March 19 marked the beginning of the Quinquatria, “the Festival of Five Days”, spanning from March 19 to 23. This was a five day long celebration of the goddess Minerva, the Roman version of the Greek goddess Athena. She was… Read More ›

Roman Empire
March 17 – The Feast of Mars
Today is March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day. While people all over the world celebrate everything that it means to be Irish, things would have been different two thousand years ago. Tradition states that Saint Patrick died on March 17, but… Read More ›
March 16 – The Procession to the Argei
By mid-March, Spring had definitely come to central Italy. The weather was getting warmer and the first green shoots were emerging from the soil. It was also a date of important astrological significance. As the poet Ovid states, “When the… Read More ›
March 15 – The Ides of March
La Morte di Cesare (“The Death of Caesar”), painted by Vincenzo Camuccini (1805). Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna, Rome, Italy. Beware the Ides of March! Or should you? Well, for Julius Caesar, he certainly had reason to be wary of the… Read More ›
My book “The Great Illyrian Revolt” is on sale – order today
Hello everybody. I am happy to report that I have received hundreds of congratulations messages from people all over the world regarding the publication of my latest history book The Great Illyrian Revolt: Rome’s Forgotten War in the Balkans, AD… Read More ›
March 1 – The Month of Mars
Ancient Roman re-enactors marching at Xanten, Germany. Photograph by Judith Meyer (June 23, 2012). CC0 Creative Commons. March is the month dedicated to the ancient Roman war god Mars. By now, the weather is warming up, the snows have melted,… Read More ›
My second book has been published!
Good news. I have received word from my publisher that my second history book The Great Illyrian Revolt has been officially released to the public. Those who reserved orders for it will be receiving their copies in the mail soon…. Read More ›
Map of the Celtic Tribes of the British Isles, circa 50 BC
Map of the Celtic tribes of the British Isles, circa 50 BC. Abbreviated names listed in alphabetical order: Caer. = Caereni; Carno. = Carnonacae; Dec. = Deceangli; Erd. = Erdini; G. = Gadini; Ive. = Iverni; M. = Manapians; Rhob…. Read More ›
February 17 – The Fornicalia
February 17 was the ancient Roman festival called the Fornicalia. NO, get your mind out of the gutter, it’s got nothing to do with what you’re thinking of! The word comes from the Latin word fornax, meaning “oven”; the English… Read More ›
February 15 – The Lupercalia
Do you fancy yourself a wolf when it comes to the ladies? Well, today’s your chance to show your stuff! February 15 is the day of the Lupercalia, which was the major fertility festival in the ancient Roman calendar. The… Read More ›