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Lucius Aelius Sejanus
February 27, 2005
Sejanus
Lucius Aelius Sejanus was the son of Tiberius’ first Praetorian Prefect Strabo. An equestrian by birth, he had connection to the Imperial family almost his entire life, through the service of his father. In 16 AD Strabo was appointed the governorship of Egypt (the highest political position for an Equestrian of the time), and Sejanus moved fluidly into the command of the Praetorian Guard....
Christianity: The Official Religion of the Roman Empire
February 24, 2005
Christianity: The Official Religion of the Roman Empire
While the rise of Christianity to dominate western religion may very well have been inevitable, certain key moments along the way helped secure this position. The arrival of the Constantinian Dynasty was one such moment. In the early 4th century, 306 AD, Constantine ascended as Emperor in the West upon the death of his father Constantius. However, he and his brother-in-law, and co-emperor in the west, Maxentius were bitter rivals....
Germanicus and the Revolt of the Legions
February 21, 2005
Germanicus and the Revolt of the Legions
Almost immediately upon the death of Augustus, and his subsequent deification into the Roman Imperial cult, the legions in Pannonia and Germania began to revolt. The legions that guarded the Rhine and Danube rivers, by the far the largest concentration of military might in the western world, were unhappy with the terms and conditions of their service....
Spread of Christianity
February 19, 2005
Spread of Christianity
Christianity emerged as a leading religion in the Imperial Roman age for a variety of factors. The teachings of Christ and Christian ideology including the concept of equality in the afterlife were obvious draws. However, people gravitated towards anything that would offer a new hope, especially as the stability of the late Empire continued to unravel....
UNRV.com Creative Writing Contest
February 17, 2005
UNRV.com is excited to announce a 'Creative Writing Contest' for Roman era related short stories. There is no reason for the contest other than to promote literature, especially as it relates to historical fiction.
The contest entry period begins February 17, 2005 with submissions required before March 4, 2005.
Entries should be emailed to primuspilus@unrv.com, and must include the writer's name. (Address and additional information will only be required for the presentation of prizes, if applicable). 1 prize per participant, but multiple entries are allowed.
For more details and for prize information... Continue
Roman Empire by C.M. Wells
February 15, 2005
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 traditional focus of Roman history by exploring the political machinations of the imperial court as well as the major military initiatives of the legions during a given time frame. The successive chapter, however, will attempt to provide a broader view of Roman society by highlighting the social and economic affairs of the provinces during the same time frame. In effect the book flips back and forth between the history shaking events of Rome, and the more mundane reality of the territories which Rome controlled....
Tiberius
February 13, 2005
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 shoulders of a man who seemingly had only a partial interest in his own personal participation....
Christian Persecution
February 11, 2005
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 the Roman Caesar worship ideology, were so largely associated with the early Christians, the new cult got off to a very inauspicious start....
Pontus
February 09, 2005
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 in the aftermath of the death of Alexander. Pontus had been largely colonized by Greeks for several centuries prior to the campaigns of Alexander, but his conquests gave Hellenization a firm hold over the inhabitants....
Roman Consuls 1st Century AD
February 07, 2005
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
February 05, 2005
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, veiled as a continuation of Republican ideals, without his other contributions, its continuing success may have been in jeopardy....
Christianity History
February 03, 2005
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 the historical Jesus Christ and the accuracy of the Bible, especially the ‘New Testament', is irrelevant in understanding Christian history....
Arminius and the Battle of Teutoburg Forest
February 01, 2005
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 Drusus and Tiberius, Arminius served as a Roman auxiliary (c. 1 to 6 AD), apparently with much success....
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