However, by the close of the second century AD and early part of the third century, the Empire’s monetary policies were playing havoc with the Empire’s agriculture production. These monetary problems were nothing compared to what transpired when weather became a factor after 235 AD and the end of Severan dynasty.   more »

Cleopatra: Last Queen of Egypt by Joyce Tyldesley, is out on February 7, published by Profile Books. It is Radio 4 Book of the Week starting on Monday.   more »

The ancient Romans may have mastered the art of building impressive aqueducts to deliver water across their empire, but modern day Italian engineers seem to be struggling with water retention, a study shows.   more »

Because pupils 'do the Romans' in Primary School, the emphasis is on 6 sites suitable for these ages.   more »

I haven't read the posts carefully, but at first glance they seem to be sound.   more »

The Romans followed the world’s oldest sea trade route from the 3rd Century B.C.E., till the 7th Century C.E., though their trading activities with India began to decline from the end of the 1st Century C.E. They came in search of textiles, gemstones, spices, ivory, sandalwood and the exotica of the East, not least its wealth of fauna. They brought with them coral, wine, silver and gold.   more »

A virtual reality show, where visitors control avatars who wander around the Via Flaminia as it may have once been, has opened in Rome.   more »

The slide show is here.   more »

If you don't mind visiting a freemasonry site, you'll find two nice photos of mason's tools here.   more »