Livia the Poisoner: Genesis of an Historical Myth
The figure of Livia preserved by Roman literary tradition is fraught with ambiguity: on the one hand, she embodies the virtues that made the women of ancient Rome exemplary, to the point that even her most virulent detractors could not help acknowledging her chastity, prudence, wisdom, and loyalty to her husband
Heracles and the Foundings of Sparta and Rome
The Greeks and Romans were as defined by their religion as they were by their language. Naturally, the objects of Greco-Roman theology, the gods, heroes, and stories that were told of them, were seminal for the political structure of the ancient world that they permeated.
The Ancient Library of Alexandria: A Model for Classical Scholarship in the Age of Million Book Libraries
Like a karstic river, the library of Alexandria resurfaces time after time4, and not only in
Animal spectacula of the Roman Empire
Although gladiatorial spectacles in ancient Rome have been the subject of a great deal of recent scholarly literature, comparatively little attention has been paid to the contemporary animal spectacles…
Romans and Goths in late antique Gaul: asepcts of political and cultural assimilation in the Fifth Century AD
From the fifth century AD onwards, the history of the Roman empire is often associated with the so-called
Pharmacological practices of ancient Egypt
Egyptian drug therapy can be regarded as having evolved from a system rooted in magic to one of empiric observation applied within a central ideology of health and disease.
The Witches of Thessaly
The classical Greeks and later Roman writers favoured Thessaly as the location of sorcery, magical ritual and witchcraft.
Romulus, Remus and the Foundation of Rome
Besides Aeneas, there were always Romulus and Remus. The existence of this second foundation myth posed two important problems to scholars. How strong were its credentials, and how should it be analysed?
Scary Stories of the Ancient Greeks and Romans
Centuries before movie and television audiences thrilled to tales of werewolves, vampires and wizards and Halloween became the second biggest celebration of the year, the ancient Greeks and Romans were spinning scary stories about monsters, ghosts and the afterlife
Hemlock Poisoning and the Death of Socrates: Did Plato Tell the Truth?
It is a remarkable account, rich in emotive power and in clinical detail. But is it true?