This is Caturus, a prehistoric fish which swam in the oceans during the Mesozoic Era. Fossils of this saltwater fish have been found in North America, Europe, northern Africa, and as far as China within rocks spanning from the beginning… Read More ›
Europe
Baptanodon
This is Baptanodon, an ichthyosaur which lived during the late Jurassic Period about 160-155 million years ago. During this time, the central part of North America was covered with a body of saltwater known as the Sundance Sea, and Baptanodon… Read More ›
August 13 – The Feast of Pomona, Goddess of Fruit
Ancient Roman still life painting from the House of Julia Felix in Pompeii. Naples National Archaeological Museum, Naples, Italy. As we approach the middle of August, the heat of Summer is still on full-blast. Gardens are bursting with tomatoes, peppers,… Read More ›
Champsosaurus: The Croc-Lizard of the Cretaceous
When most people hear the words “aquatic reptile”, they usually think of two things: turtles and crocodilians. Some clever people might mention sea snakes, and others might mention marine iguanas. Those who are keen on impressing you may bring up… Read More ›
July 15 – The Equitum Romanorum Probatio and the Lusus Troiae: The Public Exhibitions of the Ancient Roman Knightly Class
July 15 was the date for the Equitum Romanorum Probatio, “the Roman Knight Exhibition”. This event commemorated the anniversary of the Battle of Lake Regillus, in which the Roman Republic fought against its Latin neighbors during the 300s BC. Legend… Read More ›
The First Roman-Illyrian War, 229-228 BC: Ancient Rome’s First Armed Conflict in the Western Balkans
Introduction For many people learning about ancient history in any detail for the first time, the title “civilization” is largely confined to the civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome. In the West, especially, the Greek and Roman civilizations are… Read More ›
May 9, 11, and 13 – Rest in Peace: The Lemuria Festival of the Dead
Manes, Lares, and Lemures. © Jason R. Abdale (August 21, 2021) Do you believe in ghosts? The ancient Romans certainly did. The spirits of the Undead were a real concern and a real fear for the ancient Romans. Therefore, it… Read More ›
May 15 – The Feast of Mercury
The Roman god Mercury, from the House of the Vettii, Pompeii. Image by Buzz Ferebee (2017).https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:House_of_the_Vettii_VI_15,1_Pompeii_2017_Detail_of_Mercury_with_his_caduceus_from_central_panel_on_north_wall_exedra_p_%28Mau_Plan%29_courtesy_of_Buzz_Ferebee.jpg. May 15 was the date of the Mercuralia, the Feast of Mercury. Mercury was the Roman version for the ancient Greek god Hermes, the… Read More ›
April 23 – The Vinalia Priora: The Ancient Roman Spring Wine Festival
I feel the coming of the flowery Spring,Wakening tree and vine;A bowl capacious quickly bringAnd mix the honeyed wine.Weave for my throat a garland of fresh dill,And crown my head with flowers,And o’er my breast sweet perfumes spillIn aromatic showers…. Read More ›
Dryosaurus
NOTE: This article was originally posted on April 8, 2020. It was substantially updated on December 14, 2022. This is Dryosaurus, a 10 foot long plant-eating ornithopod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation of western North America, and possibly… Read More ›
DINOSAURS AND BARBARIANS 
