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Here is an interesting article about cancer in antiquity from the excellent website "Antigone"
The Crab: Facing Cancer in Greco-Roman Antiquity – Antigone (antigonejournal.com)
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I had long thought that the Roman Empire had total control of Egypt from the time of Augustus to the late Empire, possibly as late as the Vandal invasion in the fifth century.
The excellent article below on Egypt during the Roman-era states that Egypt was no longer the “breadbasket of Rome” after the revolt of the Egyptians lead by the Egyptian priest Isidorus in AD 172-173. The unsuccessful revolt was a tax revolt and cultural backlash against the Romans known as the Bucolic revolt and left the Egyptian economy permanently crippled.
QuoteEgypt was no longer a major supplier of corn to Rome following the Boucolic Marshes revolt in AD 172, when the priest Isidorus led a rebellion in the Nile Delta against the oppressive taxation of Marcus Aurelius; although the revolt was eventually put down, it left much of rural Egypt outside Rome’s control and severely damaged the Egyptian economy. In addition, the southern Roman frontier was under constant threat from an Eastern Desert people called the Blemmyes, who established a kingdom above the First Cataract (in Lower Nubia), threatening the Thebaid (the 12 southernmost nomes).
https://the-past.com/feature/palmyra-blemmyes-diocletian-and-egypt/
See Cassius Dio “Roman History” Book LXXII
QuoteThe people called the Bucoli began a disturbance in Egypt and under the leadership of one Isidorus, a priest, caused the rest of the Egyptians to revolt. At first, arrayed in women's garments, they had deceived the Roman centurion, causing him to believe that they were women of the Bucoli and were going to give him gold as ransom for their husbands, and had then struck down when he approached them. They also sacrificed his companion, and after swearing an oath over his entrails, they devoured them. Isidorus surpassed all his contemporaries in bravery. Next, having conquered the Romans in Egypt in a pitched battle, they came near capturing Alexandria, too, and would have succeeded, had not Cassius been sent against them from Syria. He contrived to destroy their mutual accord and to separate them from one another (for because of their desperation as well as of their numbers he had not ventured to attack them while they were united), and thus, when they fell to quarrelling, he subdued them.
https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/72*.html
It appears that after the revolt, the gain supply to Rome resumed. This new supply, however, seems to have been neither as reliable or plentiful. Unforfortunately, there appears to be very little written on the revolt and its effect on the Egyptian economy.
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Researchers at a Mayan ball court in Mexico have identified plant types using environmental DNA (since the plants are rarely preserved in the tropical climate). These plants are known for either their medicinal and possible hallucinogenic properties.
Discovered was the morning glory plant, for example, which contains tryptamine as well as lysergic acid amide that is chemically similar to LSD. The seeds of the morning glory plant are used for its psychedelic or hallucinogenic effects.QuoteAccording to a study published April 26 in the journal PLOS One, Mayans at Yaxnohcah participated in a ritual at a ballcourt using four or more plants. After conducting a DNA analysis of soil samples from a spot on an elevated platform supporting a ballcourt, researchers identified several plants, the Smithsonian Magazine reports. These include a hallucinogenic flower known as xtabentun (Ipomoea corymbosa), as well as lancewood (Oxandra lanceolata), chile peppers (Capsicum sp.), and jool leaves (Hampea trilobata). All four have medicinal properties. The plants were likely wrapped up in a bundle tied or woven from jool leaves. All that is left is a dark patch showing particles of organic material.
It paints a colorful picture of Mayan religion. Xtabentun is a variety of the psychedelic morning glory flower, growing wild in the Yucatan. It had several uses in Mayan culture because it produces the pollen Yucatecan honey bees use to create the nectar needed to make traditional Mayan liquor, with a kick. Morning glory varieties have seeds that contain ergoline alkaloids such as the psychedelic ergonovine and ergine (LSA), chemically similar to the more potent LSD. Chile (or chili) peppers were used medicinally for a variety of purposes as well. Jool leaves are used to wrap up offerings and lancewood is used ceremonially as well.
https://hightimes.com/news/psychedelic-plants-found-in-ancient-mayan-ballcourt/amp/
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0301497
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Here’s a video on the find:
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A recently excavated Roman shipwreck off the shore of Mallorca, Spain from the 4th century AD had uncovered around 300 amphorae. (I believe the post below is about the original find in 2019.) Only now have the contents of the amphorae been examined. Some amphorae had wine and others suspected olive oil. Many contained a substance residue thought to be a fish sauce distinct from garum
QuoteBecause the ship is exceptionally well-preserved, many painted inscriptions (tituli picti), on the exterior of the amphorae have survived. They identify the manufacturers, Ausonius et Alunni, and the contents: Liq Fos, short for liquamen flos (flowers of liquamen). At the time this ship was transporting goods, liquamen was a fish sauce distinct from garum, the fermented fish condiment that was ubiquitous in Roman repasts. (From the 5th century the two would become synonymous.)
