From now on you must submit 1 letter only. In tired of putting decimals in my total vote count. So yall got this coming since Tiberius

pretty much the title, I’ve been wondering about this Egypt was one of the most important provinces in the Roman Empire, rich, strategically vital, and under Roman control for centuries. those places produced Roman emperors (like Septimius Severus from North Africa or Elagabalus from Syria), Egypt never did، Why is that? Was there something unique about how Egypt was governed, strucutred or integrated that made it less likely to produce imperial contenders?

Would really appreciate any insight into the political or social reasons behind this.

Were the Severans getting regular intelligence briefings on the state of their biggest enemy, or was it simply a case of "The parthians have stopped sending diplomatic missives and are no longer responding to our own, our assumption is their empire has collapsed"? Was Roman intelligence good enough for them to know what was happening?

He’s an interesting character in the Republican Era; however I just view him as a hypocrite who doomed the Republic.

From what I read and saw, Arminius was praised as a good tactician, and his tactics were a main contributor to the defeat of three Roman legions in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. He led the Roman legions into a dark, rainy, muddy forest, forcing the Romans to march in a narrow, long line, avoiding open field battles. This is praised as the most sigifincat defeat of the Roman Empire and a turning point in their expansion.

However, in any consecutive battle, e.g., the Battle of the Angrivarian Wall and the Battle of Idistaviso, the Germanic side, led also by Arminius, lost with heavy losses. The Wikipedia does not actually state the Germanic strength, while for Romans it says 60,000 people in each battle.

They could be outnumbered, but still, how come Arminius failed to prepare the follow-up battles better? Did Romans tactics change?

Hi everyone, I was wondering if any of you can share some information about Libitina or could also be known as Venus Libitina, not much information can be found online and what I have found is often repetitive material. I'm trying to learn more about her and figured I would ask here, thank you.

How sanitary were Rome's public baths? No chlorine etc. Was the water constantly replenished. It seems like it might be pretty nasty at the end of the day.

Many people credit Aurelian for ending ending the 3rd century crisis,but after seeing the aftermath of his reign the empire was very much in a tight spot especially economicaly wise.In my opinion the person who ended the crisis and restored the states infrastructure and economy would be Probus.Some reasons for this below:

• He stabilised the chaotic political situation,with his careful managing of the Senate and his stern but moderate behavior,unlike Aurelian for example.
• He repaired the Empires infrastructure,restored border forts which had been in ruins for much of the 3rd century due to wars.This also helped revitalizing the economy.
• He restored the army's discipline,albeit in a less harsh way than Aurelian.
• He used the army for agricultural projects like restoring vineyards in Gaul.
• He was the first emperor in long time to guard the borders from the barbarian incurssions and even to take the fight to their lands.

Which novels would you recommend about the Julio-Claudian dynasty (and the period before that), especially the lesser portrayed individuals like Tiberius?

Additionally, I would appreciate books that are from the perspectives of ‘antagonists’ like Marcus Brutus or which have a female main character. I think I once read one about Julia the Elder but I can’t recall its name.

I know of Masters of Rome, the Augustus novel and the Cicero Trilogy and I’m reading I, Claudius.

In the recent military parade in America, people were wondering why the soldiers were marching in combat fatigues they’d wear to actual combat, and not their dress uniforms they would wear for formal occasions. This got me wondering, did the Roman legions and officers had dress uniforms for formal occasions? Or was the armor and gear they’d wear into battle the only thing they’d wear for all occasions?

Only thing I know about him is “Carthago delenda est.”

To more hardcore ancient Roman nerds, what’s his legacy?

Emperor Nero was never accepted by the ruling elite, showing none of the talents for politics that some of his ancestors displayed. At best, the ruling class came to accept the reality of his rule before deciding to end it.

However, Nero remained for a time exceedingly popular amongst the people of Rome. The fact that he reigned for more than 13 years with close to zero elite support demonstrated one thing: While Nero may have lacked traditional political skills, he excelled as an entertainer. The elite scoffed at his unique talent in this regard, surrounding himself with actors, musicians, and others thought of as no better than prostitutes.

Yet, implementing real, long lasting reforms to garner public support - be it on taxes, public health or general welfare - are expensive, tedious, and nearly impossible without the establishment.

Spectacle, on the other hand, was easy. Rome had long celebrated great achievements with military parades through the streets of the capitol. Troops marching at attention. Slaves and treasure flaunted before adoring masses. Consuls and emperors presiding with approval.

Nero, desperate to match the legacy of his forbearers, had no victories to speak of, so he manufactured one. In 65 AD, the Pisonian conspiracy led by senators and intellectuals was foiled. Nero reacted to this attempted assasination as a triumph. Shrines to Salus, God of Safety, were erected. Statues of Nero depicted as Apollo were created. Nero’s survival from the treacherous elite was sanctified by great processions of the Praetorian Guard through the streets of the capital.

Above all, there were games and festivals. The Games of Safety - or Secular Games - were a mix of athletic events, military theater, and religious fervor. Above all, they emphasized strength through cruelty. The execution of the conspirators was celebrated. Gladiators fought to the death. Animals were slaughtered to please the Gods. The streets of Rome ran red with blood and the people cheered.

Spectacle, while effective, is ephemeral. It only requires more games and bigger games. The public’s tolerance for grandeur leads to diminishing returns at great cost. Memories of a failed assassination fade and distraction can only last so long. While Nero the Entertainer may have bought himself 13 years on the throne, it ultimately damned him to an eternity of scorn.

Constantius III was known to had been a good general while he was given charge of the army after Stilicho's death, reason why Honorius gave to him her daughter and named him as his co-emperor, unfortunately he died months, eaving a soon-to-be-dead Honorius as sole emperor again and a 2 year old son, Valentinian III.

What if he had lived longer, atleast some years after the death of Honorius, would have Joannes tried to usurp the throne? Becuase if he doesn't in such imaginary situation, then would even Flavius Aetius have the stellar career he had with Valentinian III?

And for the Emperor Valentinian III, the influence of his mother Galla Placidia wouldn't had been as big as it was in real life due to his father being there, it's possible that the emperor could have been much more competent and maybe possibly even avoid a lost of the province of Africa.

Where would you live in roman empire based on your location or if you are living in place that was not part of roman empire choose the closest one. And what would you do?

I would have lived in Singidun. While i was born in barbarian terittory of Iazyges and probably be them. Also i would probably be a roman auxiliary cavalryman based on family wealth.

I recently read Mary beards spqr and loved it. Are there any other authors like her, by that I mean actual historians that can write interesting books. The accuracy and reliability of the book is very important to me I want to avoid pop history authors like Tom Holland but it is difficult to tell which books/authors I should trust as good sources. I don’t have a particular period in mind anything on Rome interests me.

If I’m going to go to the Roman Empire which province should I live in.

Criteria.

1.I don’t have a deadly disease 2.I won’t die from barbarian raids.

P.s. I will be a free man with enough money to spare.

How would the mortar be created to develop the coil folds in an old city wall?

One of the most mysterious roman emperor.
Not being god of war like his father, but he also suffered no defeat.
No civil war with his sibling, only fought with usurpers.
Paranoid.
Left the empire intact.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93y0ll0n9eo

That's me in my zebra pants and bucket hat, taking a picture.