Ancient Rome

Politics & Society

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Opinion

Trump is no Caesar, but the republic is collapsing

There’s a parallel between ancient Rome and America’s modern republic and it doesn’t bode well for the future of the US

Arts & Culture

The secret to living a longer, healthier life – according to the ancients

The Ancient Greeks and Romans had a lot to say about longevity and good health – some of it remains true today

Arts & Culture

The archaeology of olive oil in the ancient world

Olive oil is liquid gold. It’s been precious to humans for almost eight thousand years – used in everything from birth to death

Politics & Society

Resolving contract disputes uses principles both ancient and cosmopolitan

All societies make agreements, so contract law is the perfect site to discover intercultural, cross-generational notions of justice

Arts & Culture

Beauty, wine and death in the ancient world

A new exhibition gives insights into the hidden lives of women, children, slaves and artisans of the ancient Graeco-Roman world

Arts & Culture

Happy ancient Roman Mother’s Day

No breakfast in bed and a bouquet, on Roman Mother’s Day, women served their slaves and offered flowers to a goddess

Arts & Culture

All rivers lead to Rome

Never mind the roads, rivers were the arteries of the Roman Empire, carrying food, fuel and livestock along important ancient trade routes

Arts & Culture

What was it like to be a child in the Roman Empire?

As the researcher for a new children’s novel set in Ancient Roman times, archaeologist Tamara Lewit found herself hunting for answers to questions she’d never considered

Arts & Culture

Volcanic winter and pandemic pandemonium

A terrible onslaught of bubonic plague in the sixth century abruptly ended Emperor Justinian’s dream of reunifying the Roman empire and caused massive geopolitical upheaval

Arts & Culture

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Q&A

How plague helped make Rome a superpower

Epidemics haunt history, but at a time of COVID-19 it pays to remember they shape history too, as happened in 212 BC at Syracuse