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Roman Timeline 3rd Century ADAugust 31, 2004The Roman Timeline 3rd Century AD covers the turbulent period between 200 and 300 AD. Beginning somewhat stable under Severus, this century in Roman History, broke down into a long series of military emperors, rebellions and enemy invasions. Near the end of the century it finally begins to stabilize under Diocletion, setting the stage for the rise of Constantine. Caesar's PoliticsAugust 30, 2004Caesar returned to Rome in 73 BC as a member of the college of Pontiffs and immediately began working on his political career. He lived well beyond his means, and started down a course of extravagance, both for political gain and personal pleasure. From expensive slaves to collectible arts, Caesar spared no expense in creating an image of an elite member of Roman society. Within a year he was elected as a military tribune. Archaeological NewsAugust 29, 2004Some interesting news regarding the Roman Empire Caesar in AsiaAugust 28, 2004After Sulla pardoned Caesar, he still thought it a wise idea to avoid potentially falling back into disfavor. Caesar, at 20 years old, left Rome for Asia in 80 BC. He next joined the staff of the Asian governor, Praetor Marcus Minucius Thermus, and got an advance start on his military and political career. While in service to Thermus, he was sent on a diplomatic mission to King Nicomedes IV of Bithynia with the purpose of raising a fleet... Roman WritersAugust 27, 2004As part of the Literature section, we've begun adding information regarding Roman Writers.. These pages, for now, are really reference points to find available works by the various authors, but may be updated into full biographies in the future. Julius CaesarAugust 26, 2004As Julius Caesar aged into his Early Years, the political climate of Rome was in turmoil. By 88 BC, the rivalry between Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla was heating into open civil war. Attempts by Marius supporters to overturn Sulla’s command against Mithridates VI of Pontus, prompted Sulla’s subsequent march on Rome. Sulla took control of the city by force, and many of Marius’ supporters were put to the sword. Caesar, despite his relation to Marius, was still a boy and for the time being, was excused from any potential danger. CiliciaAugust 25, 2004Western interest in the mountainous and coastal region of modern Turkey came with the conflicts between the Hellenistic World and the Persian Empire. Alexander the Great first brought western influence with his conquest in 333 BC but while this influence was lasting, Macedonian control was not. Upon Alexander’s death 10 years later in 323 BC, the Macedonian conquests disintegrated into factional kingdoms under the rule of his generals, and Cilicia was no different. Gaius Julius CaesarAugust 24, 2004The Fall of the Republic chapter begins with a detailed look at the life of Gaius Julius Caesar. One of the most influential leaders in history, the career of Caesar shaped the History of Rome and the world. This 'biographical' review of Caesar will be displayed in many parts, detailing his early life, political career, conquest of Gaul, the civil wars, and his lasting effect. Fall of the Roman RepublicAugust 23, 2004In this chapter, the Fall of the Roman Republic the lives and impact of Caesar, Octavian, Antonius (Antony) and even Cleopatra, along with the continuing stories of men like Pompey, Crassus and Cicero will be examined. The Fall of the Republic was more than a single man or event. It was a culmination of several individual actions or achievements, coupled with social conditions that weighed heavily on Roman society. Additionally, massive and rapid expansion from Rome’s foundation as a fledgling city 700 years earlier until the mid 1st century BC, created monumental holes in the political and governing ability of the Senate. Periods of stability were mixed in with those of near collapse while powerful generals or inciters of the Roman mob jockeyed for position. Archaeological NewsAugust 22, 2004Some interesting news regarding the Roman Empire Cataline and the Catalinarian ConspiracyAugust 21, 2004A nemesis to Cicero and a key political figure in the 60’s BC was L. Sergius Catilina. Like Crassus, Cataline profited enormously from the proscriptions of Sulla during his dictatorship, but Cataline was notorious for his brutality and unlawful methods. While a definite villain of the Late Republican period, he was also the victim of Cicero’s eloquent attacks, which certainly did little to commend him either with his ancient peers or in modern review... AegyptusAugust 20, 2004The latest addition to our Roman Province section is Aegyptus. The history of Egypt from the conquest of Alexander through the Ptolemic Dynasty and the emergence of direct Roman rule is covered. Marcus Tullius CiceroAugust 19, 2004Marcus Tullius Cicero was born in 106 BC, hailing from a local equestrian family in Arpinum. Both Cicero and Pompey, who became associates at a very young age, struggled to detach themselves from the Marian clan that was in the foremost position in the region. While both followed the footsteps of Marius to become novus homo (new men) in the Roman Senate, they did so in completely different fashion. Pompey, of course, chose the military route, paying little regard to the traditional steps of the political ladder (cursus honorum). Cicero, on the other hand, was the idyllic Republican conservative. From the moment he arrived in Rome, his career was spent adhering to strict principals of Senatorial conservatism.... Pompey in the EastAugust 18, 2004After his victory over Mithridates, the opportunities for Pompey in the East were enormous. Armenia, Cilicia, Pontus, Bithynia, Mesopotamia and Judaea all fell under Roman sway with Pompey's campaigns. Even the powerful Parthians had to take notice of Rome's achievements. Roman Timeline 2nd Century ADAugust 17, 2004The Roman Timeline 2nd Century AD has been added to our timeline section. This period of Roman History starts with the Dacian Wars of Trajan and end with Septimius Severus affirming his victory in the civil wars that followed the death of Commodus. Third Mithridatic WarAugust 16, 2004The Third Mithridatic War against Mithridates VI, King of Pontus, was really a continuation of the second. Lucullus, the Roman legate in charge of carrying out the war effort, was semi-successful, but ultimately unable to win a final victory. By 67 BC, he had been replaced by the Consul Glabrio, through the efforts of the tribune Gabinius. Pompey later took command and truly earned his cognomen, Magnus. Archaeological NewsAugust 15, 2004Some interesting news regarding the Roman Empire Pompey and the Cilician PiratesAugust 14, 2004Pompey arrived in his territorial command late in 67 BC with a large contingent of ships. His fleet was so large he was able to split the command between 13 naval legates responsible for various sections of the Mediterranean. 60 ships remained under his direct command, which he used as a mobile task force to flush out pirate activity and drive them into the territorial fleets of his commanders. Within 3 months, Cilician Pirates activity on the western Mediterranean was virtually wiped out, and limited to the far east. Pompey the GreatAugust 13, 2004Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great) was born in 106 BC in the northern Italian town of Picenum. Though not a native Roman family, the Pompeys were moderately successful at making inroads into Senate seats. His father, Pompey Strabo, was elected consul in 89 BC, and was an accomplished general who served Rome in the Marsic Social War, as well as the civil wars of Marius and Sulla. By the age of 17, Pompey was an active participant in his father’s campaigns and was busily building a foundation for his own military career.... Trouble in the EastAugust 12, 2004During and after the gladiator slave rebellion of Spartacus there was impending Trouble in the East. The menace of Cilician Pirates, resistance to Roman rule on Crete, and Rome's old nemesis Mithridates VI of Pontus remained a threat. Following the joint consulship of Crassus and Pompey, Pompey would eventually be granted unsual imperium to deal with the problems and bring the east under stable Roman authority. Map of SicilyAugust 11, 2004Due 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 as a whole. One more click will take you to the expanded and detailed Map of Sicily. We hope you enjoy the new maps. The new province maps won't be available for sale in printed form for the time being. Demand for specific maps likely won't justify the expensive printing costs, but in the future we may package them as a complete set available on CD. Regardless, keep watching for more map additions. Defeat of SpartacusAugust 10, 2004With 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. A day at the Roman Town AguntumAugust 09, 2004On the last weekend in July, I was invited by a friend (Monika) (who volunteers there as part of her archaeological studies) to visit her at the Archaeological Park Aguntum near Lienz (Tyrol). Next to the museum, which shelters a selection of Aguntum findings, is also a vast excavation area where archaeologists are busy digging (one can actually watch them at their work.) Aguntum is a mysterious place indeed, archaeologists are baffled by several findings and haven`t found an answer to all the questions yet... ThraciaAugust 08, 2004Roman Province of Thracia Third Servile WarAugust 07, 2004As 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. SpartacusAugust 06, 2004By 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 mass influx of slaves from provincial conquests, the numbers of these combatants soared. It was typical for large schools to house many gladiators either in training or for permanent residence. One such school in Capua became the scene of one of the most potent slave revolts in history. Spartacus was the gladiator who led it. Marcus Licinius CrassusAugust 05, 2004The 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. Pompey in SpainAugust 04, 2004As 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. Archaeological NewsAugust 03, 2004Some interesting news regarding the Roman Empire Sertorius and SpainAugust 02, 2004As 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 RepublicAugust 01, 2004Decline of the Roman Republic |
