Curiosities of ancient Rome (People)
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Martina – witch and poisoner
Without a doubt, the most notorious Roman poisoner was Lucusta, who operated at Nero’s court. However, she was not the only woman to engage in this dark occupation (or at least to be suspected of it). The eastern part of ... Read more
Cicero in Cilicia: governor by force and appointment
In 51 BCE, Marcus Tullius Cicero, Rome’s greatest orator and one of its leading intellectuals, was reluctant to travel east to assume the office of governor of Cilicia. For a man whose entire life revolved around the political intrigues of ... Read more
Hypatia of Alexandria – A Scholar in the Shadow of Religious and Political Transformations
In the transitional period between antiquity and the Middle Ages, when Christianity was consolidating its position as the state religion, events occurred that left a profound mark on the history of culture and science. One of the most renowned figures ... Read more
Plutarch’s mention of Domitian
“Lives” are one of the most fascinating works of antiquity. Its author, Plutarch of Chaeronea (ca. 46 – ca. 120 CE), compiles the profiles of famous Greeks and Romans. When describing these characters, he focuses mainly on their actions, character ... Read more
Asinius Pollio – creator of first public library in Rome
Gaius Asinius Pollio (ca. 76 BCE – ca. 4 CE) was a Roman military officer, politician, supporter of Julius Caesar, and writer. Pollio’s greatest achievement was founding the first public library in Rome – the Atrium Libertatis (“Temple of Liberty”) ... Read more
Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus – strict strategist who subjugated Macedonia
Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus (ca. 228 – 160 BCE), an outstanding Roman commander and consul, made history thanks to his victory over Macedon at the Battle of Pydna in 168 BCE. He ended the Third Macedonian War and suppressed the ... Read more
Columella – Roman author on agriculture
Columella, or Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella, was a Roman agronomic writer who lived in the 1st century CE and is one of the most important authors of ancient texts on agriculture. His work De re rustica (On Agriculture), consisting of ... Read more
Plutarch of Chaeronea – famous Greek biographer
Plutarch of Chaeronea, who lived at the turn of the 1st and 2nd centuries CE, is one of the most famous writers, historians and philosophers of ancient Greece. His famous “Parallel Lives” is a collection of biographies that compare famous ... Read more
Quintus Sulpicius Maximus – poet of great talent who ended tragically
Quintus Sulpicius Maximus is an extraordinary figure from ancient Rome whose story is both inspiring and tragic. In 94 CE a young boy, only eleven years old, amazed Rome with his enormous knowledge and poetic talent, taking part in a ... Read more
Soranos of Ephesus – father of modern gynecology and pediatrics
Soranos of Ephesus (98-138 CE) is one of the greatest physicians of antiquity, known mainly as a pioneer in the fields of gynecology, obstetrics and pediatrics. He lived in the times of the Roman Empire and was active in Alexandria ... Read more
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