8 things you didn’t know about the Battle at Teutoburg Forest
In the year 9 AD, the Roman Empire suffered a devastating military defeat. In the dark forests of Germania, three entire legions were wiped out in the span of a…
The highest honor for a Roman general was only achieved three times
The Roman Empire had its military traditions, of course. Taking war trophies was among the highest achievements of a Roman soldier or officer. Capturing an enemy standard was high on…
Top 5 torture methods enjoyed by emperor Tiberius
Throughout the centuries, humans have been devising ingenious ways to torture and execute each other. Torture methods were used to force a confession for a crime, punish enemies or act…
This is what it was like to be a Roman soldier on holiday leave
Just like today, when it comes to leave, the leadership will reluctantly approve leave only when they’ve run out of excuses not to. In ancient Rome, if commeatus (leave) is…
This is what a well-earned retirement looked like for a Roman veteran
At its climax, the dominion of ancient Rome comprised one of the largest territories in history. Most of western and southern Europe, as well as the entire Mediterranean periphery, awoke…
This is how the Roman Empire structured its military
The Roman Empire had one of the best militaries of ancient times. It steamrolled over the Carthaginians, Greeks, Egyptians, Gauls, more than held their own against many other forces for centuries.
So, how did the world’s most powerful g…
This siege is one of Julius Caesar’s most spectacular victories
7 kingly facts about the life of Alexander the Great
It is the year 69 BC. A Roman man stands before the state of an ancient conqueror. The Roman weeps, realizing that at his age this conqueror was master of…
This is how the Praetorian Guard of Rome held so much power
Few military units have ever had the effect on world history as did the Praetorian Guard. From the foundation of the Roman Empire until the reign of Constantine in 306, the Praetorians protected – and sometimes controlled – the leader of the mos…
7 facts about the Gracchi Brothers of Rome
In the late second century BC, the Roman Republic seemed to be flourishing. After over a century of war with its ancient enemy Carthage, Rome now stood as the sole…