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Rise of MariusJune 30, 2004Fighting through political and social burdens placed on him, the Rise of Marius was as much a result of his own ambition as a direct indication of the social and political condition in Rome. First elected Consul in 107 BC, Marius would serve an unprecedented 7 terms in the Republic's highest office. Roman RoadsJune 29, 2004Among other things, the development of Roman Roads was one of the key factors for the growth and domination of the Roman Empire. Archaeological NewsJune 28, 2004Some interesting archaeological news about the Roman Empire: Gaius MariusJune 27, 2004As Rome moved into its Late Roman Republic period, another man would have a profound effect. Gaius Marius was a general and politician who changed the fabric of the Roman political system, while going down as one of the great generals in Roman History. Roman ClothingJune 26, 2004As a continuation of the Roman Daily Life section, today's update is a chapter on Ancient Roman Clothing. Roman clothing, including the toga, performed an additional function beyond the obvious. Roman clothes were worn specifically according to social class or title, and there were many limitations on who could wear what garment, where and when. Roman Weights and MeasuresJune 25, 2004Many units of Roman Weights and Measures in the modern western world (UK and USA), have a direct relationship dating back to the Romans. The modern mile, pound (lb for libra) and ounce (uncia) are all directly traceable. Some other similarities, such as the width of rail road rails, is said to correspond directly to groove marks left in Roman roads, but this theory is widely debated. Archaeological NewsJune 24, 2004Some interesting archaeological news about the Roman Empire: Julian CalendarJune 23, 2004When Julius Caesar consolidated Roman power in the mid 1st century BC, he had an opportunity to correct the long neglected Roman Calendar. Consulting Egyptian astronomers, Caesar altered the Republican calendar by basing it on a solar, rather than lunar, cycle. Adding 10 days to the permanent calendar and a couple of months at the end of 46 BC, the new Julian Calendar was back in sync with the seasons. Additionally a calendar chart is also available Julian Calendar Overview. Roman HousesJune 22, 2004A feature on Roman Houses has been added to our Architecture section. "The private houses of the Romans were relatively modest and simple building prior to the conquest of the East, when vast wealth began to pour into the city. Many houses of immense size were then erected, adorned with columns, paintings, statues, and costly works of art. Some of these houses are said to have cost as much as two million denarii..." Archaeological NewsJune 21, 2004Some interesting archaeological news about the Roman Empire: Roman MonthsJune 20, 2004As part of the Roman Calendar section, we've added a chart describing the Roman Months of the year. In the 2 to 3 millenia since the foundation of the Roman Calendar little has changed in our modern system. Aside from the renaming of July and Augustus, the modern western months are the same today as when the calendar first began. War with JugurthaJune 19, 2004Coming out of the social turmoil with the Gracchi Brothers, an old ally in Numidia sought to take advantage of Rome's internal troubles. Initially Roman complacency in the War with Jugurtha led to success for the Numidian King. The entry of Gaius Marius would not only put an end to Jugurtha, but continue the changes in Roman politics started by the Gracchi. Roman Days of the WeekJune 18, 2004Several days of the week in the modern calendar still refer back their original names in Latin. Roman Days of the Week explains the names of the days used by the ancient Romans, their modern equivalent and the source history. Roman History TimelineJune 17, 2004The next part of our Roman History Timeline has been completed. We added today the Timeline for the 1st Century AD. The rest will follow soon. Early Roman CalendarJune 16, 2004The first table under the Roman Calendar Section has been added. The table shows the Early Roman Calendar prior to the reforms of Caesar. While the eary roman calendar was functional, it was commonly off by months at a time. Archaeological NewsJune 15, 2004Some interesting archaeological news about the Roman Empire: Gaius GracchusJune 14, 2004The younger of the Brothers Gracchi, Gaius Gracchus was an even more influential reformer than his older brother. He played a prominent role in