The so-called Tellus panel of the Ara Pacis
The Ara Pacis Augustae was one of the significant structures that emerged under Augustus’ rule and the highly allegorical ‘Tellus’ panel is a testament to the artistry that went into the construction.
The so-called Tellus panel of the Ara Pacis
The Ara Pacis Augustae was one of the significant structures that emerged under Augustus’ rule and the highly allegorical ‘Tellus’ panel is a testament to the artistry that went into the construction.
While we’ve been podcasting about ancient Rome since 2013 (!) our love for history goes much further back in time. From a love of the ancient world on film from the epics of Hollywood, to the adventures of Indiana Jones, Hercules, and Xena. If there was a taste of the ancient world, we were there to savour it.
No one becomes a historian overnight, it’s long years of training in refining your critical thinking skills, parsing sources, comparing accounts, and learning how to draw out plausible conclusions from the fragments that remain. There’s a real pleasure in reading and thinking through the problems of the ancient world and of course we’re influenced by our context today. That awareness is part of what makes us the kind of scholars and teachers we are. Thanks for joining on our journey as we trace Rome’s history from the founding of the City!
Dionysus on a panther
May your #MosaicMonday be as exciting as the god Dionysus’ who is enjoying a casual saunter on a panther, who - if not tame - is resisting the urge to bite at this moment.
This mosaic can be found in the Archaeological Museum of Delos and was found in the House of Masks on Delos island. The mosaic is thought to date from c. 120–80 BCE.
️The knucklebone players
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This #FrescoFriday we travel to Herculaneum. The scene has been labelled revealing Phoebe (the Titan) trying to pacify Leto (her daughter) and Niobe; on the ground two of the Niobids, Ileira and Aglaia play knucklebones.
The scene is thought to relate to the great wrath that fractured the friendship of Leto and Niobe. Niobe praised her own children and mocked Leto’s. Leto wasn’t having it and asked her children (Apollo and Artemis no less) to take revenge. Ileira and Aglaia play without seeming to realise the tragedy that is about to befall them.
Brand New Episode – A Campaign in No Way Memorable
392 BCE, the year that went down in history for “a campaign in no way memorable”. Ah, that Livy, he paints quite a picture, doesn’t he? The campaign in question involved our consuls we take you through all the details plus a new edition of ‘Meanwhile in Sicily’…
https://partialhistorians.com/2025/08/07/episode-164-a-campaign-in-now-way-memorable/
Fragments of the Great Eleusinian Relief
This #ReliefWednesday we travel to the sanctuary of Demeter at Eleusis via Rome. These Augustan era fragments come together to a scene thought to include Demeter to the left; Persephone to the right; between them is Triptolemos, who was sent by Demeter to teach men how to cultivate grain.
Talk about the Vestal Virgins? Dr G is in! Catch the conversation over on Betwixt the Sheets
This #MosaicMonday we travel metaphorically to the Bardo Museum in Tunis to see this beautiful marine scene with what looks to be a goddess holding a rope. I’m not familiar with this iconography, but have seen this scene repeated in other mosaics, so if you know what’s going on here, I’d love to learn more.
The act of painting
This #FrescoFriday we travel to Herculaneum and this intriguing scene. A figure with a sceptre and sword sits on a stool watching a female figure (potentially a Muse) who appears to paint something underneath a tragic mask. The mask itself seems to be painted on a free-standing block of stone. Behind the mask stands another figure.
Ancient Roman Phallus
The embracing emperors
Diocletian and Maximian are shown in unified leadership of the Roman empire this #ReliefWednesday. Both have stepped down from their chariots to greet each other.
This #MosaicMonday we celebrate the Horkstow Mosaic which is one of the largest Roman era mosaics found in Britain. With three panels, here we feature the bottom rectangular panel which depicts a chariot race. You can almost feel the excitement in the air!
️Chiron and Achilles
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Statius’ incomplete epic poem the Achilleid explores the paternal and pedagogical relationship between Chiron and Achilles. In this fresco from Herculaneum, we witness Chiron guiding Achilles’ education with the lyre.
New Episode: Cleopatra 1963 - Part I
How will the living embodiment of the goddess Isis navigate politics with Rome? We’re about the explore the details and the influences behind the film production starring Elizabeth Taylor. We start with Cleopatra and Caesar
https://partialhistorians.com/2025/07/24/special-episode-cleopatra-1963-cleopatra-and-caesar/
Roman terracotta plaque with a griffin attended by a Hyperborean priest.
This #ReliefWednesday we dive into Greek myth via Roman representation. A lion griffin with horns appears to be drinking from a dish offered by a male figure thought to a priest.
An oldie but a goodie from when Dr Smith lent us her research-based Roman matrona garb and we proceeded to note just how tough it would have been to gad about town as a sophisticated lady.
Aphrodite and Eros
This #MosaicMonday we step into the vibrant world of Aphrodite. She appears to be gazing at her own reflection in a hand-mirrored back with a face (maybe a Gorgoneion). A pair of doves and the presence of winged Eros cement the goddesses identification.
Did anyone recreate an almost real roman bath? That I can actually bath in?
I know one as part of a museum, but it's not used for actual bathing.
I just want to pay 25€ and chill in a roman style bath with my crew
This #FrescoFriday we step back in time to the Villa of Mysteries at Pompeii. And boy did these ladies know how to cut loose in the lead up to a weekend! From almost nude stretching to seeking the comfort of friends, this Bacchic rite has it all.
Just swinging in the breeze
That’s right, it’s #PhallusThursday and our offering is this bronze beauty. Part man, part phallus, all ready to run up your good fortune. Most likely used as a Tintinnabulum, we hope this artefact at least chimed with good taste.