Shortly after celebrating Rome's birthday (see here), Hadrian departed on his journey to the northern provinces and began his first extensive voyage through the empire. As he intended to be absent for a considerable time with little idea of a return date, it was necessary to leave the control of Rome in trustworthy hands. Annius Verus,… Continue reading Spring AD 121 – Hadrian departs for the northern provinces (#Hadrian1900)
Between the 10th of December 118 and the 9th of December 119, the river boatmen of the Rhône, the nautae Rhodanici, made an offering to their indulgentissimus princeps Hadrian (CIL XII, 1797). They erected a statue of the emperor in the town of Tournus (Tournon-sur-Rhône) between Valencia (Valence) and Vienna (Vienne), at the confluence of… Continue reading AD 119 – The boatmen of the Rhône river erect a statue in honour of Hadrian (#Hadrian1900)
2017 was a very special year for me as the year marked the 1900th anniversary of the accession of Hadrian to the imperial throne and the start of my Hadrian 1900 project. I travelled to 9 countries, visited 57 new archaeological sites, 21 new archaeological museums and attended 4 exhibitions. Here’s an overview of my… Continue reading My 2017 travel round-up
In honour of Museum Week, the worldwide festival for cultural institutions on social media (#MuseumWeek), I invite you today to discover some of my favourite sculptures from the collections of the Musée Saint-Raymond in Toulouse (France). The museum is among the best and richest archaeological museums in France where visitors can discover the Roman town… Continue reading The Labours of Hercules reliefs from the Villa Chiragan, Musée Saint-Raymond Toulouse (France)
Last weekend I travelled to Toulouse to visit the fabulous exhibition on Roman frescoes being held at the Musée Saint-Raymond. The exhibition, entitled 'L'Empire de la couleur - De Pompéi au sud des Gaules' ('Empire of colour - From Pompeii to Southern Gaul'), opened last November and runs through March 2015. The majority of Roman… Continue reading Roman frescoes on show in Toulouse (France)
"Pontem perpetui mansurum in saecula mundi" (I have built a bridge which will last forever)" -Caius Julius Lacer, builder of the Alcántara Bridge Ancient Roman bridges represent one of the greatest wonders of the Ancient World. They are an exceptional feat of Roman construction and I hold a certain fascination for these impressive ancient structures. Naturally… Continue reading Looking for Roman bridges in Provence, France
The Porte Mars is an ancient Roman triumphal arch in Reims, France. It dates from the third century AD, and was the widest arch in the Roman world. At the time of its construction, Porte de Mars would have been one of four arches which would have led to the Gallo-Roman settlement of Durocortorum, as… Continue reading Picture of the week: The Porte Mars, an ancient Roman triumphal arch in Reims (France) and the widest arch in the Roman world
I just got back from a wonderful trip to Turkey (exploring the regions of Lycia, Pisidia and Pamphylia), and to France where I visited Lugdunum (Lyon) and Vienna (Vienne). I will be posting loads of photos in the coming days from the dozen of sites I visited… Sagalassos, Side, Seleucia, Aspendos, Myra, Xanthos, Letoon, Patara,… Continue reading Following Hadrian in Asia Minor and Gaul
