Locusta was born in the 1st century AD in Gaul (modern day France) during her youth it appears that she learnt a great deal about herbalism and toxicology. By the time the sources mention Locusta it is apparent that she is already held responsible for a number of poisoning murders in Rome. How many lives Locusta took throughout her career is impossible to tell, as secrecy and discretion were important elements of her business. Continue reading “Locusta and Nero’s university of poisoners”
Spanish police have arrested a French couple for looting the Empuries archaeological site. The police found a number of artefacts in the couple’s car in addition to tools associated with archaeologists including metal detectors. Upon closer inspection police discovered 33 holes at the site.
Syria’s head of antiquities has announced the destruction of the Baalshamin Temple in Palmyra. IS who took control of Palmyra in May have, according to reports, used large amounts of explosives to destroy the 1st century AD temple dedicated to the Phoenician god of storms. Continue reading “IS destroy Palmyran temple”
Women played a very important role during the American Civil War. The Government did not provide clothing and bedding for the military as they do today and it was often left up to the soldier’s family to provide for his needs. As the war went on, it became apparent that their was a desperate need for basic items. Continue reading “American Civil War Quilts”
23 August – On this day
Sir William Wallace who had become an important leader throughout the Scottish Wars of Independence particularly after his defeat of the English forces at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, he was captured near Glasgow earlier in August 1305 and handed over to Edward I. The English King had Wallace executed for high treason at Smithfield, London by having him hanged, drawn and quartered.
The 2000 year old burial of a Sarmatian noblewoman has been discovered in Russia during construction of a new airport, more than 100 arrowheads were discovered in the grave.
An Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign has been initiated to raise money for a scholarship fund to honour Khaled al-Assad who was beheaded for protecting the location of artefacts removed from Palmyra. Jay Burnet a UK citizen is trying to raise £25,000 to start the scholarship.
22 August – On this day
Charles I King of England called the round heads, the Parlimentarians, traitors and raised the royal standard at Nottingham. He managed to assemble about 2000 cavalry and a smaller force of infantry before going on to assemble a larger force in the weeks to come.
Routine drain and sewage maintenance has led to the discovery of three Iron Age skeletons by maintenance workers working on an 18th century cottage. the bones have been dated to between 800 and 600 BC.
Hugh Jackman may star in a new production of Homer’s Odyssey set to be made by Lionsgate, no release date has yet been set.
The Dendra Panapoly
The Evolution of Armour page has been updated with an entry on the Dendra Panapoly from the Mycenaean period (15th Cent. BC).
This is the first post to this page and the start of a regular feature with different armours added each time.
Some authors have long held the belief that neolithic peoples were somehow living an idyllic and peaceful life free of war and strife. Continue reading “Neolithic Farm life not free of conflict”
It has long been rumoured that in the last days of WWII the Nazi’s who had assembled a vast treasure including 300 tons of gold brought a heavily armoured train to Wroclaw Poland. In May 1945 this train left and has not been seen since. Now two men have come forward claiming they know where the train is and will reveal the location if they are given 10% of the treasure.
History Bytez 