The people, places and events that have shaped our history and culture
Established in the 3rd-century BC, under the Hellenistic Attalid dynasty, the acropolis is famed for its steep 10,000-seat theatre, library, Temple of Trajan and the Pergamon Altar. Pergamon was one of Rome’s most strategic allies, providing Rome with naval power, intelligence and logistics to defeat Macedon (under King Philip V and finally King Perseus) and [...]
An extensive collection of amphorae (vessels used for storage & transportation), amphorae stamps (identification markers), weights, weighing scales, crockery and coins - mostly recovered from marine wrecks throughout the eastern Mediterranean and Aegean sea and dating from the Roman and Late Roman (Byzantine) period. The exhibits were compiled by researcher and collector Haluk Perk. The [...]
In 616 BC, Lucius Tarquinius Priscus began his reign as the fifth king of Rome. He was the first king of the Etruscan dynasty and regarded as a good ruler, expanding Rome and laying the foundations for the Temple of Jupiter. He was followed by Servius Tullius, another good Etruscan king who advanced Rome’s defences, [...]
Rome was situated in Latium, on a navigable river at an important crossroads between the Etruscans and the new Greek cities in southern Italy. Paul Roberts neatly summarises Rome as being founded by Trojans, ruled by Etruscans and peopled by Latins. Outcasts, the Romans welcomed all men to join them. But critically, the community lacked [...]
According to the ancient Roman writer Virgil (building on the earlier works of Pictor), Romulus and Remus are born to the Vestal Virgin Rhea Silva. In mythical circumstances she is raped by the god Mars producing the famed twins. The twins’ uncle Amulius, seeking to become the sole King of Alba Longa, steals the baby [...]