UNRV Ancient Roman Empire History

Due to the overwhelming success of Roman Empire Map we were encouraged to expand on this idea and are now beginning to produce highly detailed maps of each province, starting with Sicily. The Sicilia Map page (and each future province map) will show the exact location of the province as it relates to the empire [...]

With the emergence of Crassus as a competent Roman commander against the slave rebellion of Spartacus, the Defeat of Spartacus was only a matter of time. Still, the accomplishments of the gladiator general are still worthy of historical note, despite his victories against inferior Roman commanders in the Third Servile War.

Roman Province of Thracia According to the ancient sources, of which they are limited, the Thracians were considered a primitive race. The mountainous regions were home to various warlike and ferocious tribes while the plains were apparently more peaceable due to Greek contact and influence…. Roman Provinces Province Chronology

As the Republic continued its decline, the slave revolt of Spartacus was turning into open war. The Third Servile War examines the history of Spartacus and his Roman opponent, Marcus Licinius Crassus.

By the 1st century BC, the gladiatorial games were becoming more and more common as a form of entertainment (and mob distraction). As the political system of the Republic unraveled in the late to mid 1st century, hosting gladiator games were a near essential way for politicians to gain enough popularity for election. With the [...]

The most recent addition to the Late Roman Republic chapter, Marcus Licinius Crassus, takes a brief look at one member of the first Triumvirate and his rise to prominence. Continuation of the story will appear in sections on Spartacus and Julius Caesar.

As Sertorius, continued to create problems for the Romans in Spain, the Senate sent there most accomplished young general. Pompey in Spain highlights the campaign of Pompey against the brilliant Sertorius. While Pompey’s success paled in comparison to the enemy, Spain proved a vital learning ground for future operations.

As the Republic slipped into its final Decline, one last bastion of Marian resistance to the post Sulla government remained. Sertorius and Spain was the focus of the Roman military in the 70′s BC.

Decline of the Roman Republic After the death of Sulla in 78 BC, additional and expected power grabs were the result. Unpopular while he was still alive, Sulla?s reforms went under immediate attack without fear of reprisal. Political turmoil was once again the call of the day and various personalities emerged from the restraints of [...]

With his victory in the Civil War, Sulla took complete control of Rome. Sulla the Dictator instituted a blood path of his political enemies, and ruled in a reign of terror. Constitutional reform and the passage of laws put ultimate authority back in the hands of the Roman Senate, but in the climate of the [...]

Continuing our brief series on Roman Medicine, two more pages have been added. Roman Drugs and Pharmaceuticals takes a brief look at the medicines available to the Romans and how they used them. Roman Hospitals provides a historical function of the hospital in the ancient world.

A second march on Rome touched off Sulla’s Civil War. As Cinna?s death reverberated throughout the Roman world, Sulla realized his opportunity to take full advantage. In 83 BC Sulla prepared his 5 legions and left the 2 originally under Fimbria to maintain peace in Asia Minor. In the spring of that year, Sulla crossed [...]

Roman Victory in the Mithridatic War opened the door for Sulla to move on his enemies in Rome.