Jump to content
UNRV Ancient Roman Empire Forums

All Activity

This stream auto-updates

  1. Today
  2. Cavalry charges are always frequently shown as terrifying in general history books, movies, TV, video games, and fantasy novels. Even accurate historical accounts mentions the ground having an earthquake and things moving in slow motion as you stand with your legs shaking but stuck still on the ground due to fear. However I borrowed a book from the library today on Medieval Warfare, and on the Battle of Hasting it described the Norman Knights charges against the Anglo-Saxon shieldwall as something so terrifying that the Norman knights "displayed a most legendary courage very rarely seen in the early Medieval battlefield" and mentions several times how the Norman knights almost routed. In addition the book has some battles during the fall of the Roman Empire and the years following it where the last of the Roman Equites and Patricians fought against impossible odds that would have "made brave men flee" as they made desperate attempts to fend off Germanic tribes using their cavalry or to hold onto far away territory. It mentions in Britannia how typical Roman cavalry would hesitate to charge even disorganized Celtic warbands wandering the countryside especially in forests and swamps and it took the Equites, the most elite of the Roman Army's horsemen and often coming from Rome's aristocracy, to be able to hunt down these disorganized local bandits. And of course the book praises the Germanic horse warriors in its Rome sections especially after the final Sack of Rome where it was the horsewarriors of the Barbarians who would be the "hammer" of the Catholic Church as it was bringing stability into Europe during the Dark Ages. Especially the Frankish heavy cavalry who would become the basis of the Medieval Knight and the book mentions the Catholic Church's honoring the Frankish horse warriors as the "bravest" of the Church's military and who often took the most difficult and scariest tasks of guarding the Church's laymen throughout Europe. I am curious. Nowadays cavalry men especially heavily armored and armed ones such as knights and samurai are often described as being the most terrifying force on the battlefield and since they were so armoured and trained, they had the least chance of dying in war. Modern internet discussion make it sound like being a knight was a favorable position where you're most likely to come back home alive and camera portrayal of knights in movies and TV from a first person perspective show cavalry charges feeling high and mighty especially since the enemies look smaller as the cameramen follows the path of the knights charging and often shows infantry getting slaughtered early on and than retreating within 30 minutes. Modern cavalry charges are portrayed as being so invincible you don't even need to know how to fight but only know how to ride a horse and you can just follow along because victory practically guaranteed. I am wondering if it was scary at all to attack even disorganized rabble random robbers on a group of horse? I watched Dragonheart today and the movie opens up with knights trying to put down poorly armed peasants. Despite the knights killing a lot of peasants while on horse, they suffered pretty significant casualties especially after the peasants rallied up from the initial charge and surrounded the 50 knights. Some of the knights actually fled the battle when the peasants counterattacked and surrounded them in the process and they managed to surround the king and jump him by themselves. While the knights ultimately won the battle, the king was killed in the process in a brutal manner as peasants were stabbing him with pitchforks on the ground. In addition they even managed to surround the Prince (who was watching the battle from a distance), and the Prince got wounded in an accident. The whole battle was pretty terrifying even though the knights ultimately won esp when the peasants were swarming the king. In addition in Total War its common even against disorganized militia caught in an ambush (like say sending scouts hidden in the wounds to attack them from their unprotected flanks) for cavalry men to lose morale especially after a prolonged fight to flee (in particular if the cavalry men aren't elites like Templars). So this makes me curious. Despite how much of Hollywood and public education school books describe how easy the position of cavalry charges are and how its significant militia stood up to them, is actually charging a group of armed men something that takes guts? Even if they are disorganized individualist fighters like barbarian celts in Britain or angry peasants in a riot? I mean seeing the Dragonheart scene and Total War confirms how terrifying Hastings must have been for knights!
  3. Yesterday
  4. A suspected Roman lime kiln has been found in Gloucester. A woman’s grave has been found in the area, radiocarbon dated from AD 226-336. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2dew1d26xjo https://archaeologymag.com/2025/05/roman-limekiln-and-settlement-discovered-in-barnwood/ These lime kilns were used for the production of quicklime, the crucial ingredient that that was used for making the durable concrete seen throughout the Roman Empire.
  5. Researchers have announced evidence of what may been a suspected family’s attempt to escape Vesuvius by blocking the door with a bed (see photos). Near the doorway researchers found the remains of at least four people, including one child. These findings were at the House of Helle and Phrixus in Pompeii. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2025/05/study-tells-of-familys-terrifying-final-moments-at-roman-pompeii/155126 https://greekreporter.com/2025/05/02/pompeii-final-moments-house-helle-phrixus/
  6. Last week
  7. Here is a revision of a post from last summer about studies done on excavations found at a settlement near a Roman fort in Bavaria at Oberstimm, Germany. (The fort is thought to have been in use from AD 60 to 130.) The X-ray studies of the suspected sandal fragments (pictured above) showed that the shoe had well-preserved nails and was, in fact, a hob-nailed military sandal (pictured below). Below is recreation of a Roman caliga (a hobnailed Roman-boot worn by the Roman legionaries) https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/ancient-roman-sandals-germany/ https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/2000-year-old-roman-military-sandal-with-nails-for-traction-found-in-germany# https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligae Previous post about a suspected prostitute’s shoe:
  8. Here is an interesting video from an architect’s perspective about the planning of modern London, influenced by Roman Londinium.
  9. That's quite an important factor, Guy. I'm pretty sure (from the top of my head) that several Roman generals were forced to fall upon their sword for failures too. So Devotio could potentially be seen not as 'life or death', but 'execution and ignominy or heroic death in battle'!
  10. My blog article on the bloody and world-changing religious shifts of the Late Roman Empire: https://www.gordondoherty.co.uk/.../the-old-gods-shall-die To quote Horace: “The wise man ought to bear the name of madman, the just of unjust, if they should pursue virtue herself with disproportionate zeal.” Painting by Anthonis Van Dyke, 1619.
  11. Decapitation was a local ritual linked to Iron Age culture in Britannia, who gathered heads of the enemy as war trophies (some have claimed it was a trend introduced by gladiators from the Balkan provinces). It was pretty gruesome, because skeletal remains show gladiators heads were hacked off rather than cut by a clean stroke. Other execution rituals were used elsewhere in the Roman Empire.
  12. Below is evidence that gladiatorial combat between humans and lions may have occurred in Roman York. An analysis of bite marks found on a Roman skeleton, believed to be that of a gladiator, has been announced. The bite marks are thought to be consistent with a lion bite. The skeleton was discovered in a Roman cemetery among 82 well-built males. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423164221.htm#google_vignette https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/bite-marks-on-ancient-skeleton-reveal-first-physical-evidence-of-roman-gladiators-fighting-lions-180986505/ Below is a post discussing possible evidence of lions being used in executions in Britain.
  13. Ever heard of the Bockerley Dyke in southern England? Nope. I confess this was a new one to me as well, though I was aware that the region has many earthworks of a defensive or boundary nature. What we have here is evidence of dramatic times in England's past. Thanks to Paul Whitewick for his research and video documentary.
  14. We previously posted about the Roman temple complex at Baalbek, Lebanon. Here is another interesting video of the Roman ruins. Here's some background information: Baalbek, located in the Beqaa Valley of Lebanon, is a repository of ancient history and architecture. During the Roman era, it was known as Heliopolis, or "City of the Sun," and functioned as a significant religious and cultural hub. The site is renowned for its magnificent Roman temple complex, which includes the Temple of Jupiter, the Temple of Bacchus, and the Temple of Venus. These structures exemplify the splendor of Roman engineering, characterized by towering columns and intricate carvings. The Temple of Jupiter, for instance, is surrounded by fifty-four massive columns, some of the largest in the world. The Temple of Bacchus is exceptionally well-preserved and adorned with exquisite carvings that reflect the artistry of the Roman Empire.
  15. Recent excavations at Vindolanda have uncovered a miniature phallus pendant. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2025/04/roman-phallus-found-at-frontier-fortress/155092#google_vignette There have been other phallus sightings at Vindolanda:
  16. Earlier
  17. Interesting read. Is this act of "Devotio" a matter of perspective? If a general knowingly leads a futile charge against the enemy, would that be considered an act of "Devotio"? I suppose this would be better than being executed for incompetence. The Carthaginians famously crucified their generals who failed. Carthage had a reputation for holding its military leaders accountable, sometimes to extreme measures. One notable example is Hanno, executed after his failure during the Mercenary War. Another is Hasdrubal, who faced execution following a disastrous campaign in Sicily during the First Punic War. More recently, British Admiral Byng was executed. Tasked with relieving a besieged British garrison at Minorca during the Seven Years' War, his fleet engaged the French but suffered significant damage. Byng decided to retreat to Gibraltar to repair his ships, leaving Minorca to fall to the French. This decision sparked outrage in Britain, and Byng was court-martialed for failing to "do his utmost" to prevent the loss of Minorca. He was sentenced to death and executed by firing squad on March 14, 1757.
  18. A study of the DNA remains from Phoenician graves showed that most culturally Phoenician people “had no Levantine ancestry.” The results indicated that the Phoenicians were a mixture of Mediterranean populations, primarily from Sicily, Greece, the islands of the Aegean, and North Africa. The Carthaginians were originally a Phoenician colony in Tunisia that evolved into an independent empire. https://www.science.org/content/article/most-phoenicians-did-not-come-land-canaan-challenging-biblical-assumptions
  19. Hello, My name is Rosie, I'm a writer working on a set of historical novels set in ancient Rome covering the lives of Pompeius Magnus, his son Sextus, and concluding with Sextus' daughter Pompeia's life. I'm pro Pompeians pro Liberators and the number one Augustus hater. lol. Agrippa was way too cool for his snivelly bestie.
