Blog
Recent Posts and Blog Archive
Introduction A look at Segedunum, a Roman fort on the north bank of the Tyne What you’ll hear 0:55: What is Segedunum? 2:32: Segedunum origins 3:06 Post-Roman Empire 3:40: Roman Standards Prefer to read instead? Click here for a transcript – no email required! You can visit the official Segedunum website here.
Read More
Introduction Looking at life in the Roman Army, how it was structured, and what life was like for the soldiery. What you’ll hear 1:00: Overview of the Army 2:08: Loyalty and Retirement 2:38: Organisation 3:56: During Peacetime Prefer to read instead? Click here for a transcript – no e-mail required!
Read More
Introduction The Roman fort of Arbeia, in South Shields What You’ll Hear 1:04 Introduction to Arbeia 2:44 The Commanding Officer’s Quarters 3:22 Other Accommodation 4:25 The Granary Prefer to read instead? Click here for a transcript – no email required! This episode was inspired by many enjoyable visits to the fort itself, which is…
Read More
Introdution Exploring the Roman tradition of banqueting. What You’ll Hear 1:04: What banquets looked like 2:14: Entertainment and food 3:20: Sadistic shenanigans 4:05: The Vomitorium Prefer to read instead? Click here for a transcript – no email required!
Read More
Introduction The construction of Hadrian’s Wall and why it was significant. What You’ll Hear 1:00: The Emperor Hadrian 2:22: Construction of the Wall 3:55: Structures along the Wall 5:25: Shrines to local gods 6:02: After Hadrian Prefer to read instead? Click here for a transcript – no email required! This episode was inspired by…
Read More
Introduction The Hundred Years War was a complex beast. The most basic timelines will show that it was contested by England and France between 1337 and 1453. The reality is that swathes of Europe became involved in the long dispute and, rather than being a singular war, it was actually a period of intermittent fighting,…
Read More
Why the Roman bathhouse was more than just a place to wash, and what they were like inside. What You’ll Hear 1:51: How the baths worked 2:18: What the bathhouse looked like 2:49: The bathing process 4:04: The role of the servant 4:36: The Roman baths in Bath Prefer to read instead? Click here for…
Read More
Introduction The Roman fort of Vindolanda on the Northern Frontier of the Empire, including what life was like for the commanding officer and his family, and the remarkable discovery of perfectly preserved tablets. What You’ll Hear 1:32: The fort of Vindolanda 2:14: The Vindolanda Tablets 2:45: How the collection was discovered 3:22: The challenges of…
Read More
Introduction If you read my blog about the Battle of Crecy, you’ll be familiar with Philip the Fair of France and King John the Blind of Bohemia. Both of these men faced Edward III, who may have been the victor on the battlefield but was no match for his adversaries when it comes to descriptive…
Read More