Category Archives: Ancient History

DNA Studies of Pompeii Victims

Posted on November 8, 2024 by briansandberg

New DNA studies have been done the remains of residents of Pompeii who were killed in the disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 Common Era (CE). The findings challenge previous interpretations about the identities of many of the victims. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, Environmental History, European History, History of the Western World, Italian History, Social History, World History | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Netherlands Returns Looted Artifacts to Indonesia

Posted on September 22, 2024 by briansandberg

The Netherlands has returned numerous looted artifacts and art objects to Indonesia in a major repatriation. This move aims to make partial restitution for historical legacies of Dutch colonialism, imperialism, and slavery in Southeast Asia. The New York Times reports … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, Art History, Cultural History, Empires and Imperialism, European History, History in the Media, History of Slavery, History of Violence, Material Culture, Medieval History, Museums and Historical Memory, World History | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Roman Colosseum and Gladiator II

Posted on September 17, 2024 by briansandberg

The Colosseum will soon be on the big screen once again. The feature film Gladiator II is set for release to movie theaters this fall. According to the New York Times, “When ‘Gladiator’ was released in 2000, fans and critics … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, Empires and Imperialism, Historical Film, History in the Media, History of Slavery, History of the Western World, History of Violence, Museums and Historical Memory, Security Studies, World History | 1 Comment

The Appian Way and World Heritage Politics

Posted on August 30, 2024 by briansandberg

The Appian Way is often considered the world’s first highway, and now it is officially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The New York Times reports: “Known as the “regina viarum,” or the queen of roads, the Appia was … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, European History, European Studies, History of the Western World, Italian History, Museums and Historical Memory, World History | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Teaching Western History

Posted on August 30, 2024 by briansandberg

I am teaching HIST 110 History of the Western World I this fall semester at Northern Illinois and am once again revamping the readings. I have decided to go with a new interpretive essay, Josephine Quinn’s How the World Made … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, European History, Historiography and Social Theory, History of the Western World, Idea of Europe, Medieval History, Mediterranean World, Northern Illinois University, The Past Alive: Teaching History, Undergraduate Work in History, World History | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Roman Legions on Tik Tok

Posted on September 16, 2023 by briansandberg

Men are apparently sharing their fascination with Roman history on Tik Tok, Instagram, and other online platforms. “It’s been almost 2,000 years since the Roman Empire reached the historic peak of its power. But many men still contemplate it — … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, Cultural History, Digital Humanities, Empires and Imperialism, European History, History in the Media, Italian History, Museums and Historical Memory, Public History, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Archaeologists Discover a Sumerian Tavern

Posted on February 22, 2023 by briansandberg

Archaeologists working in Iraq have discovered the remains of a Sumerian tavern in the ruins of the city of Lagash. “Archaeologists found a seven-room structure featuring an open courtyard with benches and a large open cooking area with a 10-foot-wide … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, Cultural History, Food and Cuisine History, History of the Western World, Material Culture, Urban History, World History | Leave a comment

Ancient Battlefield Archaeology and DNA Findings

Posted on October 5, 2022 by briansandberg

Archaeologists and scientists are discovering new information about the soldiers and conflicts of the past through battlefield archaeology. Recent digs have uncovered the grave of Richard III from the Wars of the Roses (1455-1487) and mass graves from battles of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, Battlefield Archaeology, European History, History of the Western World, History of Violence, Mediterranean World, Mercenaries, War, Culture, and Society, World History | 1 Comment

Virtual Rome

Posted on September 7, 2021 by briansandberg

My students in HIST 420 The Renaissance at Northern Illinois University recently discussed the intellectual movement of Humanism in the Renaissance, focusing especially on the Humanists’ fascination with antiquities and their nostalgia for ancient Rome. Students read passages from Poggio … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, Art History, Cultural History, Digital Humanities, Early Modern Europe, Empires and Imperialism, European History, History in the Media, History of the Book, Humanities Education, Intellectual History, Italian History, Mediterranean World, Museums and Historical Memory, Renaissance Art and History, The Past Alive: Teaching History | Leave a comment

Roman History and Modern Society

Posted on May 31, 2021 by briansandberg

Ancient Roman history is alive and well, and newsworthy. An interview with Mary Beard, Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge, in The New York Times highlights diverse ways in which Roman history is actively used in today’s society … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, Cultural History, European History, History in the Media, Italian History, Mediterranean World, Museums and Historical Memory, Women and Gender History | Leave a comment