Did the Romans Invent Christmas?
Did the first Christian Roman emperor appropriate the pagan festival of Saturnalia to celebrate the birth of Christ? Matt Salusbury weighs the evidence.
Roman Empire
Gladiators Were Vegetarians
Plant-based diets high in carbohydrates made the Roman ‘barley men’ appear more spectacular.
Vercingetorix and the Failure of Resistance to Rome
The tactics adopted by the Gallic leader Vercingetorix to resist Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul played into Roman hands.
Our Oldest Bible: The Codex Sinaiticus
Christians have long relied on scribes’ copies of Biblical texts; J. K. Elliot describes how the Codex Sinaiticus, discovered in 1844, dates from the fourth century.
The Fall of the Roman Empire
As the Roman Empire declined its leaders became interested more in personal survival than good governance. Adrian Goldsworthy draws comparisons with current crises.
Hadrian and the Limits of Empire
The emperor Hadrian presided over the Roman empire at its height, defined its borders and was one of the most cultured rulers of the ancient world.
The Roman Doctor Will See You Now
Anthea Gerrie explores a remarkable excavation, a Roman surgeon’s house in Rimini.
Silk Ties: The Links Between Ancient Rome & China
China and Rome were the two great economic superpowers of the Ancient World. Yet their empires were separated by thousands of miles of inhospitable terrain, dramatically reducing the opportunities for direct communication. Raoul McLaughlin investigates.
What Did the Romans Do For Us?
David Mattingly says it’s time to rethink the current orthodoxy and question whether Roman rule was good for Britain.
Richard, Earl of Cornwall crowned King of the Romans
Richard Cavendish recalls May 17th, 1257.