Thanks to Laura Gibbs for originally sharing this story! Is your domus lacking style? Do you need to redecorate your cubiculum or latrina? A museum exhibit in the Netherlands can help.Through January 6, 2012, the Limburgs Museum Venlo presents IXEA: The Roman Store "IXEA: je Romeinse woonwarenhuis" - site in Dutch and German, an installation that combines displays of re-imagined Roman … [Read more...]
Is Rome’s Pantheon a Giant Sundial?
August 5, 2011 by · 1 Comment
One of the best preserved and most architecturally sophisticated Roman monuments, the Pantheon has remained in constant use and inspired numerous other buildings throughout its 2,000-year history. Yet the initial purpose and unique design of the imposing structure, which boasts a columned portico and the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, continues to intrigue historians. Though … [Read more...]
Did the Climate Create the Fall of Rome?
January 14, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
An interesting article has surfaced which asserts that unpredictable climate may have had a hand in bringing down the Roman empire in western Europe. The research was carried out examining samples from various types of trees, or employing the study of dendrochronology. The evidence points out that there were drastic climate changes each decade from 250 to 500 AD. The climate was shifting from … [Read more...]
What is Saturnalia?
December 11, 2010 by · 3 Comments
There is always much discussion and rumbling this time of year as to how we should approach the holiday season in a public setting like the kind provided by a public school. There is always some grumbling about possibly leaving someone out of the celebration or offending someone due to a student's religious beliefs. The beauty of teaching a subject like ancient Latin is that we don't have to worry … [Read more...]
Ancient Structures Collapsing at Pompeii
November 8, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
A structure used to train gladiators has recently fallen into rubble at Pompeii. Although this is a source of frustration and embarrassment for the Italian government, the situation begins to depict what is at stake here. Citing a lack of funding as part of the problem, the question expands and asks whose heritage is this? If we start losing buildings at Pompeii, one of the world's greatest … [Read more...]
Ancient Classical Port City Shines Along the Shores of Egypt
September 9, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Archaeologists have been unearthing an ancient port city that was accidentally discovered in Egypt some 20 years ago. It has yielded exciting results. Discovered in the city of Marina, Egypt, the site shows what life was like for a population of around 15,000 living in the ancient city of Leukaspis or Anthiphrae during the early portion of late antiquity. The city was almost completely wiped … [Read more...]
Ancient Sculptures Reveal True Colors
August 24, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
What is wrong with the stark white, yet powerfully subdued, sculptures from the past? The fact that we have associated classical sculpture with no color at all. As it turns out, art from the ancient world was splashed in astounding color. Your ancient world was, indeed, visible in high def. But don't take my word for it - read more about it and change your vision of the ancient … [Read more...]
The Roman Origins of Halloween: Updated
October 29, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
It seems that there is a bit more interest this year about the origins of Halloween. Maybe it is the fascination with its seemingly mysterious and ambiguous origins. Maybe it is simply just marketable as Halloween has grown into an industry in the United States. It is, however, a story worth examining as Halloween has become a social fixture. We outlined the Roman origins of Halloween over a … [Read more...]
This is Spartacus?!
August 3, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
A new show is slated to hit the tube in January, 2010. It will be on Starz and will give us another ultra-violent glimpse into the ancient Roman world. If the story is familiar to you, it should be. It was originally turned into a movie by director Stanley Kubrick, starring Kirk Douglas as the gladiator "Spartacus" who led a revolt in central Italy during the Servile Wars. Starz version of the … [Read more...]
Game Time: Mola
November 26, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
Here is an ancient Roman board game that I have taught my students - and they take to it with great enthusiasm! The game is called Mola, it is an ancient Roman board game that infuses strategy from several different games. It is part Tic-Tac-Toe, part Chess, and part Connect Four. Materials You will need the game board (which you can download here) and 9 tokens for each team (which you can … [Read more...]
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