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Syedra, located in southern Turkey, has been a site of previous Roman-era finds (see the earlier post below). Recently, a fifth-century AD mosaic was discovered beneath a suspected ancient olive oil factory. Beneath the mosaic, a cistern measuring five meters (16 feet) in height was also discovered. https://greekreporter.com/2025/05/12/roman-mosaic-cistern-ancient-greek-city-syedra-turkey/

An Iron Age coin hoard comprising 933 gold coins (staters), known as the Great Baddow Hoard, will finally go on display in a museum in Essex, Britain. It is thought that these coins were buried for protection from Roman incursions. This is probably the largest Iron Age gold coin hoard found in Britain. The hoard was initially discovered in 2020, but the finder was arrested for failing to report the find to the local coroner within the required 14 days, as stipulated by the Treasure Act 1996. It is believed that the finder may have listed some coins on eBay. https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/25162077.essex-found-iron-age-coins-displayed-museum/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp3nz54eegko

Here's an interesting article on the geopolitical strategy of Augustus and Tiberius. The article reminds us that Suetonius said about Augustus: "He never waged war against any nation without just and necessary causes, and he was so far removed from the desire to expand his power or military glory by any means that he even compelled certain barbarian leaders to swear in the temple of Mars Ultor that they would remain faithful and at peace as they had requested." nec ulli genti sine iustis et necessariis causis bellum intulit tantumque afuit a cupiditate quoquo modo imperium uel bellicam gloriam augendi, ut quorundam barbarorum principes in aede Martis Vltoris iurare coegerit mansuros se in fide ac pace quam peterent. Roman Restraint: Foreign Policy from Augustus to Tiberius – Antigone

A metal detectorist discovered a hoard of 1469 Roman denarii in Letca Nouă, Romania. The coins featured eleven Roman emperors and empresses, including Nero, Aurelius, and Galba. They were found in a broken ceramic vessel. https://amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article304963431.html https://www.fox9.com/news/man-stumbles-across-hoard-priceless-coins-while-out-nature-walk-face-face-history.amp Location of Letca Nouă, Romania, below:

A well-preserved Roman-era wooden pipe, dating from the 1st to 3rd century AD, was found in Leuven, Belgium. It was preserved by the water-logged, marshy soil. https://www.belganewsagency.eu/roman-wooden-water-pipe-discovered-in-leuven https://archaeologymag.com/2025/05/roman-wooden-water-pipe-unearthed-in-leuven/ https://interestingengineering.com/culture/roman-wooden-water-pipe-found-belgium

This article describes the interpretation of a 2,000-year-old Greek scroll that was carbonized as a result of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Using artificial intelligence and X-ray scanning techniques, researchers have successfully identified the scroll’s author as Philodemus, an Epicurean philosopher, and its title as "On Vices." The scroll, designated as PHerc. 172 (see picture below), underwent scanning at the Diamond Light Source, a synchrotron facility located in the United Kingdom, where remnants of ink were detected, allowing scholars to access portions of the text. This remarkable discovery is part of the Vesuvius Challenge, a global initiative launched in 2023 aimed at decoding the Herculaneum papyri without requiring their physical unrolling. AI decodes 2,000-year-old Greek scroll’s secrets without opening it Here's a previous post on the Vesuvius Challenge

Although the Roman Empire did not reach Ireland, there is evidence of trade connections. The charred remains of an ancient fig (pictured above) have been discovered at Drumanagh, a suspected Roman-era trading post near Ireland’s eastern coastline. This indicates an extensive trade network that extended from Southern Europe across the Empire to Ireland. https://www.irishcentral.com/news/archaeologists-fig-drumanagh-dublin https://archaeology.org/news/2024/12/02/2000-year-old-charred-fig-excavated-in-ireland/#:~:text=It is likely that the,also identified at the fort. The Coleraine coin hoard of hundreds of Roman coins (see below) dating to the early 5th century AD suggest some interaction between the Roman Empire and Ireland. Coins found in the hoard range from those minted by Constantius II (the earliest) to those of Honorius (the latest, and also suspected to be an ancient forgery). Interestingly, coins of the usurper Constantine III were also discovered in the hoard.

Here is a follow-up to the post above. Above is a better image of the steelyard weight (a counterweight used on a balance). It takes the form of Silenus, a wise, old drunken satyr who was a companion of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine. https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/25139914.discoveries-roman-life-cockermouth-area-revealed/

The Battle of Pharsalus, fought between Caesar and Pompey in 48 BCE during the Roman Civil War, showed the vulnerability of cavalry trying to defeat well-disciplined legionnaires. Pompey initially had a numerical advantage, particularly in cavalry. He stationed them on his left flank, intending to overwhelm Caesar’s right and roll up his line. Caesar, anticipating this move, had prepared an ingenious counter: he concealed six cohorts of legionnaires behind his right wing, instructing them to hold their ground until the enemy cavalry engaged. As Pompey’s cavalry charged, Caesar’s hidden cohorts sprang into action. Rather than engaging in standard combat by launching their pila (javelins), they targeted their pila directly at the faces of Pompey’s horsemen. This brilliant defensive maneuver disrupted the cavalry’s momentum, and once the legionnaires closed in, the horsemen found themselves trapped in brutal hand-to-hand combat against disciplined infantry. Unable to counter the legionnaires' tight formations and aggressive assault, the cavalry fell into disarray and retreated. Pompey’s left flank was exposed with the routed cavalry, and Caesar’s troops exploited the opening, pushing into the main battle line. The collapse of the cavalry marked a turning point in the battle. Pompey's forces, unable to recover, were systematically crushed, leading to his total defeat. This battle demonstrates how tactical discipline and adaptability enabled legionnaires to triumph over superior cavalry. Interesting podcast on that subject: Dan Carlin's "Hardcore History: Caesar at Hastings" recreates a battle between Caesar's legionnaires and the later Norman cavalry. Battle of Pharsalus - Wikipedia

During excavations for a new apartment building near Kaiseraugst, Switzerland, a bronze panther figurine was discovered. The excavations were part of the Augusta Raurica, a thriving Roman city between the first and third centuries AD. The city, despite its peak population of only 20,000 inhabitants, did have a large amphitheater (pictured below). https://allthatsinteresting.com/kaiseraugst-switzerland-ancient-roman-settlement https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusta_Raurica

A 47-year-old American tourist was impaled while attempting to scale a fence at the Colosseum, trying to either get a selfie or have a better view. It took 20 minutes to free the man, who was screaming until he lost consciousness. Fortunately, he survived but required 80 sutures. https://www.lbc.co.uk/world-news/us-tourist-impaled-himself-romes-colosseum-railings-20-minutes-horror-accident/

Over 100 horse skeletons have been discovered near Stuttgart, Germany. These were believed to have been belonged to a Roman castra (military camp) that dated from the early 2nd century AD. An analysis of the horse remains suggest they died at different times. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2025/05/1800-year-old-cemetery-for-roman-calvary-horses-discovered-in-stuttgart-suburb/155143#google_vignette

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.

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/

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:

Here is an interesting video from an architect’s perspective about the planning of modern London, influenced by Roman Londinium.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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

A follow-up article on the find: Conservators Are Puzzling Together Ancient Roman Murals Found in Hundreds of Pieces

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

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#

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: