Every year, the Romans celebrated their city's birthday on 21 April, the day on which, according to early traditions, Romulus founded Rome by tracing the pomerium, the sacred urban boundary separating the city (urbs) from the country (ager). The celebrations were held during the Parilia, a rural festival associated with flocks and herds, which predated Rome's… Continue reading 21 April AD 121 – Hadrian celebrates Rome’s 874th birthday with circus games (#Hadrian1900)
Today (April 21) is the traditional date given for the founding of Rome. According to Roman mythology, the founders were Romulus and Remus, twin brothers and sons of the gods Mars and Rhea Silvia. The twins were then abandoned by their parents as babies (because of a prophecy that they would overthrow their great-uncle Amulius)… Continue reading Happy birthday, Roma!
Column of Trajan, Carrara marble, completed in 113 AD, Trajan's Forum, Rome On this day (26th May) 107 AD, Trajan celebrates a triumph for his victories over the Dacians. The celebrations lasted 123 days and entertained the populace with a vast display of gladiators and animals. In Rome, Apollodorus of Damascus designed and built in the huge… Continue reading The Column of Trajan, Rome
Type: Variant of Stazione Termini type Found in the River Thames near London Bridge (1834) This head comes from a statue of Hadrian that probably stood in Roman London (Londinium) in a public space such as a forum. It would have been one and a quarter times life-size. The statue may have been put up… Continue reading Bronze head from a statue of Hadrian, British Museum
Septimius Severus was born on 11 April AD 145 in the African city of Leptis Magna, whose magnificent ruins are located in modern-day Libya, 130 miles east of Tripoli. --- Although Severus was not a member of the Antonine Dynasty, he and his descendants had close ties with the Antonine emperors. Severus' grandfather was a duumvir under Trajan, his cousins received suffect… Continue reading Felicem diem natalem, Septimi Severe!
