Anyone familiar with Greek myth knows that any hero worth his salt had to make a visit to the underworld. However, the afterlife was not an unfamiliar concept to any of the cultures of the ancient world. In fact, ancient peoples were probably more sure that the soul survived bodily death than some in the […]
Category: Rome
Locusta the Poisoner
Rome was a rough and tumble place. Even in the golden years of the Pax Romana where everyone was supposed to gather around and celebrate being in the glory of the Roman Empire. Political intrigue was rife and there was more drama than Days of Our Lives even when Marlena was possessed by the devil. […]
The Etruscans
Before the Romans, there was another advanced civilization living in central Italy- the Etruscans. Not much is known about them, and what we do know comes from the Romans, who threw off their rule to become independent. Therefore, most of our view of them are colored by Roman attitudes, which were less than favorable. Who […]
The Gracchi Brothers- Part I- Tiberius
The two Gracchi brothers, Tiberius and Gaius, were significant players in Roman History because of what they fought and died for. Their deaths marked the first blood spilled in the Roman civil wars that led to the end of the Roman Republic. They came of age at a time when the Republic was unsteady and […]
Myth of the founding of Rome
Rome. The Eternal City. But how eternal is it? It was an ancient city in ancient times. There are conflicting myths as to how Rome was founded and these grew as Rome grew in size and power. Let’s take a look at these myths and see if we can get to the bottom of where […]