Augustus, Hadrian's travels, Hadrian1900, Hispania, Spain, Tarraco

Winter AD 122/3 – Hadrian stays in Tarraco and rebuilds the Temple of Augustus (#Hadrian1900)

Having returned to Gaul from Britain (see here), Hadrian made his only known visit to his native land as emperor during the winter of AD 122/3. He took up his residence at Tarraco (Tarragona), Rome's oldest foundation on the Iberian Peninsula and the capital of Hispania Tarraconensis. Anthony Birley has proposed the identification of some… Continue reading Winter AD 122/3 – Hadrian stays in Tarraco and rebuilds the Temple of Augustus (#Hadrian1900)

Baetica, Exhibition, Hadrian, Hadrian1900, Spain

Exhibition: ‘Hadrian Metamorphosis: The birth of a new Rome’ in Seville (#Hadrian1900)

The Archaeological Museum of Seville is currently hosting an exhibition to commemorate the 1900th anniversary of Hadrian's accession to the imperial throne. In AD 117 Hadrian inherited the control of the Roman Empire from Trajan who had been his guardian and had named him as his successor. The families of both men came from Spain,… Continue reading Exhibition: ‘Hadrian Metamorphosis: The birth of a new Rome’ in Seville (#Hadrian1900)

Archaeology Travel, Baetica, Museum, Photography, Roman Mosaic, Spain

A guide to the mosaics along the Roman Baetica Route (Spain)

On a recent trip to Southern Spain, I travelled along the Roman Baetica Route and visited many of the archaeological sites and museums that Andalusia has to offer. Among the plethora of ancient treasures to be found in the region, I was particularly impressed by the incredible mosaics I came across. The Roman Baetica Route… Continue reading A guide to the mosaics along the Roman Baetica Route (Spain)

Archaeology Travel, Gladiator, Museum, Roman art, Roman Mosaic, Spain

Roman mosaics from the National Archaeological Museum of Spain, Madrid

Two weeks ago I returned to Madrid to visit the new Archaeological Museum. Spain's National Archaeological Museum reopened to the public six months ago after a massive six-year revamp that aimed at offering a state-of-the-art space for its collection of ancient artefacts. A total of 13,000 objects are on display in 40 rooms in a… Continue reading Roman mosaics from the National Archaeological Museum of Spain, Madrid