guy

An interesting conference In Basel, Switzerland. (I guess see Zoom attendance is available): “Palaeoclimatologists believe to have identified a period of unusually warm and humid weather in Europe and the Mediterranean that expanded from roughly 200 BCE to 150 CE, which they called the ‘Roman Climate Optimum’ or the ‘Roman warm period’. Some historians have linked this overall perseverance of unusually stable and favorable climatic conditions to the expansion of the Roman Empire to its greatest height, and argue that these predominantly warm and humid conditions in large parts of the Empire enabled the delivery of sufficient supply to the growing urban population around the Mediterranean and to the Roman army.” ”This international conference will be the first that is specifically devoted to the notion of a Roman Climate Optimum and its impact on the fate of the Roman Empire.” https://ancientclimate.philhist.unibas.ch/en/event/the-end-of-the-roman-climate-optimum-and-the-disintegration-of-the-roman-empire/

Here’s another article on the exhibit. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/pompeii-sexual-erotic-art-exhibition

This is an interesting Roman hoard found in Pewsey that is coming up for auction. A nice siliqua from the usurper Eugenius (reign 392-394 AD) minted in modern Trier, Germany Siliqua from Trier of usurper Magnus Maximus (reign 383-388 AD) Information from the auction site: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-61331388 https://www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/calendar/643/catalogue/

Although possibly apocryphal, this quote by Oscar Wilde is both witty and cautionary: The use of a tax to shape social policy is nothing new. A Bachelor tax was enacted in Mussolini's Italy, for example: Today there are many that feel a tax break on joint marriage income also represents a bachelor tax. An early precedent for the Bachelor tax was imposed by Augustus: Ancient Rome was a source of unusual taxes, indeed. The famous "urine tax" of Nero and Vespasian is remembered even today: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecunia_non_olet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor_tax https://taxfitness.com.au/Blog/bachelor-tax

Olea Hadriani is only available at the estate It’s wonderful to imagine sampling olive oil from the olive groves of Hadrian. This includes a rare variety of olives called Albero Bello. This rare variety of olive oil is only available on the estate and not to the general public. “The majority of olive trees used for current production are only a few hundred years old. As many as seven different cultivars of olive trees grow on the estate, including one totally unique variety called Albero Bello, or the beautiful tree. Dating to the 13th century, the tree stands 52 feet tall. Last month, the villa produced special olive oil made only from the olives of this nearly thousand-year-old giant.” https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/emperor-hadrian-villa

There have been several posts before about possible bubonic plague in Ancient Rome. (See posts below.) Rufus of Ephesus (70-110 AD) had mentioned earlier plagues that were possibly a form of bubonic plague. These earlier plagues described by Rufus were much less virulent than the later suspected Bubonic Plague of Justinian (541-549 AD) and Black Death that devastated Europe (1347-1352). These plagues of Rufus may have even been some other disease entirely. It is thought by many that black rats and fleas were important in the spread of the bacterium (Yersinia pestis) that caused bubonic plagues. Finding evidence of ancient black rat populations would support the presence of ancient bubonic plague, at least during the reign of the Eastern Emperor Justinian. This study shows that black rat population both waxed and waned, most notably during and after the Justinian Plague. This study supports the belief that at least the Justinian Plague (among all of the ancient plagues) was a form of the bubonic plague. The plagues were able to quickly spread thru developed societies that facilitated trade (and disease) from more distant locations. Grain transport, for example, would bring both needed food supplies and infected rats over a long distance. The plague would diminish either because these trade networks became disrupted or (less likely) climate change impacted on the rat populations. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-30009-z https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220503141339.htm

Dr. Francis Fukuyama is a thoughtful economist and political scientist. I found his paragraph from the Wall Street Journal (April 31, 2022) somewhat surprising, however. I found this paragraph wrong. Let's analyze it further. He insists that in 221 BCE China (not Ancient Rome) was the first society that developed the "foundational elements of a modern state", "1,800 years before [European societies] started to evolve modern states. What are his criteria for a modern state? A merit-based civil service: The success of both the Roman Republic and Empire depended on a developed and sophisticated civil service and bureaucracy. Centralized taxation: Rome was notorious for its bureaucratic tax system Uniform weights and measures: The success of Roman engineering was dependent on a highly accurate system of weights and engineering. Usually Dr. Fukuyama can be very thoughtful in his writing. This paragraph, however, was just plain silly.

