The hottest Ancient Rome Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top History Topics

How Diocletian’s Persecution of Christians Began

The Take (by Jon Miltimore) • 237 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
đź’ľ History Ancient Rome
  1. Before Diocletian, Christians in Rome mostly lived without fear of government attack. They experienced a time called 'the little peace of the Church.'
  2. Diocletian's edicts led to a serious crackdown on Christians, starting with public office removals and destroying churches. He aimed to get rid of Christianity but ended up fueling more violence.
  3. The actions of a soldier named Marcellus sparked significant persecution, but many historians think it was part of a larger struggle between old Roman beliefs and the growing Christian faith.

A Snapshot from the Fall of the Roman Republic: Cicero Wrote as Caesar Crossed the Rubicon

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 199 implied HN points • 12 Jan 26
đź’ľ History Ancient Rome
  1. A senior Roman politician was surprised by how quickly civil war erupted, showing that even insiders misread how fragile the political order had become.
  2. Many believed the Pompey–senatorial coalition was still organized and energetic, so they expected it could hold off Caesar.
  3. People thought a negotiated cure was possible, but partisan passions and failures of coordination on both sides blocked compromise and let Caesar gain the advantage.

Gaius Marius

Classical Wisdom • 1945 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
đź’ľ History Ancient Rome
  1. Gaius Marius was a significant figure in ancient Roman history who rose to power through unconventional strategies and populist support.
  2. Marius's actions led to the downfall of the Roman Republic as his rise to power and seizure of dictatorial powers shook the traditional Roman political structure.
  3. The rivalry between Gaius Marius and Sulla, and the subsequent civil wars, disrupted the balance of power in the Roman Republic and ultimately contributed to its demise.

Aeneas: Founder of Rome

Classical Wisdom • 1041 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
đź’ľ History Ancient Rome
  1. Aeneas was a significant figure in Roman mythology, known for being the founder of Rome and embodying Roman virtues.
  2. Aeneas' story was immortalized in Virgil's epic poem, the Aeneid, which is considered one of the greatest works in Classical literature.
  3. The legend of Aeneas and his adventures was used to explain Rome's foundation, justify its empire, and promote Roman moral values.

Immigrants of Imperial Rome: Pompeii’s genetic census of the doomed

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 177 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
đź’ľ History Ancient Rome
  1. Pompeii was buried under ash and pumice after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, trapping its citizens and preserving their last moments in time. This tragic event allows us to see a snapshot of everyday life in a Roman city.
  2. Recent genetic testing on remains found in Pompeii shows that some previous assumptions about relationships among victims were incorrect. For example, some figures thought to be a mother and child were actually unrelated men.
  3. The genetic analysis suggests that the people of Pompeii came from diverse backgrounds. This new understanding helps us learn more about the different cultures and stories of individuals in ancient Rome.
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When did medieval Europe overtake Rome?

Wrong Side of History • 455 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
đź’ľ History Ancient Rome
  1. Medieval Europe advanced in military technology earlier than Rome, primarily due to innovations like the stirrup that changed how warfare was conducted. This new technology allowed for more effective cavalry charges that Romans couldn't achieve.
  2. Population in medieval Europe began to rise significantly after the Dark Ages, eventually reaching levels that matched or exceeded ancient Rome. By the 12th and 13th centuries, cities like London were growing rapidly, highlighting the increase in urban life.
  3. Medieval architecture and other technologies improved considerably after the Roman era, marking a period of advancement. Buildings like cathedrals began to tower over Roman structures, showcasing medieval ingenuity and development.

Fratricidal Foundation

Cosmographia • 579 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
đź’ľ History Ancient Rome
  1. The post discusses the legend of Rome's founding through the story of Aeneas and his descendants, connecting the narrative gaps and adding legitimacy to Roman origins.
  2. The next chapter explores the legends of Rome's founding as portrayed by Ovid, Livy, Plutarch, and various artists throughout history, depicting wolves, fratricide, rape, and war.
  3. The legend of Rome's founding is rich with tales of familial conflict and historical significance, as depicted by various ancient writers and artists.

Yes. Rome Did Fall

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 568 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
đź’ľ History Ancient Rome
  1. Rome fell to various barbarian tribes in the 5th century, leading to no Roman Empire in the west
  2. The Eastern Roman Empire in Constantinople survived and transformed into the Byzantine Empire
  3. Augustine's 'City of God' reflects the fall of Rome and the importance of Christianity

Peoples of Rome

Nemets • 123 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
đź’ľ History Ancient Rome
  1. Early European Farmers ruled Italy for 38 centuries, with ancestors from Anatolia and Western Hunter-Gatherers
  2. Italy's population recovered from a 23rd century BC collapse, with invasions and migrations shaping the region's demographics
  3. The Fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD was apocalyptic, leading to depopulation, societal collapse, and genetic shifts in succeeding populations

The Roman Market Economy

Something to Consider • 39 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
đź’ľ History Ancient Rome
  1. The Roman economy functioned like a market economy, thriving on trade during the Pax Romana, which helped improve living standards. Markets existed long ago, and the flow of goods among regions shows how interconnected they were.
  2. Data on prices and trade from ancient times can be hard to find, but clever techniques can help make sense of it. This shows that even with limited information, we can understand how economies worked.
  3. Economic issues like inflation and political stability often influenced each other during the Roman Empire. Events like plagues affected both money value and social order, showing that economic and historical factors are linked.

Lessons from the Ides of March

The Octavian Report • 49 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
đź’ľ History Ancient Rome
  1. Julius Caesar's forgiveness towards his enemies ultimately led to his downfall.
  2. Caesar's policy of clemency humiliated his enemies and alienated his allies.
  3. Leaders should balance clemency with rewarding friends and displaying modesty to avoid creating dangerous power dynamics.

December 7, -43: 2067 Years Ago Roman Politics Had a Very Sharp Edge Indeed

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 0 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
đź’ľ History Ancient Rome
  1. Cicero was killed on December 7, 43 BC by soldiers acting for the Second Triumvirate, a violent outcome of the post‑Caesar power struggles.
  2. The phrase "adolescentem laudandum, ornandum, tollendum" is rhetorically powerful and ambiguous; its gerundive form signals necessity and can mean praise, honor, and—crucially—removal, hinting at sanctioned violence.
  3. Octavian played a double game in the aftermath of Caesar's death—borrowing, shifting alliances, and ultimately joining Antony and Lepidus to form the Triumvirate—which helped bring about Cicero's downfall.