Pontifex Maximus: Did you mean...?

The people of ancient Rome loved spectacles and, lucky for them, they could often be entertained by lavish public shows. The emperors of Rome knew of their people's love of spectacle so a way that they could...

Roman architecture was nothing if not eclectic. From ingenious underfloor heating to gravity-defying arches, the Romans added to the Classical repertoire such grandiose structures as the triumphal arch, basilica...

The daily life of Roman citizens, at least in the big cities, was anything but dull. Assuming one could get away from one's civic duties and household chores, there were many activities available to distract and entertain...

Daily life ancient Rome villa insula domus atrium compluvium cubiculum culina impluvium lararium peristylium posticum tablinum taberna triclinium vestibulum paterfamilias materfamilias Circus Maximus factions amphitheater...

Fragmented mould-blown beaker with a circus scene and the inscription 'vade Pyramus' (meaning 'go Pyramus!'), a renowned charioteer from Pompeii. It also shows the spina (central barrier) of the Circus Maximus in the middle...

A silver denarius with Trajan (r. 98-117 CE) on the obverse side. Here on the reverse side, the inscriptions demonstrate the major achievements of the emperor. They read as such: PM-TRP-COSVI-PP-SPQR. These...

The house of the Vestal Virgins is one of the most famous sites in the Roman Forum area. Six Vestals cared for the sacred flame of the Temple of Vesta and many other sacred duties, for 30...

The Roman army, famed for its discipline, organisation, and innovation in both weapons and tactics, allowed Rome to build and defend a huge empire which for centuries would dominate the Mediterranean world and beyond. Overview...

The Punic Wars were a series of conflicts fought between Carthage and Rome between 264 BCE and 146 BCE. The name Punic comes from the word Phoenician (Phoinix in the Greek, Poenus from Punicus in Latin) as applied to the citizens...

In Roman mythology, Romulus and his twin brother Remus were the founders of the city of Rome. They were the children of Rhea Silvia and Mars (or in some variations the demi-god hero Hercules) and their story is recorded by many...