015a- The Second Samnite War

After a five year break, hostilities resumed between the Romans and Samnites. Despite early setbacks, Rome eventually emerged victorious in 304 BC. During these years a controversial politician, Appius Claudius, initiated a series of ambitious public works projects that advanced ... Show More

Rome battled a combined army of Samnites, Etruscans, Umbrians and Gauls for control of Italy. At Sentinum, the two sides fought the largest battle in Italian history up to that point. 

The Greek cities of southern Italy called on King Pyrrhus of Epirus to protect them from Roman encroachment. Though Pyrrhus was undefeated in battle, his victories were so costly that he was forced to withdraw from Italy in 275 BC, leaving Rome in control of Magna Graecia. 

The Roman empire was used to getting its own way – but there was one power it was never able to overcome. Despite frequent bouts of warfare, the Parthian and later Persian empire managed to hold its own against Rome for more than six centuries, until a new force emerged that woul ... Show More

En la antigua Roma, las burlas y los chistes formaban parte del día a día de los ciudadanos, y no perdonaban a nadie. Los soldados eran especialmente dados a las pullas, incluso en momentos de gran solemnidad como los desfiles triunfales de los generales victoriosos en Roma. 

In the third century BC, a clash which had been brewing for centuries finally erupted: Rome, the ruthless imperialist upstart dominating Italy, against Carthage, the ancient but sinister apex predator of the Mediterranean. The conflict sparked in Messina in 263 BC, and went on fo ... Show More

<p>We continue with the story of Rome&apos;s rise to power in the third and second centuries BC, and ask two vital questions: first, did the Romans simply get lucky? Second, how did the Roman legions become the most feared fighting machine of the ancient world?</p><p>For a free e ... Show More

“Every man is the architect of his own destiny” Long before Rome reigned over the Mediterranean, there was Carthage: the supreme predator of Antiquity. But how did Rome rise to become one of the most ruthless powers of all time, united in cold, disciplined violence? And what was ... Show More

En la antigua Roma las burlas y chistes formaban parte del día a día de los ciudadanos, y no perdonaban a nadie. Los soldados eran especialmente dados a las pullas, incluso en momentos de gran solemnidad como los desfiles triunfales de los generales victoriosos en Roma. 

<p>After Belisarius&apos; heroic defense of Rome in 537-538, it looked as if there might be a rapid end to the Gothic war. But no. The Roman high command was wracked by internal division that would prolong the war and lead to the tragic sack of Milan.<br/>Check out my website <a ... Show More

<p>Despite Belisarius&apos; victory at Dara in 530, dissatisfaction was growing with Justinian which would soon lead to rebellion.</p><p>For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website <a href='https://www.nickholmesauthor.com/'>nickholmesauthor.com</a><br/>Find my latest b ... Show More

The Pax Romana has long been shorthand for the empire’s golden age. Stretching from Caledonia to Arabia, Rome ruled over a quarter of the world’s population. It was the wealthiest and most formidable state in the history of humankind.<br><br>Today we are speaking with Tom Holland ... Show More