In ancient Rome, as throughout the ancient world, people's lives were structured around religious rituals and festivals, they prayed to the gods for guidance, and it was believed the gods even interceded on their behalf. Theme: Religion in ancient Rome Gwynaeth McIntyre, 'Worshipping the imperial family - When religion meets politics'. Stuart McKie, 'Curse tablets in the Roman world - Hidden secrets of ancient magic'. Amber Gartrell, 'Roman worship of Castor & Pollux - The best of brothers'. Laurie Porstner, 'Watching over the family - Roman household gods'. Jen Baird, 'Religious life in Dura-Europos - One town, many faiths'. Features: Jeremy McInerney, 'Centaurs - Wildness and the Greek imagination'. Stephen Hodkinson, 'Classical Sparta - A militaristic society?'. Sem van Atteveld, 'The snail craze - Producing Tyrian purple'. Stephen Roberts, 'Hengistbury Head - A vibrant Iron Age settlement'. Philip Matyszak, 'Widowhood in ancient Rome - Wealth, love, and politics'. Ulla Rajala, 'Peopling the past - Experiencing the Jewry Wall Museum'.
In antiquity, Southern Italy was a prominent destination for Greek colonists. However, numerous people already lived in the region. The Greeks sometimes peacefully coexisted with these tribes — and sometimes came into conflict with them. Theme: Magna Graecia Richard Evans, 'Syracusan democracy - A fragile start and a feeble end'. Edward Herring, 'From imports to indigenous ware - Magna Graecia's red-figure pottery'. Sosseh Assaturian, 'Eleatic philosophy - The birth of ancient Greek metaphysics'. Mark Thatcher, 'Conflict and compromise - Greeks and non-Greeks in Italy'. Richard Evans, 'Caught between fact and fiction - The Achaean colony of Sybaris'. Emmanouil Peponas, 'The theatre in Magna Graecia - A creative frontier'. Kathryn Lomas, 'The conquest of Magna Graecia - The coming of Rome'. Features: Michael Carter, 'Morituri te salutant! Aut non - Death (and life) in the gladiatorial arena'. Sem van Atteveld, 'Local industry - The impact of Tyrian purple production'. Adriano Orsingher, 'Worn, hung, offered - Phoenician and Punic masks'. Alexander Thein, 'Sulla's dictatorship - Lawgiving, patronage, social mobility'.
Most people in the ancient world, from slaves to skilled artisans — instead of owning vast estates or plundering enemy treasuries — worked for a living. From odd jobs to construction contracts, all manner of employment was available. Theme: Labour in antiquity Miriam J. Groen-Vallinga, 'Talking tools? - Rome's enslaved labour'. Charlotte van Regenmortel, 'Fighting for a living - Professional soldiery in the Hellenistic age'. Owain Williams, 'Finding work - The labour market in ancient Rome'. Katherine Backler, 'Woven wealth and women's work - The ancient Greek textile economy'. Arienne King, '"As long as my people keep on working" - Labour in ancient Egypt'. Features: Rhyne King, 'Managing an empire - The satraps of Achaemenid Persia'. Peter Edwell, 'The city of Hatra - An ancient geopolitical hostspot'. Jeroen W.P. Wijnendaele, 'The lion and the gladiator - The arena on the edge of empire'. Louise M. Pryke, 'The tale of Gilgamesh - The world's first tragic epic'. Philip Matyszak, 'Food on the table - Grocery shopping in ancient Rome'.
Medieval Murder Maps throws you into the deadly world of medieval Oxford on an average Sunday afternoon Friends, my new novel, LION HEARTS, is published in just a few weeks. It is the third book in the Essex Dogs trilogy and I am mighty excited for you to read it.
…and post your questions for a special Essex Dogs trilogy Q&A ahead of the final novel release this summer It’s all go with my Essex Dogs fiction series.
...and all your Q&A questions about Lion Hearts answered Thanks to everyone who asked questions about my new book, Lion Hearts, which is out on July 31st (and Sept 25th in the US). You’re all great. Here are the answers.
I sat down for 90 minutes to reflect on history, historical fiction and the forthcoming release of Lion Hearts Here it is… the most in-depth interview I’ve done about my Essex Dogs trilogy. The brilliant Genevieve Gaunt hosted this conversation.
Forty questions all about history, which honestly I took a LOT of time over Last month I hosted a History Quiz at the Groucho Club in London. It was sold out and great fun. Which was just as well, because I spent absolutely ages writing the questions (and then rewriting them when my pal Elizabeth Day sent me a text in BLOCK CAPS saying THIS IS WAY TOO DIFFICULT).
Back from my holidays! Let's goooo Hello everyone,
(And now you can stay nearby in true medieval splendour) This week I stayed in the newly refurbished Mayor’s Parlour at the Maison Dieu in Dover, which has been restored in Victorian Gothic Revival style and is now available to book via The Landmark Trust. You can read more about the property (and book to stay in it)
I’m thrilled and honoured to have been appointed by the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport as a Trustee of Historic Royal Palaces. I’m thrilled and honoured to have been appointed by the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport as a Trustee of Historic Royal Palaces.
Or is that a super dumb question? Before I unwind my essay about the BBC’s new 1066 drama, I want to let you know that my new novel, Lion Hearts, is out now in the UK - and is very nearly out in the USA.
