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Articles

The Roman state existed in practice for XIII centuries, being the power which was impacting the history. Therefore, I decided that I would tell the history of ancient Rome in the articles below, which will not necessarily cover only the Eternal City.

I encourage you to send articles and point out any corrections or inaccuracies.

Catilinarian conspiracy

Catilinarian conspiracy was the events of 63 BCE, when the impoverished politician Lucius Sergius Catilina tried to overthrow the rule of the consuls for a given year: Marcus Tullius Cicero and Gaius Antonius Hybrida and seize power. The description of events has survived to our times due to numerous source texts, especially Cicero’s speeches.

Cicero denouncing Catiline, Cesare Maccari

Crisis of Roman military in middle of 2nd century BCE

The history of ancient Rome is widely associated with the successes of the invincible legions that crushed the armies of the enemies of the Empire. In such situations, many people think of Caesar’s exploits under Alesia, Scipio under Zama or Marius under Vercellae. This very simplified image of ancient Rome does not take into account the broad context of the history of Roman military. Few people remember that the Roman state also experienced in its history moments of crisis in many areas, including military aspects.

Soldiers of the Roman Republic

Roman rams – bureaucracy without limits

Researchers have been looking for relics of Punic Wars for years. Underwater archaeology is very helpful in this. The seabed off the coast of Sicily has been explored for years, in the Aegean Islands (currently Aegadian Islands, or simply Aegadian Islands), where March 10, 241 BCE, during the First Punic War there was a battle between Carthage’s fleet and the Roman fleet. In the course of the work, numerous rams (rostrum) were discovered and excavated, once menacingly mounted on the beaks of Roman and Carthaginian warships. Since they were cast in bronze, the rams did not corrode and remained in excellent condition.

Clash of the roman fleet | Photo: Giuseppe Rava from Osprey's book, The  Ships of Republican Rome

Earthquake from 63 CE

According to Seneca the Younger, on February 5, 63 CE1, a strong earthquake occurred near Vesuvius. As it turned out later, it was a signal about the increased activity of the volcano and the announcement of a much worse cataclysm, which in 79 CE. destroyed, among others Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Damage after an earthquake in CE 62

Roman war fleet

The construction of the ship began with the construction of the hull plating from boards, usually pine. Then a light skeleton was placed inside and the whole structure was reinforced with thick ropes. Boards were connected with specially hewn pins or grooves, practically no nails or other metal fasteners were used.

Clash of the roman fleet | Photo: Giuseppe Rava from Osprey's book, The  Ships of Republican Rome

Roman Empire at time of its greatest prosperity

Roman Empire, expanding from the 3rd century BCE to the 5th century CE, was one of the few in ancient history that covered such a huge area. It is also sometimes called a world state for this reason. In the first and second centuries, the Romans ruled huge areas around the Mediterranean Sea. This huge state can only be compared with the Chinese state during the Han dynasty (202 BCE 220 CE) and the former state of Emperor Szy-Huang-Ti.

Roman Empire in 117 CE, At the end of Trajan's reign, Rome reached its peak territorial extent.

Copper coinage, i.e. ancient chronology

The division of time into two eras is widely known and is not controversial. When subjected to a critical analysis, a range of questions and doubts arise that I would like to present in this article.

Thomas Cole, Interior of the Colosseum

Keys and locks in ancient Rome

Hardly anyone wonders how the ancients once closed their homes, chests or cells. As it turns out, a modern key or lock is an ancient invention. For example, castles made of strong wood were already used in Egypt or Greece. However, most of the locksmith’s “patents” come from Rome, which largely took over knowledge from the Etruscans.

Different types of Roman keys

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