Free Republic

Discover Rome's little-known, grand sister city, right in the middle of Europe. 🏟🏛️ Autun is a small town in Burgundy. But not even 2000 years ago, it was France’s second largest city. Known as, "Augustodunum," after Augustus, the famous Roman emperor, it was twice as big as Paris, and the oldest center of Christianity in France, with far reaching influence. Considered a "sister" to Rome, Autun was miraculously built in just a few decades to replace the ancient, mythical capital of the Aedui: Bibracte. Rome's Mirror Sister: The Hidden Legacy of Autun - Full Documentary | 52:20 Easy Documentary |...

The chestnut trees of Europe tell a hidden story charting the fortunes of ancient Rome and the legacy it left in the continent's forests. The ancient Romans left an indelible imprint on the world they enveloped into their empire. The straight, long-distance roads they built can still be followed beneath the asphalt of some modern highways. They spread aqueducts, sewers, public baths and the Latin language across much of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. But what's perhaps less well known is the surprising way they transformed Europe's forests. ... Romans had something of a penchant for sweet chestnut...

According to an Associated Press report, construction workers renovating a soccer field in the Simmering neighborhood of Vienna uncovered an ancient mass grave containing as many as 150 bodies, probably those of soldiers killed during a violent clash between the Roman army and Germanic tribes. It is the earliest evidence of fighting between the two groups along the Roman Empire's northern frontier. At least one skeleton was confirmed to belong to a Roman soldier and further testing is slated to determine the identities of the other combatants. All of the individuals, who were male and between the ages of 20...

An ordinary spring day quickly became extraordinary after a nature-loving metal detectorist unearthed a cache of ancient treasure. Marius Mangeac confirmed the discovery to Fox News Digital. He said he found the hoard in a field near Letca Veche, a small village in southern Romania.. Mangeac said that he found the coins “on a beautiful Saturday that didn’t foreshadow anything of what was to come.” “I took my detector and went out alone, as I often do, for exercise and to relax in the fields and forests,”.. “I didn’t think this day would surprise me and bring me face to...

A major rescue excavation in Kaiseraugst, northern Switzerland, has revealed a substantial Roman road complete with porticoes, alongside poignant infant burials and a collection of intriguing artifacts, including a remarkably rare bronze panther statuette...The extensive excavation, conducted by the Aargau Cantonal Archaeology Department between May 2024 and March 2025, was necessitated by an upcoming construction project involving the development of two previously undeveloped plots for multi-family housing. Situated within the lower town of ancient Augusta Raurica, the site's proximity to a known Late Roman burial ground prompted meticulous planning, informed by earlier geophysical surveys in 2019, 2021, and 2023. This...

Dive into the mysterious and fascinating world of the Etruscans, one of the most enigmatic civilizations of ancient Italy. This comprehensive one-hour video takes you through various aspects of Etruscan history, culture, and society. From the Orientalizing Period to the Etruscan artisans, from their unique tombs to their influence on Rome, every segment provides valuable insights and intriguing details. Starting with an introduction to the Orientalizing Period, you’ll discover the early influences on Etruscan civilization. Learn about the origins of the Etruscans, followed by an exploration of Etruscan society and the skilled artisans who shaped their culture. Discover the impressive...

Nearly 2,000 years after it was buried in Mount Vesuvius ash, a charred Roman scroll has revealed its author and title without even being unrolled. Title revealed on PHerc. 172 using ink detection model. - Vesuvius Challenge The scroll, named PHerc. 172, is one of hundreds unearthed in the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum, which was entombed in volcanic debris when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, one of history’s most infamous eruptions The scroll was scanned in July at Diamond Light Source, the UK’s national synchrotron facility in Oxfordshire. Unusually, traces of ink appeared in the X-ray images, enabling...

At Vindolanda, small, portable phalli made of bone or metal were commonly worn as pendants around the neck, to ward off evil and aid fertility.According to experts, this particular object's smooth surface suggests the owner touched it often for good luck...Vindolanda Charitable Trust posted the find to its Facebook page, where it was met with some hilarious comments...It is now at an on-site laboratory where it will be cleaned before going being researched further and going on public display at Vindolanda in 2026.Just under an inch (2.5cm) in length, the phallic charm was constructed out of jet, a dark, semi-precious...

Dozens of witnesses reportedly looked on in horror as a U.S. tourist visiting Rome screamed in pain after impaling himself on a metal fence at the Colosseum. The man — a 47-year-old American citizen living in Taiwan — was stabbed in the spine while attempting to climb over the historic monument's fence. He was possibly attempting to get a better view, according to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero. Bystanders who saw the horrific event called for help as the tourist, stuck on the fence, screamed until he lost consciousness. Law enforcement and paramedics quickly arrived at the scene, but it took...

An American tourist in Rome impaled himself on a metal fence at the Colosseum while possibly trying to take a selfie — screaming in pain as he was left helplessly dangling for more than 20 minutes. The unidentified visitor, a 47-year-old US man based in Taiwan, pierced his spine and needed 80 stitches after the Friday afternoon horror at the Piazza del Colosseo, according to the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero. It took paramedics more than 20 minutes to remove the man from the metal railing. He screamed till he lost consciousness and then hung lifelessly from the fence in horrifying...

