UNRV Ancient Roman Empire History

Roman Empire by C.M. Wells Another guest book review by community forum member Ursus… Wells offers a general survey of the Roman Empire from the rise of Augusts to the reign of Caracalla. The book is novel in adopting an alternating view between center-periphery relations. That is to say, one chapter will adhere to the [...]

Tiberius Upon the death of Augustus, Tiberius Claudius Nero stood as the last logical choice in a long and tumultuous line of potential heirs. In 14 AD, at the age of 56, Tiberius ascended to Imperial power as a somewhat uncertain figure. The continuation and success of the newly created Principate rested squarely on the [...]

Christian Persecution As Christianity gained a foothold in the consciousness of the ancient world, the Roman authorities initially reacted slowly. As Jewish Christian migrations, and certainly the work of Peter, brought the new cult to Rome, it became largely identified with the Jews. As the Jews, with their one god concept, and refusal to adopt [...]

Pontus The northern coast of modern Turkey, with its shores on the Black Sea (Pontus Euxinus) actually came into existence as the country of Pontus (meaning Sea) in contemporary Roman times. Originally part of that more central territory called Cappadocia, the region which was naturally secured by surrounding mountain ranges and the sea, was created [...]

Roman Consuls 1st Century AD The list of consuls continues into the imperial period, where the office was more symbolic than one of power.

Augustus and the Empire The contribution of Augustus to the consolidation and stabilization of the ?Empire? from a governing and military perspective was immense, but the legacy of the man is perhaps best exemplified in his contribution to public works and infrastructure. While Augustus was a necessity to the success of the new imperial government, [...]

Christianity History The emergence of Christianity in the Roman Empire was based on many factors, and its spread was an indication of massive social upheaval and changing environments. This article is intended to be a look at the history of the Christian religion, and not an ideological exploration of its mystical foundation. The concept of [...]

Arminius and Teutoburg Wald Arminius (b. circa 18 BC, d. circa 21 AD, assumed to be the Latinized form of Hermann) was the chief of the Germanic Cherusci tribe during the later stages of Augustus? reign. Prior to the great revolt which pushed Rome permanently out of the Germanic interior, and after the conquests of [...]

Consuls of Rome Continues the consul list from the Late Republic to the Imperial Age…

Conquest of Germania After the fall of the Republic and Octavian?s ascension as Augustus, the new imperial military policy dictated several expansionist efforts. Of these, the policy in Germania included pushing the frontier borders from the Rhine (Rhenus) to the deep German interior, which may have been desired along the Elbe (Albis) River. Germanic incursions [...]

Pompeii: The Last Day On August 24, AD 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted with horrifying force, showering Pompeii with ash, smoke and rock. The city lay undisturbed under several feet of volcanic debris for more than 1,500 years. Now, with the help of eyewitness accounts, dramatic reenactments, expert investigations and incredible CGI, follow a cast of [...]

Pax Romana The Pax Romana, or Roman Peace, is a Latin term referring to the Empire in its glorified prime. From the end of the Republican civil wars, beginning with the ascension of Augustus in 27 BC, this era in Roman history lasted until 180 AD and the death of Marcus Aurelius. Though the use [...]

An exciting new mega production from the creators of ‘Band of Brothers’ is in the works by HBO and the BBC… Ciaran Hinds, Kevin McKidd and Lindsay Duncan head a cast of top British acting talent in Rome, the BBC/HBO blockbuster epic drama series that chronicles the rise of the ancient Roman Empire through the [...]