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A coin at the wreck depicts Constantine the Great, dating the find at the earliest to the early AD 300s.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12520-024-01952-3
Fish sauce, new amphora type identified on Roman wreck – The History Blog
Shipwreck seen from above with amphorae:
Note: There is great confusion about garum and liquamen since these term have been used interchangeably but they probably are distinct entities. (See article below)
QuoteIt is clear that black garum was pre-eminent at the tables of the elite in Roman satire of the 1st century AD and it appears it was hugely popular on the streets of Pompeii. However, it is now necessary to recognise that the essential substance that dominated the Roman fish sauce trade may not have been a garum but a liquamen type of sauce.
Garum and Liquamen, What’s in a Name? | Journal of Maritime Archaeology (springer.com)
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There have been previous posts about Roman finds at Alderney, one of the Channel Islands located between England and France (see below).
A gold coin of Valens (reigned between AD 364-378) has been discovered on the island.
Alderney was the site of a Roman fortress.
Below is an artist impression of the site during the Roman era:
https://www.bbc.com/articles/cpegg5397wlo
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Archaeologists have found a suspected Roman villa and an indoor pool dating from AD 1-400 in the city of Durrës, Albania. Durrës is a port city on the Adriatic.
Above is evidence of the mosaic floor that was uncovered.
Durrës is already well known for its Roman amphitheater.
https://amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article288475115.html
Location of Durrës, Albania on the map.
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Excavations in Pompeii have found political graffiti on the outsides walls throughout the city. Recent excavations in the Regio IX area have found graffiti on the interior of a house (see photo above).
There have been previous posts on the excavations in the Regio IX area (see below).
QuoteThe political graffiti encouraged voters to elect a man named Aulus Rustius Verus for the office of aedile, a position responsible for public building and infrastructure.
Archaeologists believe the homeowner was a supporter of Verus’ campaign and may have hosted an event to back his candidacy. The property also had an attached bakery in which a millstone with Verus’ initials was found, suggesting that the shrewd politician may have been handing out bread in exchange for votes. It’s likely that Verus won the election, as other epigraphic evidence at the site indicates that he later served as one of Pompeii’s two duumvirs, the city’s highest political office.
https://www.archaeology.org/issues/552-2405/digs/12298-dd-italy-pompeii-propoganda
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Here is an interesting article about the Greek foundations of the important Roman “Twelve Tables” of laws.
The Twelve Tables were formalized in 449 BCE, outlining the rights and duties of Roman citizens. They provided civil rights for both patricians and plebeians. Ancient Roman historians and jurists believed they were the result of social struggle between patricians and plebeians. The Twelve Tables later influenced Byzantine law and even James Madison in crafting the Bill of Rights.
https://greekreporter.com/2024/05/13/overlooked-greek-foundations-roman-law/
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A Domus, now named Domus del Vicus Tuscus, was first discovered in 2018. It is located between the Palantine Hill and the Roman Forum and dates to the late Republican period.
Archaeologists have unearthed a wall covered with a mosaic, consisting of various types of shells, Egyptian blue tessarae, and tiny flakes of white marble.
One of the images on the wall are stacks of weapons and the Celtic carnyx (trumpets).
After archaeological studies are complete, this site will be accessible to the public.https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2024/01/colosseum-domus-mosaic/
Here is a previous thread about the Celtic carnyx:
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This is a case report of a 77 year-old man from Wisconsin (upper Midwest United States) who contracted Leprosy (Hansen’s disease). His travel history over the last two decades includes Mississippi, Arkansas, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and Ireland.
He denies exposure to armadillos or red squirrels.
The cause of his disease was M. lepromatosis (and not M. leprae which is found only in armadillos). M. lepromatosis has only been detected in red squirrels found in England, Ireland, and Scotland.
This is thought to be the first modern documented case of zoonotic (from animals to human) spread of leprosy, possibly from red squirrels in Ireland.
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On 2/12/2024 at 6:07 AM, Crispina said:
"Wonder to what extent (and how) ancient sporting events were tied to commercial interests?
Thinking about this some more, I think in Rome that many (if not most) sporting and entertainment events were sponsored by either politicians or businessmen who were trying to enhance their prestige. Their support would be both recognized and appreciated by the masses.