Discovered in the sandy countryside near Oxyrhynchus, the document offers a rare glimpse into the structured world of professional athletes during Roman rule. This Greek text, preserved by Egypt's arid climate, reveals the administrative side of ancient athletic organizations and highlights the enduring influence of Greek cultural practices in Roman Egypt.This small archaeological discovery from many years ago is a living piece of history that shows us the love for sports that people in Ancient Greece and Rome had. This is why they were so meticulous and organized, in a way very similar to today's gym memberships...The letter mentions someone...

For a short while now I have been aware of a significant bank and ditch cutting through a significant part of the landscape. It cuts through a Roman Road, so I wondered if anyone knows anything about it. Has anyone dug here, can we learn more about it on site. Turns out this could well be one of the most important features in southern Britain. Why ever are we not talking about this more? When Britain was Divided East and West | 20:09 Paul Whitewick | 174K subscribers | 21,195 views | April 27, 2025

Former MSNBC host Joy Reid recently delivered a peculiar history lesson to her social media audience. In her mind a reproach to Donald Trump, Reid warned that the Roman Empire “died because it wasn’t diverse enough,” implying that sticking with “just white folks” leads to inevitable civilizational decline. If history were written by cable news soundbites, we might soon learn that Napoleon lost Waterloo because he lacked a DEI department.In reality, Rome didn’t fall because of a lack of diversity. Nor is Europe today crumbling because of too many white people. Societies fail for many…Former MSNBC host Joy Reid recently...

A sixth-century "mini" ice age may have been "the straw that broke the camel's back" that led to the final disintegration of the Western Roman Empire, a new study claims...By studying rocks carried by icebergs from Greenland all the way to Iceland's west coast, a team of researchers has uncovered what they believe is more evidence for the severity of this mini ice age. Their findings, published April 8 in the journal Geology, point to the prolonged cooling being a key factor in the eventual decline of the Western Roman Empire — although not all historians agree...Economic crisis, government corruption,...

Today, AD joins architect Nick Potts in London to uncover the city's ancient Roman origins. Before London, there was Londinium, the capital of Roman Britain, and although it was abandoned by AD 450, the influence and some remnants of the ancient city still remain. Join Potts as he explores how modern London rose up from Roman ruins. An Entire Roman City Is Hidden Beneath London | Walking Tour | 10:01 Architectural Digest | 7.37M subscribers | 192,282 views | April 22, 2025

Only around 5% of the world’s population have hazel eyes. Yet a 2009 study found that 55.2% of their Spanish cohort had hazel-green eyes. This eye color is also more common in Portugal than the global average. But why is there such a concentration of hazel eyes in the Iberian peninsula compared to most other parts of the world? And is the evolution of hazel eyes connected to the genetic history of Iberia? Now there are a two main types of hazel eyes. Iberian DNA and the Evolution of Hazel Eyes... | 15:00 Celtic History Decoded | 48.5K subscribers |...

Anthropologist Richard Rudgley explores the history of the Celtic world and reveals the Celtic tradition to be a crucial part of what makes a Brit a True Brit. From Germany to the far west of Ireland, by way of Gaul, Pictish Scotland and England under Roman occupation, Rudgley takes a 5,000-mile journey of discovery that starts around 1,000 BC and ends in the present day. He uncovers remarkable archaeological evidence that puts a brand new light on the savagery and civilisation of an often misunderstood European culture. Where Did the Celts Really Come From? | 48:22 Our History | 883K...

German archaeologists have unearthed a thriving local community located near a Roman camp far beyond the borders of the Roman frontier, La Brüjula Verde reports. The legionary camp of Anreppen was built along the Lippe River in the first century a.d. and occupied briefly as Rome attempted to expand its territory further into the province of Germania. Initial archaeological investigation eight years ago uncovered a single isolated farmstead near the camp, but recent excavations have shown that the settlement was far more substantial than originally thought. Several farmsteads have now been identified and archaeologists have recovered artifacts demonstrating that local...

Every Easter, children and adults alike eagerly search for colorful eggs hidden by the Easter Bunny on Sunday morning. Whether made of chocolate, painted with bright designs, or stuffed with little surprises, Easter eggs are a beloved tradition that bring so much joy to the beloved holiday. But have you ever stopped to wonder where this quirky custom comes from? Why do we associate eggs with Easter, and how did this tradition evolve from old rituals to the modern-day candy-fueled extravaganza we know and love? The answer is as layered as a perfectly decorated egg.

Researchers are analyzing 4,000 Roman stamped bricks from Trier to uncover insights into ancient construction, economy, and urban development using both archaeological and scientific techniques...Trier reached its peak in the 4th century AD, when it served as a residence for Roman emperors. Monumental structures like the Imperial Baths and the Basilica of Constantine still stand as evidence of this prosperous period. These buildings were constructed using fired bricks in various formats, which were employed in walls, roofing, and heating systems...A key project focus is the spatial distribution of the bricks, which will help researchers trace the architectural development of Augusta...