Further insights have been found about the site. The attached article has some wonderful pictures: (Evidence of cremation) https://www.bishopsstortfordindependent.co.uk/news/fascinating-finds-reveal-bishops-stortfords-past-as-a-roma-9251991/

Here is a wonderful video on the Gallic Roman Empire (260-274 AD).

Archaeologists hope to discover more about the story of Eildon Hill North. The site in southern Scotland may have been occupied much later than previously thought. Eildon Hill North in the Scottish Borders was a large Bronze Age fort prior to the arrival of the Romans. It was thought to be abandoned when the Romans built the nearby fortress of Trimontium in the 1st century AD. (See previous post below.) Although evidence of a Roman signal tower associated with Trimontium was found at the summit of Eildon Hill North, Eildon Hill North was thought to be otherwise reduced in both function and importance with the Roman invasion. New archaeological evidence suggests, however, that a thriving community persisted at Eildon Hill North possibly during the Roman occupation or later. (Map showing close proximity of the Roman fort Trimontium and the Bronze Age community at Eildon Hill North: 2.6 miles or 4.2 km) https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-61258228

The use of absorption spectrometry has discovered faded pigment on ancient monuments. This has allowed researchers to recreate the original appearance of monuments long faded by time. Although this is an older study, it proves that the monuments in Ancient Rome were brightly colored spectacles. We may need to reassess our view of how the Arch of Titus (with it’s famous menorah) and other monuments such as the Arch of Constantine (see post below) appeared in Ancient Rome. Ancient Rome was a city of bright colors and gaudy facades more akin to modern Las Vegas than the city of sterile white marble depicted by Hollywood. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.haaretz.com/amp/archaeology/MAGAZINE-archaeologists-reconstruct-how-the-arch-of-titus-looked-in-full-color-1.5449144

This is an interesting article about the new isotope-based technique to measure the age of antique wood. Previously, dating the wood was based on the rings of the tree (known as dendrochronology). (See example above.) A tree ring carefully dissected prior to chemical analysis. Credit: UK Oak Project Summary: This new dating technique will be helpful to date older wood samples in Britain. https://www.swansea.ac.uk/press-office/news-events/news/2022/04/ancient-oak-trees-to-shed-light-on-the-climate-of-the-past-4500-years.php

It is good to see that life is returning to normal post-pandemic. This looks like an interesting exhibit: Fresco of Leda and the swan Archaeological Park of Pompeii https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-was-erotic-art-so-popular-in-ancient-pompeii-180979988/ http://pompeiisites.org/en/comunicati/art-and-sensuality-in-the-houses-of-pompeii-an-exhibition-to-recount-the-central-position-occupied-by-sensual-and-erotic-images-in-the-domus-of-pompeii/

It looks historically accurate to me.

A skeleton and a caltrop [a Roman era device similar to police spikes possibly used to stop advancing troops and horses]. Both were unearthed at Grange Paddocks by archaeologists (Image: East Herts District Council) A small, but interesting find at Grange Paddocks: https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/roman-skeletons-weapons-discovered-during-7004357 Summary: It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to find Roman ruins buried in a modern frequently-used sports complex. It does, however, reflect the extensive Roman development in the area. I had never considered the use of caltrops in ancient warfare in Britain, probably to slow advance of troops, horses, and even chariots. Here is further information on the use of caltrops in ancient warfare: (Picture from Trimontium Museum archive) https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/roman-skeletons-weapons-discovered-during-7004357 https://www.trimontium.co.uk/archive-item/caltrop-replica/

(Proposed renovation of Britains only-known Roman circus in Colchestor.) The Roman circus served many purposes: It was the venue for chariot races, horse races, gladiatorial performances, as well as the site for public celebrations. There have been previous posts about the excavation of Roman ruins in Cholchester. (See post below.) There has been a partial excavation of the only known Roman circus in Britain at Cholchester. There are now plans to reroute a busy highway to unearth the rest of the circus. “Experts want to bring the footprint of Colchester’s Roman Circus, which is more than 2,000-years-old, to the forefront of the town’s historic attractions. Only a small segment of the circus’ remains can be spotted within the site of the former garrison, off Roman Circus Walk, as it stands. Colchester Archaeological Trust now wants to excavate along the line of remains, which has already been exposed, to recover the plan of the monument’s foundations.” https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/20092058.colchester-roman-circus-calls-made-remove-busy-road/