I am not sure these vested interests would have advertised their support as blatantly as the newsreader from the series “Rome,” however. “This was brought to you by the Capitoline Brotherhood of Millers that uses only the finest flour. True Roman bread for true Romans.”
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The three lead ingots from various perspectives
An analysis of three first century AD Roman-era lead ingots has been untaken. They were found in Belmez, Córdoba in Spain at Los Escoriales de Doña Rama.Most lead ingots are usually found at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, the result of a shipwreck. Unusually, after these ingots were analyzed, it was found that these ingots were found at the site where they had been manufactured.
QuoteAnalysis of the ingots' chemical composition and stable isotopes allowed the research team to verify that they were desilvered, and that the ore with which they were made was from the district of Fuente Obejuna-Azuaga, a major mining area that included the Doña Rama site where the ingots were found.
QuoteThese ingots, which are triangular in shape, similar to a Toblerone bar, have been dated to the first century AD. Two of them bear a distinctive mark with the letters “S S”, which corresponds to the societas Sisaponesis an ancient mining company from La Bienvenida (Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real).
This mark indicates that the ingots were intended for export, revealing that ancient Roman Córdoba was not only a production center but also a strategic point for Mediterranean trade.
https://www.archaeology.org/news/12385-240510-spain-roman-lead
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240507145609.htm
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We have had a few previous posts about Roman archaeological finds in the Cotswolds area. Above are some Cupid figurines and below is a nail clipper, some of the more recent Roman finds (see article). These are among the many items that will go on display soon.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjq5p100exzo
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Here are more pictures of the site:
Ancient Rome breakthrough as scientists make huge discovery near Mount Vesuvius (msn.com)
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Here’s a short video on the find and another article. This lump of Tyrian purple is thought to be related to the imperial court of Septimius Severus during his stay in Britain. There was some previous evidence of the Imperial Court in Carlisle:
Quote“Other evidence being an inscription stone to the Empress Julia Domna, the date of the monumental building - among the largest on Hadrian’s Wall - coinciding with Emperor Septimius Severus campaigns in Scotland, and an ancient source stating Septimius Severus was in Carlisle, and the high quality of the objects discovered at the bathhouse, granting of civic status to the local Celtic tribal capital at Carlisle; which in effect is the beginning of the city of Carlisle.
https://arkeonews.net/incredibly-rare-tyrian-purple-discovered-at-carlisle-roman-bathhouse/
https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/news/2024/rare-roman-discovery-found-carlisle
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We have had many previous posts on military standards and images before (see posts below). Here is possibly the best video summarizing these:
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The dodecahedron found in Lincolnshire is bigger than I thought. Here’s a quick news clip about it’s going on display. Its mystery continues.
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It was know for several years that red squirrels were a host for leprosy.
it is only recently, however, that genomic studies (looking at complete DNA sequences) of both Medieval squirrels and human skeletons of that era were examined. It showed a direct link between red squirrels and human leprosy in the Middle Ages.
The consumption of red squirrel meat and using squirrel fur promoted this zoonotic (spread from animals to people) infection.
It is known that in some areas of Texas and Louisiana armadillos were shown to be infected by leprosy more than 15% of the time. A recent outbreak of leprosy in Florida has been directly tied to armadillos. There is some concern that “armadillos may contaminate soil with the leprosy bacteria by burrowing and defecating, infecting humans who later handle soil.” (See article below)
One study in Brazil showed that more than 60% of armadillos harbored leprosy. Here is a picture of a man in nearby Ecuador preparing armadillo meat. Brazil is known to have 11.6% of the cases of leprosy worldwide. (India by far has the largest number of cases.)
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A red squirrel infected with leprosy (Hansen’s disease) causing infiltration and destruction of this animal’s ear.
There is genetic evidence of M. leprae infection in Medieval English red squirrels. “The medieval red squirrel strain we recovered is more closely related to medieval human strains from the same city than to strains isolated from infected modern red squirrels.”
Despite being a host for leprosy, it is uncertain whether squirrels were an animal vector for human leprosy infection during the Middle Ages. These findings support the theory that leprosy was transmitted by squirrel fur trade, however.
In the Southern USA, armadillos are both a reservoir of leprosy (Hansen’s disease) and a frequent vector of human leprosy cases in the South.
https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(24)00446-9
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/british-red-squirrels-serve-leprosy-reservoir
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240503111918.htm
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There have been a few posts on either the important Tyrian purple dye or Roman excavations near Carlisle, England (see posts below).
