CFP: Online lectures in ancient history

The Association of Ancient Historians (AAH) and the Mommsen-Gesellschaft welcome half-page abstracts for their inaugural joint lecture series to begin this October.

One Mommsen-Gesellschaft member and one AAH member will each give a 20–30 minute talk. Both presentations will be in English. Half-page abstracts and CVs are due by 15 May to gtsouva@ilstu.edu and werner.riess@uni-hamburg.de

#CFP #AncientHistory #AncientGreece #AncientRome

Ars Technica: Remember that ancient Roman “dildo”? It might just be an old Roman drop spindle https://arstechnica.com/?p=1922544 #Tech #arstechnica #IT #Technology #Gaming&Culture #anthropology #ancientrome #antiquities #Archaeology #Vindolanda #Science #History

Pink News: Romosexuality: Embracing queer sex and love in ancient times https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/19/ancient-rome-homosexuality-gay-sex/ #LGBT #LGBTQ #Trans #Lesbian #2SLGBTQ #gentlemanjack #ancientrome #OscarWilde #Community #History

There are certainly other aspects that can be raised when looking at the question of why the Romans never developed railroads, but we were able to explore some of the reasons, and the question serves as a reminder that just because a technology is possible doesn't mean it will be developed.

Again thanks to all who joined the discussion.

#technology #AncientRome #RomanEmpire #railroads #economy

@NikaShilobod @Gremriel These road networks, however, were not developed with economic issues in mind. Primarily they allow for Roman military and administrative control. And that brings us back to the organisation of the Roman economy and how the economic pressures that can drive technological innovation are affected by social and political structures.

#RomanEmpire #AncientRome #economy #technology

@NikaShilobod @Gremriel Yes, the cost of transportation is also worth keeping in mind.

Transportation over water was relatively inexpensive, and most communities of size were located along navigable waterways.

Rail opens up the interior of landmasses, but for the Romans, those interior regions were far less populous and far less developed.

#RomanEmpire #AncientRome #economy

@NikaShilobod @Gremriel Cost is an interesting issue, but keep in mind that the Romans lived in a society with significant wealth disparities.

Cost might not have been a problem for some economic activities if those with massive wealth had wanted to pursue them.

#technology #economy #AncientRome #RomanEmpire

@26aafa19 A very perceptive point.

How the Romans organised labour would influence the sorts of technology they pursued.

Now, the Romans moved away from slave labour during the Empire towards something that would develop into serfdom, but nonetheless, how the Roman economy was deeply connected to their highly stratified social structure may have diminished the opportunities for fostering technological development.

#archaeology #AncientRome #RomanEmpire #technology

@Gremriel You make an excellent point about steam engines. And here, I believe, is how we can approach an answer.

The Romans had the technical understanding of how a steam engine could work, but the technology was never developed and scaled for a use such as rail transport. So, why wasn't that know-how further developed? What kept the Romans from putting it all together?

#archaeology #AncientRome #technology #RomanEmpire

When I have taught courses in ancient technology, one of the questions I like to ask is why the Romans never developed railroads.

They had all of the necessary technology to do so.

I certainly have my thoughts, but I would enjoy hearing yours.

#technology #AncientRome #archaeology #AncientEconomy #RomanEmpire #railroads

When I have taught courses in ancient technology, one of the questions I like to ask is why the Romans never developed railroads.

They had all of the necessary technology to do so.

I certainly have my thoughts, but I would enjoy hearing yours.

#technology #AncientRome #archaeology #AncientEconomy #RomanEmpire #railroads

#romanarchaeology #ancientrome #histodons Can anyone suggest a source of information about how the Romans heated their so-called steam baths (apart from those like Bath built on hot springs)? Already tried Nielsen, Yegul, Fagan, & Beard. Beginning to suspect that it was simply water thrown on seats of hypocaust-heated dry air hot rooms. Continued use of 'Roman steam baths' unhelpfully suggests modern (often plastic) steam rooms. Any ideas?

#romanarchaeology #ancientrome histodons Can anyone suggest a source of information about how the Romans heated their so-called steam baths (apart from those like Bath built on hot springs)? Already tried Nielsen, Yegul, Fagan, & Beard. Beginning to suspect that it was simply water thrown on seats of hypocaust-heated dry air hot rooms. Continued use of 'Roman steam baths' unhelpfully suggests modern (often plastic) steam rooms. Any ideas?

TIL: the ancient Romans had hate speech laws

https://youtu.be/ZM--CglZV7Y

#history #AncientRome #law

To Juan and Danny and Saskia and the former staff of Blyth & Wright, Sheringham who pointed out the schoolboy error in the last post:

Saturn, Ops and Jupiter are, indeed, Roman Gods.

The Greek equivalents being Cronus, Rhea and Zeus resp.

👍

#NationalGallery #Art #OldMasters #Artwork #GreekMythology #AncientRome

To Juan and Danny and Saskia and the former staff of Blyth & Wright, Sheringham who pointed out the schoolboy error in the last post:

Saturn, Ops and Jupiter are, indeed, Roman Gods.

The Greek equivalents being Cronus, Rhea and Zeus resp.

👍

#NationalGallery #Art #OldMasters #Artwork #GreekMythology #AncientRome

Thoroughly enjoyed the first book of this series by Simon Scarrow. So with the second on kindle unlimited it was a no brainer to get that for a read as well. Eagles of the Empire, the Eagles Conquest.

#books #reading #read #bookworm #rome #ancientrome #romanarmy

#airsoft #folklore #forteana #ForteanTimes #history #AncientRome #ancientegypt #writing

Today I woke with a headful of thoughts. Why did Hadrian deify Sabina? Did he really hate her? If so why contemplate an eternity? AND his mother in law?
Me?
I would love to commit to an eternity with OH. Is that sad? #history #ancientrome #romance

So the last book (Firefox) was set in the Cold War. Now stepping back in time with Simon Scarrow to ancient Rome and the Roman Empire.

#books #Book #reading #read #bookworm #rome #ancientrome #romanarmy