Written for Timetravelrome by Michel Gybels The god Mithras originated in Persia but was recovered by the Romans. For more than three centuries the cult was an overwhelming success throughout the Roman Empire, attracting thousands of followers between the first and fourth centuries of our era. More recently, sanctuaries have been discovered at Ostia in Italy, Mariana in Corsica, Kempraten in Switzerland, Alba [...]
The Roman road between Boulogne-sur-Mer (France) and Cologne (Germany) is nowadays called Via Belgica. However, it was never known by this name in Roman times. The name appeared in the early 20th century as archaeologists were trying to reconstruct the Roman road system in the province of Germania Inferior. The construction of this road is generally credited to Marcus Agrippa, who was then [...]
Written by Michel Gybels for Time Travel Rome Situated on the north bank of the River Creuse in central Gaul, the city of Argentomagus (meaning ‘money market’) was already a local centre before the Romans arrived around 50 BC. The Romans built a bridge across the river and Argentomagus became a thriving center of trade in the second and third centuries AD. The [...]
The Villa of Nennig was discovered by chance in 1852: its discovery is due to a peasant digging a pit in his garden intended for the conservation of vegetables. The Archaeological Society of Treves, warned of the find of Roman remains, hastened to acquire the land and erected a temporary protective construction. The ruins of the villa are noted for their exceptional mosaics, [...]
Occupying a strategic position at the confluence of the rivers Moselle and Seille, Metz was founded as a Celtic hillfort belonging to the Mediomatrici tribe. Later the city was located on a crossroads of important Roman roads going from Lyon to Trier and from Reims to Strasbourg. As Divodurum Mediomatricorum, it grew into an important city with at its peak a population estimated [...]
Originally established by Celtic-Germanic tribes of the region, Augusta Treverorum, or "City of Augustus in the land of the Treveri," was so named during the reign of Emperor Augustus, who visited the region around 15 BC. It became an influential settlement, in part thanks to its location along the Moselle River Valley and also because it was a hub of fiscal and military [...]
Author: Marian Vermeulen Modern day Corfu, known in ancient times as Korkyra, is another island with a history steeped in mythology, from its origin story to its place in several more famous legends. Korkyra was one of the three most powerful maritime nations in the Classical world, joining Athens and Corinth in that distinction. Its original inhabitants are not well understood by historians, [...]
Author: Marian Vermeulen Originally a Carthaginian city, Sicca became Sicca Veneria under Roman rule, due to its important shrine to Venus. The city was built on a cliff face, leading to its modern name, which translates to “the rock.” Over the years, Sicca was the sight of several fascinating incidents, including the mercenary wars, the first engagement between Marius and Jugurtha, and even [...]
Author: Marian Vermeulen. The specific origins of Antium remain unclear, but archaeologists believe that the Volsci were not the first residents. Later Roman myths would claim that Anteias, the son of Odysseus, founded Antium in the aftermath of Troy. The Romans found themselves in frequent conflict with the Volsci tribe, who made their capital in the city. Antium was a center point in [...]
"Aphrodite went to Cyprus, to Paphos, where her precinct is and fragrant altar, and passed into her sweet-smelling temple."- Homer Author of the post: Marian Vermeulen Before there were the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus, the first deities were the Titans, sons and daughters of Gaia, Mother Earth, by Uranus, the sky. Yet Gaia grew angry with Uranus for imprisoning her other [...]