Here is an excellent summary of the find: http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/63924

An ancient Roman and Byzantine bathhouse unearthed in Tiberias lies neglected, under piles of garbage and housing a homeless person, October 19, 2021. (Michael Bachner/Times of Israel) Many Roman ruins throughout the Roman Empire have yet to be excavated. The city of Tiberius, Israel is no exception. Tiberius was established in 20 AD and named after the Emperor Tiberius. The city became increasingly important in Ancient Judea, especially after the first Jewish War (66-73 AD) when the city stayed neutral in the conflict. Unfortunately, until recently, this important cultural and historical site has been ignored. Many of the ancient artifacts have been vandalized and stolen. Funding is now planned to make this area into a national park and international tourist destination like Caesarea. The stage of the newly excavated Roman theater at Tiberias. The theater, which seated 7,000, was one feature of the Roman metropolis built here two millennia ago. (photo credit: Matti Friedman/The Times of Israel) https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-years-of-neglect-rare-opportunity-opens-up-for-tiberias-archaeological-gems/ https://www.timesofisrael.com/long-neglected-ancient-tiberias-comes-back-to-life/amp/

Here is an interesting article that looked at the soil surrounding skeletons found in Britain. More specifically, they looked at the soil from the pelvic region in search of intestinal parasites. Note: Ascaris was the most common intestinal parasite found. Ascaris is a type of parasitic roundworm and the infection is called ascariasis. It can grow to more than a foot (30 cm) long. Most people infected (85%) have few or no symptoms. It is not transmitted human to human. The person usually has to come in contact with soil that has been contaminated by pig or human feces. Children can get the infection by playing in contaminated dirt and not washing their hands. Unwashed fruits or vegetables in contaminated soil can also transmit the infection. Although the disease infects up to a billion people in the world, it is rare in developed nations. Ascariasis is considered a neglected tropical disease. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220421141542.htm https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0010312# Here is a previous post on the parasite infection in Vindolanda:

If I read this post correctly, Longinus was originally from Bulgaria and was stationed in Britain. The distance between these two places is about 1740 miles (2800 km). This is farther than the distance between Montreal, Canada and Miami, Florida: It is amazing the great distances traveled with relative ease within the Roman Empire. The efficient and reliable road system in the Empire would have facilitated movement over long distances. As mentioned before in previous threads, this extensive road system would have facilitated the movement and spread of many things: troops (both to defend and attack the Empire), ideas (such as Christianity), diverse goods and commodities, as well as disease (including the many plagues that devastated the Empire). Obviously, an extensive transportation system and a common language (either Latin or Greek) would have been some of the keys to the Empire’s success and longevity.

That is a horrifying thought, indeed. (Scene from the movie “Gladiator” during the battle in Germania.) Did you make a video of the test shots?

(The expansion and splintering of the Mongol Empire from 1206-1294 AD.) Here’s a nice quick review of the Mongol Empire. “The Mongol Empire was a huge but short-lived empire that at its peak stretched from the Pacific Ocean to central Europe. But while vast — it was the largest contiguous land empire in history — it was united for only a few decades, before breaking apart into smaller empires in the 1260s as a result of civil war.” Climate changes may have impacted Mongol expansion: “Genghis Khan's campaigns may have been helped by good environmental conditions in Mongolia. A study published in 2014 in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" found that from 1211 to 1225 the climate in Mongolia was unusually moist — leading to more grassland activity. This may have helped fuel Genghis Khan's conquests as his army relied heavily on cavalry, which necessitated good pasture for horses.” https://www.livescience.com/the-mongol-empire https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1318677111

The Nok culture thrived in central Nigeria from 1500 BCE to 500 AD. The were well known for their terracotta figurines and iron working. Little is known about their diet, however. The acidic soil in the Nok territories did not preserve much organic material. Fortunately analysis on ancient pottery has shed new light on their diets. Summary: The use of chemical analysis on pottery vessels has yielded new insights into ancient cultures. [See posts below.] https://phys.org/news/2022-04-chemical-ancient-west-african-pots.html

Wow. T-Rex! I haven’t thought about them for more than a decade. They were early glam rock, punk rock pioneers. Here is an entertaining video of their jamming with Elton John.