Roman Empire

The Death of Caesar

A vivid portrait of one of history’s most momentous conspiracies.

When the Romans met the Christians

What was it like for a Roman to encounter a Christian for the first time? As the Empire reached its greatest extent, Pliny the Younger found himself face-to-face with members of the new religious group.

The Sons of Mars

The struggle for control of the straits dividing Sicily from southern Italy brought the two great empires of the Mediterranean, Carthage and Rome, head to head. It was a world in which ruthless mercenaries prospered.

Behind Every Great Roman

On the women who made imperial Rome.

To Each, Their Own God

A study of cultish rituals in Roman Britain reveals a cross-fertilisation of religions.

‘Brutus: The Noble Conspirator’ by Kathryn Tempest review

Brutus: The Noble Conspirator by Kathryn Tempest is a meticulously researched, beautifully written biography of Julius Caesar’s assassin.

Brutus: Character Assassination

The man who conspired to kill Julius Caesar was not quite the friend to Romans and countrymen that his legendary status suggests.

Charlemagne, Muhammad and the Fall of Rome

Henri Pirenne transformed the way historians think about the end of the Classical world and the beginning of the Middle Ages.

Stele representing the "paiment of taxes", Jaumont limestone, 2nd-3rd century, Metz. Kept in Musées de la Cour d'Or

Roman Loans

Dealing with debt in the Roman Empire.

A stela with Oscan inscription from Pompeii, first century BC, reading: ‘Vibius Popidius, son of Vibius, chief magistrate, was in charge of this work and the same man approved it.’ (The Trustees of the British Museum)

The Language of the Roman Empire

What language did the Romans speak? Latin was used throughout the Roman Empire, but it shared space with a host of other languages and dialects...