Roman Empire

Silent witness: Ovid, engraving after a coin, undated. Mary Evans Picture Library.

The Birth of Ovid

Writing from exile, the Roman poet Ovid revealed his birth date as 24 March 43 BC. But on the cause of said exile, he was unusually reticent.

Relief showing the construction of a building using a crane, from the tomb of the Haterii, Rome, first century AD. Universal Art Archive/Alamy Stock Photo.

Ancient Rome’s Failed Building Projects

Alongside the great successes of Roman architectural feats were expensive failures. Who was to blame?

Theoderic’s tomb in Ravenna by Robert von Spalart, c. 1804-1811. Wellcome Collection. Public Domain.

‘Theoderic the Great’ by Hans-Ulrich Wiemer review

In Theoderic the Great: King of Goths, Ruler of Romans, Hans-Ulrich Wiemer fully reinforces his vision of Theoderic as a man grappling with challenges which still confront us today.

Bishop John Chrysostom preaching before the Roman empress Eudoxia, by Joseph Wencker, c.1880. Bridgeman Images

Byzantine Bishops at War with Women

Early Christianity brought new opportunities for Roman and Byzantine women – it also brought new reasons to vilify them.

Marble portrait head of the Emperor Constantine I, the first Christian ruler of Rome, c. 325-370. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Public Domain.

How Did Christianity Change the Roman Empire?

By 380, a small cult originating near the periphery of the Roman Empire had grown to become its official religion: Christianity. Things would change – but in what ways?

The Colossi of Memnon. c. 1890-95. Rijksmuseum. Public Domain.

Pax by Tom Holland review

An account of the Roman Empire at its height amounts to a marvellous vademecum.

A Life of Retirement

The Roman veterans village of Karanis in Egypt did not change the world. Its ordinariness is what makes it remarkable.

‘Assassination of Julius Caesar’, by Vincenzo Camuccini, c. 1793-96. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Public Domain.

What was the Impact of Julius Caesar’s Murder?

Julius Caesar was killed on 15 March 44 BC. We’ve heard about the ‘Ides of March’ – but what happened next?

Bust of Marcus Licinius Crassus, fifth century AD. Bridgeman Images.

‘Crassus’ by Peter Stothard review

Crassus: The First Tycoon by Peter Stothard follows Marcus Licinius Crassus on the Roman road to disaster in Parthia.

Frieze panel showing triumphant Romans carrying the seven-branched menorah from the Temple of Jerusalem from the Arch of Titus, Rome © Werner Forman Archive/Getty Images.

Jerusalem Burning

When Roman forces burned the Temple in Jerusalem in AD 70, the Flavian dynasty thought it had defeated the Jewish god in the name of Jupiter. It was mistaken.