of the pair or even be certain of their social statuses. It is, nevertheless, another interesting find at Pompeii. guy also known as gaius

That's a good point. Septimius Severus's two rivals for the throne were Clodius Albinus and Pescennius Niger. After the murder of Pertinax, the regional legions each supported their own candidates for emperor: Clodius Albinus was proclaimed emperor by the legions of Britain and Hispania. Pescennius Niger was proclaimed emperor by the legions of Syria. Septimius Severus was proclaimed emperor by the troops of Illyricum and Pannonia, both of which are the closest to Bulgaria. It is more likely, therefore, this Bulgarian city would have naturally supported Septimius Severus or, at least, have remained neutral. Thank you for your comments.

On a recently decoded inscription found on a restored stele in Bulgaria, Emperor Septimius Severus thanks the residents for a "donation" of 700,000 denarii. This most probably represents a bribe to regain Septimius's favor after choosing a losing Emperor (Pertinax) in a struggle to gain control of the empire: http://archaeologyinbulgaria.com/2020/11/12/roman-emperor-lied-thanked-city-for-bribe-reveals-newly-decoded-inscription-from-ancient-nicopolis-ad-istrum-in-bulgaria/ The newly read stone inscription of a letter by Roman Emperors Septimius Severus and Caracalla to the residents of the city of Nicopolis ad Istrum in today’s Northern Bulgaria reveals bribery, political corruption and lies in the Roman Empire. Summary: A city had to hedge its bets during any violent regime change (which would become increasingly common during the third century AD). Choosing the wrong emperor to support, however, could have disastrous results. This Bulgarian city had to quickly make amends for their wrong choice by a generous "donation." guy also known as gaius

Interesting article https://www.livescience.com/scents-old-europe-history.html I could only imagine the wide range of smells in ancient Rome. The pungent odor from factories producing the fermented fish sauce garum would be bracing, for example. (Fortunately, the end product was much milder in smell, even enticing.) The pungent odor of garlic, onions, and fish would fill the air. The odor of dead animals and excrement in the streets would have been sickly. Needless to say, body and oral hygiene would have been poor. Fortunately, masking odors of flowers and spices would waft through the air. Burning incense from temples would give a pleasant break to the stench in the air. Incense would also be used to cover the pervasive reek of public cremations, as well as the smell of death from animals or prisoners in the amphitheater. guy also known as gaius

Here is an interesting review of Edward Champlin's "Nero." According to this review (I believe written by Professor Mary Beard), Champlin reassess Nero's legacy and possibly rehabilitates his reputation. https://erenow.net/ancient/confronting-the-classics-traditions-adventures-and-innovations/16.php Another revisionist history of Nero is John Drinkwater's "Nero: Emperor and Court." The book was described as an attempt to show Nero as a reluctant and insecure ruler who preferred to show his real or imagined skills in art and sport. Then, of course, Nero's supposed treatment of the Christians has to be explained by Drinkwater: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/new-nicer-nero-history-roman-emperor-180975776/ These are two more interesting books to add to the historical revisionism of Nero.