Showing posts with the label Italy

How a German Air Raid in Bari Helped Discover a Cure For Cancer

Apr 28, 2022

On December 2, 1943, the Germans launched a surprise attack on a key Allied port in Bari, Italy, sinking more than 20 Allied merchant ships ...

Scribonius Longus, The Roman Physician Who Used Electricity as a Treatment

Mar 30, 2022

Scribonius Longus (Latin Scribonius Largus ) was a 1st century AD Roman physician who served at the court of Emperor Claudius (41-54 AD) an...

The Pyramid of Cestius

Feb 10, 2022

Although we associate pyramids with Ancient Egypt, these four-sided structures with a tapering top are found all over the world, built by ma...

Acta Diurna: The First Roman Newspaper

Feb 8, 2022

According to Cicero, from the beginning of Roman history the Pontifex Maximus compiled on a white table the most important events that had ...

The Ancient Egyptian Obelisks of Rome

Jan 19, 2022

When the Romans were not busy moving earth to build colossal amphitheaters and aqueducts, they were busy moving obelisks. The city of Rome h...

Ciampate del Diavolo: 350,000 Years Old Fossilized Hominid Footprints

Nov 29, 2021

Near the Italian town of Foresta in the province of Caserta, and very close to the extinct volcano Roccamonfina, there is an area called Cia...

Why The Romans Punished Dogs And Honored Geese

Sep 6, 2021

On a warm summer day in August in ancient Rome, a brilliantly decorated litter is carried solemnly in the direction of Circus Maximum. Its o...

Poena Cullei: The Worst Roman Punishment

Jul 1, 2021

Throughout history Man has shown extraordinary imagination in inventing penalties and sentences for crimes committed by fellow man. The Roma...

The Anatomical Machines of Raimondo di Sangro

Jun 22, 2021

Housed in glass cases in the basement of Sansevero Chapel in Naples, Italy, are two extraordinary exhibits. Called “anatomical machines”, th...

How Ancient Romans Kept Time

May 12, 2021

That days have 24 hours is a long-established convention, which is also related to the rotational motion of the Earth. Pliny the Elder expre...