Search
Search Results
Image
Map of the First Crusade, 1096 - 1099
The First Crusade (1096–1099) marked the beginning of a series of military campaigns launched by Western European Christians in response to Pope Urban II's appeal at the Council of Clermont (1095). The goal was to recapture Jerusalem and...
Image
Map of the First Three Crusades & the 12th-Century Outremer
These maps illustrate the trajectory of the early Crusades (1096–1192), a series of military campaigns launched by the medieval Latin Church with the declared goal of reclaiming the Holy Land—centered between the Mediterranean Sea and the...
Image
Battle of Immae
Artist's impression of the Battle of Immae (272 CE), between Roman forces led by Emperor Aurelian (270-275 CE) and Palmyrene forces led by Queen Zenobia (r. 267-273 CE). The battle resulted in a Roman victory and the conquest of Antioch.
Image
Mosaic of the Judgement of Paris
A Roman floor mosaic depicting the judgement of Paris, Antioch, Syria. 115-150 CE. (Louvre, Paris)
Article
Roman Daily Life
From the early days of the Roman Republic through the volatile reigns of such ignoble emperors as Caligula, Nero, and Commodus, the Roman Empire continued to expand, stretching its borders to encompass the entire Mediterranean Sea as well...
Article
The Crusades: Causes & Goals
The Crusades were a series of military campaigns organised by Christian powers in order to retake Jerusalem and the Holy Land back from Muslim control. There would be eight officially sanctioned crusades between 1095 CE and 1270 CE and many...
Article
Enemies of Rome in the 3rd Century CE - The Greatest Enemy of Rome was Rome Itself
It has been said that the greatest enemy of Rome was Rome itself, and this is certainly true of the period known as the Crisis of the Third Century (also known as the Imperial Crisis, 235-284). During this time of almost 50 years, over 20...
Article
The Siege of Acre, 1291 CE
The Siege of Acre in 1291 CE was the final fatal blow to Christian Crusader ambitions in the Holy Land. Acre had always been the most important Christian-held port in the Levant, but when it finally fell on 18 May 1291 CE to the armies of...
Article
Roman Games, Chariot Races & Spectacle
If there was one thing the Roman people loved it was spectacle and the opportunity of escapism offered by weird and wonderful public shows which assaulted the senses and ratcheted up the emotions. Roman rulers knew this well and so to increase...
Article
Herod the Great's Building Program
Herod the Great was the king of Judea from 37-4 BCE. As a client king of Rome, Herod's moniker as "Great" was due more to his grand building program throughout the eastern Mediterranean world. Herod's building program generally ran from 35...