Writing about same-sex relationships and gender beyond a strict male-female binary was more common in ancient Greece and Rome than students assume, a scholar writes.
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Articles on Ancient Rome
Displaying 1 - 20 of 90 articles
Following a number of films featuring debauched emperors, it is nowadays commonplace to associate the Greek-Roman antiquity with orgies. But is this historically accurate?
From snake-like creatures with claws to jealous virgin ghosts, female monsters have long been a part of women’s lore. Such figures were Intimately tied to childbirth, sexuality and child mortality.
Death was always a possibility, but gladiator combat was controlled by referees.
Despite wine’s centrality to the everyday life of the Romans, the ancient sources continuously attest it was a problematic drink when consumed by women.
There may have been a main god or goddess at many temple sites, but there was a clear tendency to worship a range of deities.
The modern soundtrack and dialogue feels far more anachronistic and intrusive than the diverse casting.
The gate has been built on the site of an actual Roman gateway, thought to date to the invasion of Britain in AD 43.
This exciting newly excavated complex illustrates how elite Romans fused utilitarian function with luxurious decoration and theatre to fashion their social and political status.
Collecting choice Latin lines is easy – the difficulty is trying to work out what they add up to. And women, in particular, come off badly in this collection of Latin’s greatest hits.
The Colchester vase contains the remains a male of about 40 years of age and not of local origin. Could he have been a gladiator?
Even if Ovid leaves it out, the female sex organ is well-attested in Greek and Latin medical literature.
There would have been plenty of time during the long, dark, Northern nights for ancient Roman shoemakers to indulge in side hustles.
The recently discovered 2,000 year old Roman dildo barely makes a dint in the long-standing history of sex-toys and aids.
Sexuality in Ancient Rome was more preoccupied with power dynamics than it was with gender – as an expert in visual cultures of sexuality explains.
The idea of virgin birth has been part of Christianity since the start, but its significance has shifted over time.
Rutland’s Roman villa caused a media storm when it was first discovered in 2020 – now researchers have returned to uncover even more surprises.
Disregarded as ‘fakes’ for decades, new analysis of coins bearing the face of a mysterious emperor is providing answers about a heady gap in Roman history.
The British crown is the only surviving European monarchy that retains a coronation.
Just in time for this year’s Nobel Prize announcements, here’s how the symbolism of a plant associated with the god Apollo lives on in modern-day laureates.
Top contributors
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Associate Professor of Classics and Head of the Centre for Classical Studies, Australian National University
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Assistant Professor of Classics, University of Cambridge
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Honorary Professor, The University of Queensland
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Lecturer, Classics, University of Glasgow
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Associate Professor of Classics, College of the Holy Cross
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Professeur d'histoire ancienne, Université de Lorraine
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Lecturer in Classical Studies, Institute of Classical Studies, University of London; Assistant Director of Archaeology, British School at Rome; Honorary Postdoctoral Fellow, Macquarie University, Macquarie University
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Professor of Classical Studies, Brandeis University
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Lecturer in Roman Archaeology and Art, Royal Holloway University of London
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Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Melbourne
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Professor, Department of Classics and Ancient History, University of Sydney
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Lecturer in Ancient History, Cardiff University
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Head, Public Engagement, Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney
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Paul Eliadis Chair of Classics and Ancient History, The University of Queensland
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Emeritus Professor of Roman Archaeology, University of Birmingham
