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An illustration of two lictors, members of a special class of Roman civil servants. Lictors had special tasks of attending and guarding magistrates of the Roman Republic and Empire who held imperium; essentially, a bodyguard. The origin of the tradition of lictors goes back to the time when Rome was a kingdom, perhaps acquired from their Etruscan neighbours.

Roman Civil Servants

An illustration of two lictors, members of a special class of Roman civil servants. Lictors had special…

The sestertius or sesterce was an ancient silver coin during the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire.

Sestertius

The sestertius or sesterce was an ancient silver coin during the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire.

(221-35 B.C.) Roman Emperor

Alexander Severus

(221-35 B.C.) Roman Emperor

"The representation shows the arrangement of the tiers or oars in a two-banked ship. In just what way the lines of rowers in triremes and quinqueremes were arranged is unknown."—Myers, 1904

Prow of a Roman War Ship

"The representation shows the arrangement of the tiers or oars in a two-banked ship. In just what way…

"Walls of Signia. The colony of Signia was said to have been founded by the last Tarquin; but its possession was lost in the early years of the republic." -Allen, 1890

Walls of Signia

"Walls of Signia. The colony of Signia was said to have been founded by the last Tarquin; but its possession…

"A runaway slave, if recaptured, was sometimes compelled to wear a metal collar riveted about his neck."—Webster, 1913

A Slave's Collar

"A runaway slave, if recaptured, was sometimes compelled to wear a metal collar riveted about his neck."—Webster,…

A soldier of the Roman Empire.

Light-Armed Soldier

A soldier of the Roman Empire.

"The two-storied marble structure is capped by an enormous monolith weighing over 300 tons."—Webster, 1913

Tomb of Theodoric at Ravenna

"The two-storied marble structure is capped by an enormous monolith weighing over 300 tons."—Webster,…

"The romans had no knowledge of gunpowder, siege cannon, or field guns; but the place of modern artillery was supplied by what in general were called tormenta. These were powerful engines for hurling missiles, the propelling force being furnished by the twisting of rope, sinews, or hair. They were used in siege operations rather than in ordinary battle."

Tormenta Within a Fortified Camp

"The romans had no knowledge of gunpowder, siege cannon, or field guns; but the place of modern artillery…

Also known as Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus. Emperor of Rome from 98 to 117.

Trajan

Also known as Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus. Emperor of Rome from 98 to 117.

Lictors were guards of magistrates who carried fasces to show power to execute. Two men, one young, one older, stand side by side, each holding fasces. Fasces are axes bound to bundles of wooden rods. These lictors function as bodyguards. The men are wearing togas.

Two Attendants, or Lictors, of a King or Consul

Lictors were guards of magistrates who carried fasces to show power to execute. Two men, one young,…

The Emperor of Rome from 69 to 79.

Vespasian

The Emperor of Rome from 69 to 79.

Titus Flavius Vespasianus, commonly known as Vespasian (November 17, 9 – June 23, 79), was a Roman Emperor who reigned from 69 A.D. until his death in 79 A.D. Vespasian was the founder of the short-lived Flavian dynasty, which ruled the Roman Empire between 69 A.D. and 96 A.D. He was succeeded by his sons Titus (79–81) and Domitian (81–96).

Coin of Vespasian

Titus Flavius Vespasianus, commonly known as Vespasian (November 17, 9 – June 23, 79), was a Roman…

A flag-like object. The cloth was draped from a horizontal cross suspended from the staff. It was a treasured symbol of the military and was closely defended in combat.

Vexillum

A flag-like object. The cloth was draped from a horizontal cross suspended from the staff. It was a…