  20. A blog investigating the origins and jounrye of Alaric the Visigoth, the king who conquered Rome: https://www.gordondoherty.co.uk/writeblog/alaric-the-visigoth-king-of-all
  21. What more can a person give to a cause, than their very existence? This is the essence of the ancient Roman oath of 'Devotio' - the word from which the modern term 'devotion' is derived. Read my blog that explores this chilling final resort of ancient Romans at war: https://www.gordondoherty.co.uk/writeblog/the-greatest-sacrifice?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEwakRWTXR2ek5uSTJFYVlvNQEeNZVGENCkHeYmyzIBbxt1NxTONyMw2DhxnpSQRnlx4_kGRYFxh1vhtdIkKyM_aem_eRglGEnEcW7QxP-VhbvZDw
  22. A couple of pertinent points-- -Copper is the element with symbol Cu- for Cuprum in Latin....in classical Latin, "y" is actually pronounced "o-o-o" as in "you," so "Cyprus" would have been pronounced "Koo-prus.' -It's been calculated that Old Worls coper mines couldn't have produced enough Cu to account for all the bronze in use in The Bronze Age, and that the huge amount of Cu mined during that time in the Lake Superior area of NA can not be accounted for among the NA artifacts..... ...and furthermore, certain genetic markers found in the Minoan population are also found among modern Ojibwa (or do you say Chippewa?) tribe members today (!)...Coincidentally, copper mining and copper usage in NA fell off just when the Minoan civilization collapsed. Go figure. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-42185-y https://chapelboro.com/town-square/columns/common-science/bronze-age-part-ii-the-case-of-the-missing-copper
  23. A follow-up article on the find: Conservators Are Puzzling Together Ancient Roman Murals Found in Hundreds of Pieces
  24. Archaeologists have found an ancient wheel and a Bronze Age cremation urn during excavation for a golf course near Iverness, Scotland. A chariot wheel was found within a cremation pit discovered within the remains of a walled enclosure. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2025/04/significant-archaeological-discoveries-near-inverness/155046 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2yw30y8p9o.amp
  25. Along the Danube River in Austria, two miles from the Roman legionary fortress of Carnuntum, the “Desolate Castle” (known as “Odes Schloss” in Austria) has been under investigation. It has been confirmed to have been a Roman bridgehead fort, and the nearly nine-foot-tall tower walls are now confirmed to be part of the fort. Experts believe the vital trade route connecting the Roman Empire with the Baltic Region, known as the Amber Road, crossed the Danube at this location. https://www.oeaw.ac.at/en/oeai/media/news-archive/news-detail/carnuntum-fort https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/roman-fort-austria-0022031#
  26. I found this short video surprisingly informative. Cyprus was a significant supplier of copper to Ancient Rome, if not the largest. The connection between Cyprus and copper was so strong that the metal's name became associated with the island. The ancient Romans sourced copper from several regions across their vast empire. Some of the most significant sources included: · • Cyprus – The island was a major supplier of copper, and its name is believed to be the origin of the Latin word for copper, cuprum. · • Iberia (modern Spain) – Rich copper deposits were actively mined here. · • Elba and Sardinia (Italy) – These islands provided copper and other metals for Roman use. · • Britannia (modern UK) – Copper mining was conducted in Roman Britain. · • Dacia (modern Romania) – Another important source of copper and other minerals. Here is an old post about how Cyprus became part of Rome’s expansion:
  27. A suspected mithraeum, a temple of Mithras, in Colchester, Britain, has undergone intense research. Built between AD 320 and 340, the site is now believed to have been converted into Britain’s earliest known Roman Christian church. Recent studies of the nearby burial sites suggest that the site later functioned as a Christian church. The religious site seems to have been in use until AD 400. The abrupt change in later burial patterns is more consistent with Christian burials (see quote below). Additionally, a coin hoard of at least 500 coins dating from after AD 330 has been discovered. This coin hoard would have been accumulated following Constantine the Great’s conversion to Christianity. Before the recent research, it had not been regarded as an early Christian church. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj0z4p4py1mo http://cat.essex.ac.uk/reports/CAR-report-0009.pdf Colchester has been the site of other Roman findings:
  28. While most of us who've ever had 2 of 3 y/o kids to care for know the strong temptation to rub out the over-active, little nuisances, most us resist the urge. Apparently neither the Mayans nor the Cartiginians had such good self control. Long thought to be anti-Carthage propaganda, Roman and Greek reports of child sacrifice there now have been confirmed by archeological evidence. https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2014-01-23-ancient-carthaginians-really-did-sacrifice-their-children
  1. Load more activity
×
×
  • Create New...