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
💾 History Ancient Rome Christianity Persecution Militarism Legislation
  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.

Gaius Marius

Classical Wisdom • 1945 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💾 History Ancient Rome Civil War Military Leadership
  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
💾 History Mythology Ancient Rome Imperialism Morality
  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.

Fratricidal Foundation

Cosmographia • 579 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
💾 History Ancient Rome Mythology Literature Art
  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
💾 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
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Peoples of Rome

Nemets • 123 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
💾 History Ancient Rome Cultural Influences
  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
💾 History Ancient Rome Economics Trade Political Systems
  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.