Depictions of the eccentricities of Roman leaders were (and remain) interesting. But such leaders were often also dangerous, unpredictable and frightening.
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This has re-written our understanding of how Romans manufactured concrete.
More than 2,000 years ago, the depiction of living leaders on Roman coins caused similar ructions. It came at a time when the Roman republic was in trouble.
‘No kings’ would effectively be the watchword through the Roman republic’s entire history. ‘Rex’ was a word the Romans hated. It was short-hand for ‘tyranny’.
While Roman emperors dominated the institutions of state, they were still constrained by them.
Politicians like Cicero saw gladiators as vain and self-indulgent, while the true warriors engaged in wars of words.
This doomed romance ended abruptly in 44 BCE when Caesar was quite literally stabbed in the back (and from all sides) by his enemies in Rome. She pretty soon hooked up with one of his closest allies.
Hannibal remains a towering figure in military history, not only for his tactical brilliance but also for the profound impact he had on Rome. He continues to inspire military leaders today.
The inviolability of Vestals was predicated on their virginity, which entirely defined their social powers. The control of their sexuality was synonymous with the welfare and politics of the state.
Renaissance philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli dissected the threats authoritarian figures pose to representative government.
Although he privately disapproved of Caesar’s power, Cicero publicly supported him and Cicero also directly contributed to the end of the Roman Republic and the reign of Caesar’s nephew Augustus.
The tradition of a bride garbed in white weaves through two thousand years of history, influenced by the Romans – and Queen Victoria.
New research suggests ancient climate change shaped the fate of western civilisation.
With much public discussion of President Donald Trump as, potentially, a king, a scholar of Roman history and rhetoric sees 2,000-year-old parallels.
US law says the president can’t be indicted, an echo of ancient Roman law. The efforts Roman leader Julius Caesar made to maintain his immunity is a cautionary tale for America’s political system.
Top contributors
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Associate Professor in Ancient History, Macquarie University
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Professor of Ancient History, Macquarie University
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Visiting Fellow, School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Newcastle University
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Postdoctoral Faculty Fellow in Classical Studies, Temple University
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PhD Candidate in Classics and Archaeology, The University of Melbourne
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Assistant Curator for the Ohio State Historic Costume & Textiles Collection, Adjunct Instructor for the Columbus College of Art and Design, The Ohio State University
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Professor of Political Science, Tufts University
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Assistant Professor, Greek and Roman Studies, Carleton University
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Professor of History, Australian Catholic University
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Senior Lecturer in Classics, University of Tasmania
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Lecturer in Classics, University of Tasmania
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Professor of Religion and Classics, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
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Associate Professor of Classics, Wake Forest University