How the rapidly evolving field of archaeogenetics is unlocking secrets of the past

Which British kings had more than one reign? As is now well known, only two US presidents have been elected to serve non-consecutive terms. The first was Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President. The second - well, you know who the second one is.

Sign up now to join me on a week-long tour of Plantagenet France in April next year - subscribers get a $125 discount Next spring I will be hosting a historical tour to France, with my friends at Author Fan Travel and (very excitingly) the great Helen Castor.

Lessons from earlier ‘interesting times’ The Great Fire(s) of Los Angeles, which are currently raging, have consumed tens of thousands of acres and destroyed thousands of homes, and are by no means over, give one the sickening feeling that often accompanies seeing history unfold.

In 1300AD Boniface VIII started a tradition of forgiveness and (possibly) hell-raising that continues this year On Maundy Thursday - April 7th - 1300, Pope Boniface VIII stood on the balcony of his papal basilica in Rome. Around him, the city flocked with pilgrims, many of whom had come to see the Pope that day and receive his blessing.

For those trying to win wars in the ancient world, large armies were a neccessity. However, the personal prestige earned from a victory in single combat was still unmatched. Theme: Single combat in antiquity Ross Cowan, 'An introduction to single combat - Honorable scars'. Owain Williams, 'Heroic duels of mass combat - Homeric warfare'. Valentine Belfiglio, 'Rome's greatest soldier - Lucius Siccius Dentatus'. Murray Dahm, 'Titus Manlius versus the Latins - Single combat with consequences'. Ross Cowan, 'Valerius, the Gaul, and the interpreter - Provocat per interpretem'. Lindsay Powell, 'The end of single combat - A final blow'. Features: Jasper Oorthuys, '100 times Ancient Warfare - Doing the homework'. Anneka Rene, 'Diomedes and prophecy - The hero's fate'. Juan Quiroz, 'The impact of political economy - Manpower crisis'. Velite Aquila, 'Roman socii in the Middle Republic - Etruscan style'. Pavel Vaverka, 'Asserting their independence - The Lamian War'. Jo Ball, 'Three standard-bearers' dedication - A parting gift'.  

Founded in the war against Sextus Pompeius, the 'Legion of the Strait' spent most of its long history in the provinces of the Roman East with Parthians, Sasanians, and zealots. Theme: Legio X Fretensis Lindsay Powell, 'A history of Legio X Fretensis - Guardians of the Strait'. Lindsay Powell, 'The careers of Legio X Fretensis soldiers - Tours of duty'. Murray Dahm, 'Legio X Fretensis at Masada - Putting an end to resistance'. Murray Dahm, 'Legio X at Amida, AD 359 - Fretensis or Fortenses'. Features: Przemysław Mazur, 'Assyrian-style expansion: Before me, cities, behind me, ruins'. Jo Ball, 'The tombstone of Caius Marius - Death of a citizen cavalryman'. Aquila Velite, 'Italian mercenaries abroad - The Mamertines'. Aaron Beek, 'The rise of the peltast - What's in a name?'. Christina Sponsel-Schaffner, 'Painting techniques for Roman shields - Per aspera ad astra'. Annelies Koolen, 'The tactics of Numidian cavalry - Bridled or unbridled?'. Murray Dahm, 'The sarcophagus of Helena - Puzzle in porphyry'.  

The reign of Augustus was a major turning point in Roman history. Despite claiming to return to Republican traditions, he transformed Rome, from its government to the very city itself, creating a system that would persist for centuries. Theme: The age of Augustus Edward Watts, 'A history of the Second Triumvirate - The rise of Octavian'. Jason Whitmarsh, 'Good old-fashioned values - The Augustan moral reforms'. Lindsay Powell, 'Transforming the city of Rome - Augustus the builder'. Josiah Osgood, ' Livia ad the Augustan principate - Mother of the nation'. Arienne King, 'Queen, warrior, peacemaker - Amanirenas of Meroe'. Features: Jona Lendering, 'A look at the future of papyrology - Dating ink'. Maria Anita Ronchini, 'Was there an ancient Roman Halloween? - Mundus Patet'. Murray Dahm, 'Discoveries from the royal cemetery at Ur - Beyond the standard'. Dominic Rathbone, 'The history of Indo-Roman maritime trade - Pepper and profits'. Trevor Culley, 'The role of Achaemenid kurtaš - Labor and captivity in ancient Persia'. Philip Matyszak, 'Faces in wax, wood, stone, and bronze - Ancient Roman portraiture'.

While associated with deserts and wild animals, the Roman provinces of Africa were densely urbanized. Beyond these towns were rich agricultural lands and wide pastures, with North Africa being known for its grain and horses. Theme: Roman North Africa Andy Merrills, 'The limes in North Africa - Forgotten frontier'. Owain Williams, 'Agriculture in Roman Africa - The breadbasket of ancient Rome'. Jessica Brain, 'Building the Severan dynasty - Septimius Severus and Lepcis Magna'. Eric Fournier, 'Schismatics, heretics, martyrs - The Donatist conflict'. Features: Owain Williams, 'Fantasy fiction and historical inspiration - Against the Gods'. Tim Miller, 'Sun worship in Bronze Age Denmark - The chariot of the sun'. Lee Lanzillotta, 'Passports for the dead or ritual tools for the living? - The Orphic funerary tablets'. Briana Jackson, 'The assassination of Ramesses III - A conspiracy in the harem'. Andromache Karanika, 'Voices and representation - Women and music in ancient Greece'. Ilkka Lindstedt, 'The Arabian Peninsula's religious diversity - Pre-Islamic Arabian religions'. Philip Matyszak, 'Brothels in ancient Rome - Entering the wolf's den'.

This book presents a translation of a fascinating and highly unusual 16th-century text: the diary of a self-proclaimed Jewish leader—though he was likely a con artist—who traveled across Europe meeting with rulers as part of a scheme to wage war against the Ottoman Empire. Even after reading this diary, you may still find yourself questioning who this enigmatic figure truly was and what his ultimate goals might have been.

Winter got you feeling down? You’re not alone. The long, dark nights of winter have always been the cause for a little doom and gloom, especially before the age of electric lights and electric blankets.

Discover how medieval societies defined worth—not just in gold and wages, but through symbolic treasures, priceless gifts, and the stories objects carried.

Starting January 23, 2025 is a six-week online course: The Crusades 1095-1187: A Multi-Perspective History.

This is Varangian’s Newsletter, a newsletter about Medieval stories from Europe's eastern frontier. This is %%publication_name%%, a newsletter about Medieval stories from Europe's eastern frontier.

A Desperate Defense of Constantinople Rumors came first. Merchants sailing down the coast from Sinope said they saw hundreds of ships dotting the beaches near Heraclea, smoke rising in the morning sky. Soon boats of all sizes came from Chrysopolis. I could see them on guard duty, thousands of refugees, fleeing the raiders. They crowded into the

The water rippled faintly in the torch-light. The water rippled faintly in the torch-light. Muffled sounds emanated from beyond the end of the tunnel. The noise grew louder and louder. Those of us inside the tunnel sat silent, breathing through our mouths in fear of the faintest whisper. Daggers and chainmail glinted in the soft orange light. After an eternity, a pick sprouted from the clay at the …

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