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(Scene from the HBO series “Rome” that possibly incorrectly depicts Cleopatra using some mind-altering substance.) The use of drugs, whether recreational or medicinal, has been discussed before (see the post below).

[Scene from the movie “Gladiator” in which the former general Maximus (who has fallen out of favor of the Emperor Commodus) is captured and being sold in a slave market.] The article below made me delve into the controversy whether typical ancient Romans had tattoos, and if they did, how were they accepted by Roman society. https://antigonejournal.com/2023/03/stigma-ancient-tattoos Tattoos were, in fact, common among legionnaires. Modern scholars aren’t certain what the looked like, however, but they probably indicated the unit in which the soldier belonged. They were possibly used to identify those who left a unit without permission. Below is an old thread from UNRV that dealt with the legionnaires at Hadrian’s Wall who had tattoos. (Marc Antony shortly before his suicide after the Battle of Actium.) For the Romans, tattoos were mostly commonly associated with barbarians and the least respected elements of society. (Tattoo of the preserved arm of a Scythian chiffon from 500 BCE) This interesting article below discusses the fact that tattoos were using seen among criminals, slaves, and the military. Everyday Romans and the elites, however, didn’t have tattoos. https://worldhistoryfaq.com/did-the-romans-have-tattoos/

Here’s a short article on the Limes Arabicus: https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/03/the-limes-arabicus-the-desert-frontier-of-the-roman-empire/138363 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limes_Arabicus

A colorful Roman mosaic has been found while excavating for a supermarket in Olney, Buckinghamshire. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-64918113

Here’s a wonderful video about the newly reopened house of the Vettii:

(Hundreds of Roman coins and 27 rock crystals found at the suspected Roman religious site.) A hiker on a plateau in the Ammertenhorn Mountains, Switzerland stumbled on a Roman coin in 2020. Further investigation has yielded a votive sheet at the site, among other finds: https://www.heraldonline.com/news/nation-world/world/article273148170.html#storylink=mainstage_lead http://www.thehistoryblog.com/

It is good to see that Roman archaeological finds are being preserved, even if they are now part of a McDonalds. These ruins are highly accessible to the public.

There is still little in-depth information about the Leeds find. Here is an early video on the find:

The remains of a late-Roman aristocratic woman has been found in Leeds. This finding was among eighty other skeletons that date from the late-Roman and early-Saxon periods. (Lead coffin contained Roman remains) https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2023-03-13/roman-womans-skeleton-unearthed-in-extraordinary-secret-cemetery

Here’s an interesting video about the Roman auxiliaries: Here’s a good video contrasting the legionary weapons and tactics with those of the auxiliaries. Five auxiliary units of the Roman army: https://www.thecollector.com/auxiliary-units-the-roman-army/

There is further evaluation of the cremated remains in the Colchester vase. https://www.livescience.com/gladiators-fought-in-roman-britain-action-packed-cremation-urn-carvings-reveal

Here is a wonderful video by Max Miller on “Dinner with Attila the Hun.” Also below is an article on the Roman envoy Priscus’s description of dining with Attila. http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/attila.htm

The Vatican has returned three pieces of the Parthenon that was in their collection. It is hoped that the Vatican’s gesture will put increased pressure on the British Museum to return their much larger Parthenon collection known as the Elgin marbles (see posts below): https://apnews.com/article/parthenon-vatican-return-marble-sculptures-61904ad33c9c8edf182f65c352a52829 Previous threads about the Elgin Parthenon marbles controversy.

A Roman-era alter piece was found in the grounds of Leicester Cathedral. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2023/03/excavations-reveal-roman-altar-stone-in-shrine-or-cult-room/146401

Rome quickly exerted its control and influence in Egypt after the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra. In this case, Rome integrated itself into the culture by placing the face of the emperor Claudius on a Sphinx. https://m.sundayworld.com/news/world-news/archaeologists-unearth-sphinx-like-roman-era-statue-in-egypt/789840870.html (Map of Dendera, Egypt)

The Colchester vase depicting two gladiators was first found in Colchester in 1853. There is now evidence it was locally manufactured with local clay around AD 160-200. This may confirm that gladiator fights did, in fact, occur in Britain. Or, at least, fans of gladiatorial fights lived in Britain. There had been no previous evidence of gladiator contests in Britain. Background history of Colchester: The ancient Roman city (Camulodunum) was the first legionary fortress established after the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 AD. It was attacked and destroyed by Boudicca in 61 AD. It was later rebuilt. It has the only Roman Circus (chariot racetrack) in Britain. It also has two of Britain’s five Roman theaters, including Britain’s largest with 5000 seats. By the Second and Third centuries AD it may have had 30,000 inhabitants. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/mar/04/evidence-reveals-gladiators-fought-in-roman-britain https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/colchester-vase-0018017 http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66650 Recent evidence of a Roman Circus has been found in Colchester:

I guess the focus of the find is also the presence of Roman-era spikes used to impede enemy forces: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/roman-wooden-spikes-barbed-wire-julius-caesar-180981727/

Here is an interesting interactive map of the forts and supply forts along Hadrian’s Wall: https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/01/vallum-aulium-hadrians-wall/136689?amp=1 Hadrian's Wall Article : Scribble Maps

(Roman sestertius of Trajan depicting Portus, the harbor of Rome.) Here is another great video by Garrett Ryan. This video deals with architecture found on ancient Roman coins. Interestingly, he discusses the Roman port of Portus, near the city of Rome (4:40). We had a recent thread on this harbor of Rome. (See thread below):

Here’s the original thread about the corridor after it was first discovered in 2017:

Here’s an interesting article about the discovery of a corridor in the Great Pyramid of Giza. This corridor could either be a structural support for the pyramid or related to an undiscovered burial chamber. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-64825526

I saw Winwood and Clapton at The MGM in Las Vegas a few years ago. They did most of the Blind Faith songs. Winwood stole the show, however. Winwood's solo "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" was absolutely breathtaking. A few years later, I saw Winwood with Steely Dan. I was less impressed as he became more "jazzy" for that show.

(Scene from the “Raiders of the Lost Ark” where the Ark of the Covenant is placed in storage.) The storage of historical artifacts in Britain has been a problem. The lack of display or public sale of numismatic finds is especially frustrating. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64707488

Here is an interesting article on some of the most fascinating and beautiful coins assessed by NGC Ancient Certification service. The background of the above coin is interesting: https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/11134/NGC-Ancient-coins/ Images courtesy of Classical Numismatic Group, Heritage Auctions, Numismatica Ars Classica, Ira & Larry Goldberg, and Jean Elsen & ses Fils.

Interesting research. I would like to see your results. I guess it would depend on the time period examined. Constantinople wouldn’t be among the largest population centers until the fourth century AD, for example. I’m surprised to see Hispania listed as among the least urbanized considering Cadéz and Córdoba were large urban centers. Please share your research.