the Late Republic, and was a key figure in the political turmoil that would eventually lead to the fall of the Republic, and establishment of empire. Roman CalendarJune 13, 2004The first of several pages relating to the Roman Calendar has been added. Prior to the reforms of Caesar, while the calendar was functional, it was commonly off by months at a time. In addition to this review of the the Republican calendar, we will be adding pages on the Julian Calendar, days of the week, months of the year and names of days in the month. Vestal VirginsJune 12, 2004The priestesses of the goddess Vesta were among the few women in ancient Rome who could play a pivotal role in the Religion of state. The Vestal Virgins, among other important duties, were responsible for the important assignment of keeping the sacred fire, in the Temple of Vesta, always alight. Archaeological NewsJune 11, 2004Some interesting archaeological news about the Roman Empire: Pontifex MaximusJune 10, 2004The head of the state religion of the Roman Empire was the Pontifex Maximus. The pax deorum, or the 'peace with the gods' was his responsibility along with interpreting omens, controlling and keeping the official calendar, and the oversight of funerals. One of the oldest still existing official offices in the world, the Roman Catholic Pope is still referred to as the Pontifex Maximus, nearly 3,000 years after is was instituted. Tiberius GracchusJune 09, 2004Tiberius Gracchus was a champion of Plebeian rights in the Late Roman Republic. A member of the populares party, Tiberius' political tactics are considered one of the first major steps towards the fall of the Republic. Social discord led to his rise and his eventual assassination at the hands of the Senate. A day at a Roman Settlement in NoricumJune 08, 2004On Sunday I went to the Archäologischer Park Magdalensberg where the last event of the II. Kärntner Römerwoche (Carinthian Romans) took place. The museum of Carinthia was the host of this "Roman week" trying to promote their culturural heritage sites, in Teurnia, Magdalensberg and the Landesmuseum. "Magdalensberg" (one could translate it as "mountain of magdalena" which is about 20 minutes north of Klagenfurt and is situated just below the top of the hill (1000 m or 3200 ft). This very unusual place for a roman settlement, (far away from the major roads, high up and difficult to reach is a mystery that hasn't yet been completely solved... The Gracchi BrothersJune 07, 2004Emerging from wars in the east and with Carthage, the fledgling Roman Empire entered a new stage of its history in the Late Republic. Social strife and corruption led to an abrupt change in the Roman political system. The Gracchi Brothers were among the first to step onto this new stage of political transformation and set off a chain of events that would eventually lead directly to the Fall of the Republic. Archaeological NewsJune 06, 2004Some interesting archaeological news about the Roman Empire: The Late RepublicJune 05, 2004The end of the Punic Wars ushered in a brand new age in Roman and world history. The Late Roman Republic was the beginning stage of Empire, and the social and political systems began to be shaken to the core. The Late Republic saw the emergence of several of Roman and world history's most influential names. The Gracchi brothers, Gaius Marius, Lucius Cornelius Sulla, Pompey, Crassus, Cicero and Gaius Julius Caesar all took center stage. Roman History TimelineJune 04, 2004The next part of our Roman History Timeline has been completed. We added today the Roman Timeline of the 1st Century BC. This period is especially interesting as it saw the end of the Roman Republic. Archaeological NewsJune 03, 2004Some interesting archaeological news about the Roman Empire: Roman NumeralsJune 02, 2004An article on Roman Numerals has been added. The article features a brief background on Roman Numerals as well as a chart indicating their values compared to modern (Arabic) numbers. Third Punic WarJune 01, 2004Closing out the Punic Wars and Expansion chapter, we inevitably come to the Third Punic War. Despite Roman victory in the Second War, relations between Rome and Carthage continued to be strained over the next half century. Developments in the east and in Spain kept Rome's focus away from Africa, allowing Carthage to slowly rebuild an economic foundation. By the mid 2nd Century BC the call of "Carthago Delende Est" (Carthage must be destroyed), by Cato the Censor, was the rallying cry that finally bought Carthage to its knees. |