Recent excavations at Carlisle have found a soft purple mass. Recent studies have revealed that it is made of beeswax and bromine. Researchers suggest that this represents a solid sample of Tyrian purple dye, possibly a unique finding in Roman archaeology. This expensive and coveted dye was available only to the elite of the Roman world.
According to the article, the rare dye was made from the glands of a marine snail and about 12,000 were needed to obtain less than 2g of pigment.
https://www.newsweek.com/archaeologists-find-rare-item-worth-more-romans-weight-gold-1897206
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjje132jvygo#
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Here are some pictures of the exhibit from Maridvnvm (from cointalk.com and forumancientcoins.com). The descriptions are from the pictures.
Britain, British Museum, Exhibition 2024 - Legion: life in the Roman Army - crocodile armour
Some Roman soldiers participated in local religions – Terentianus was keen to report his piety. Crocodile-worship was common in Egypt. This crocodile scalp could be a ritual headdress, or a local adaptation of the fierce lion and bear hoods worn by Roman standard bearers. The tough leather of the crocodile skin resembles the texture of scale body armour, and leather protection might have sufficed for some soldiers. Alternatively, it was perhaps worn under metal armour for cushioning, adding flexible hip and shoulder protection.
Made of Crocodile leather
Probably found in Manfalut, Egypt
Dating to A.D. 200–400
Part of British Museum collection, 1846,0501.9
Britain, British Museum, Exhibition 2024 - Legion: life in the Roman Army - chainmail
This deceptively simple looking armour is a chainmail shirt, found in the barracks of a fort on Hadrian's Wall. It probably belonged to a soldier of the 5th cohort of Gauls, an auxiliary unit raised in the area including modern France. The individual rings are 7 mm wide and were fixed by riveting alternating rows, making it painstaking and expensive to produce.
Made of Iron
Found at Arbeia fort, Tyne and Wear, England
Dating to A.D. 200–300
On loan from Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=lastup&cat=-1262
Britain, British Museum, Exhibition 2024 - Legion: life in the Roman Army - bronze Draco
By the A.D.100s, a distinctive windsock-like standard especially suited to being wielded from the saddle had been adopted from Rome's Sarmatian foes – the draco. This bronze standard head originally had a tube of colourful materials attached. Carried by a draconarius, the material trailed behind the rider, blown by the breeze and emitting a whistling sound to suggest the fearsome beast's howl. Its pole was attached through two holes on the top and bottom of the head.
Found in Niederbieber, Germany
Dating to 190 A.D. –260 A.D.
On loan from GDKE – Direktion Landesarchäologie Außenstelle Koblenz -
During a discussion of the recent orange Sahara dust storm (Sirocco) that swept through Greece, Caesar Novus found this excellent map showing the various winds that impact the Mediterranean (see below).
We probably underestimate the effect that climate events had on ancient history. The Bora wind storm changed the course of Roman history in September AD 394 at the Battle of Frigidus, for example. During the battle, Theodosius won the battle and defeated the usurpers Eugenius and Arbogast. A strong Bora wind impacted the battle at a pivotal point.
During the battle, the hurricane-strength Bora winds blew directly in the faces of the usurpers, disrupting their lines. According to legend, the fierce winds even blew the usurper troops' own arrows back on themselves. The winds could possibly have affected the accuracy of the usurpers' pila, also.
After winning the battle, the victorious Theodosius had the usurpers Eugenius and Arbogast executed. With his victory, Theodosius unified the Empire and snuffed out the dying embers of Paganism.
Naturally, Theodosius attributed these seasonal winds to divine intervention.
Here is a short clip of the Bora winds on the streets of Trieste a few years ago. These winds can go above 200 km/hour (124 miles/hour):
A previous post on the recent Sahara dust storm
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We have had many posts on the mysterious dodecahedron (see blow). Here is a fascinating video on one theory: It was used as a tool to knit gold wire for jewelry. Well worth a watch:
Note: There have been at least 116 dodecahedrons found in the Roman Empire: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Interestingly, none have been in the Roman heartland in Italy. They are always found north of the Alps. I’m not sure of the significance of this fact.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_dodecahedron
Roman stadium restored in Perga, Turkey
in Archaeological News: Rome
Posted · Edited by guy
The Roman stadium of Perga (Perge) in Southern Turkey has been restored. The stadium, which seats about 5000, is one of many fascinating Roman finds in the city of Perga (see video below). Perga was one of the many sites visited by Apostle Paul.
https://www.dailysabah.com/turkiye/ancient-roman-citys-stadium-restoration-completed-in-s-turkiye/news