Roman Roads
'All Roads Lead to Rome'
The old saying 'all roads lead to Rome' is generally thought to mean many paths can lead to the same goal. However, it originates from the fact that in ancient times most roads literally did lead to Rome.
In the United Kingdom there were no roads before the arrival of the Romans who made a network of straight, solid roads built on foundations of clay, chalk and gravel with large flat stones placed on top.
These highways were slightly raised in the middle and sloping down either side so that rain and surface water would drain off into the ditches at the sides.
It isn't just the idea of roads that we got from the Romans, over twenty five roads in the UK today are built on top of the original roads the Romans made in Britain all those years ago.
Kate Williams
The old saying 'all roads lead to Rome' is generally thought to mean many paths can lead to the same goal. However, it originates from the fact that in ancient times most roads literally did lead to Rome.
In the United Kingdom there were no roads before the arrival of the Romans who made a network of straight, solid roads built on foundations of clay, chalk and gravel with large flat stones placed on top.
These highways were slightly raised in the middle and sloping down either side so that rain and surface water would drain off into the ditches at the sides.
It isn't just the idea of roads that we got from the Romans, over twenty five roads in the UK today are built on top of the original roads the Romans made in Britain all those years ago.
Kate Williams
www.history.com
Galea Helmet
A galea was one of many soldiers helmets. Some gladiators also wore a bronze galea with a face mask and a decoration, often a sea creature like a fish on its crest. The exact form or design of the helmet evolved significantly over time, between differing unit types, and also between separate examples.
Originally, Roman helmets were influenced by the neighbouring Etruscans, people who utilised the "Nasua" type helmets. The Greeks in the south also influenced Roman design in the early years of Rome's establishment. For instance, the ancestor of the Chalcidian helmet, the Attic Helmet , was widely used by officers until the end of the Roman Empire. Lastly, the Gauls were the peoples who most impacted the design of the Roman helmet hence the popular "Imperial Gallic" type helmets. In addition to this, it is commonly thought that the Gauls also introduced chainmail to the Romans.
Judah Toimata
Originally, Roman helmets were influenced by the neighbouring Etruscans, people who utilised the "Nasua" type helmets. The Greeks in the south also influenced Roman design in the early years of Rome's establishment. For instance, the ancestor of the Chalcidian helmet, the Attic Helmet , was widely used by officers until the end of the Roman Empire. Lastly, the Gauls were the peoples who most impacted the design of the Roman helmet hence the popular "Imperial Gallic" type helmets. In addition to this, it is commonly thought that the Gauls also introduced chainmail to the Romans.
Judah Toimata
Roman Jewellery
Roman jewellery was highly popular in the Roman period, as all genders wore and took pride in it. Most jewellery was made up of coloured gemstones and glass, and was used for aesthetic purposes (en.m.wikipedia.org). But the main concept was to show off the rich expense and wealth the jewellery gave.
The wealthier citizens of Rome mainly wore gold, silver and gemstones, whilst the lower class commonly wore bronze or other less expensive metals. However, as pretty and fascinating the expensive gemstones seemed, blacksmiths cunningly didn't put much effort into actually carving the stones. The glass makers were known to be so skilled, that they could trick the gullible crowd into thinking that glass beads and ornaments were actually gemstones. When gems were utilized, the stones Roman woman wore turned out to be amethyst, emerald and pearl (en.m.wikipedia.org).
Roman women were known to wear much more jewellery than men would.
They would decorate themselves with earnings, necklaces, (including a choker-style necklace), rings and bracelets. Jewellery was more for women as it was their property, and looked as though they were more higher class and wealthy.
The only jewellery men really wore was rings and pendants, however they wore multiple rings at once. This was how the signet ring was discovered, and was used continually by emperors and rulers. Children also wore jewellery, though not much. A single amulet was placed around children's neck to protect them from the believed illness and misfortune (historyofjewelry.net).
Lauren Mellor
The wealthier citizens of Rome mainly wore gold, silver and gemstones, whilst the lower class commonly wore bronze or other less expensive metals. However, as pretty and fascinating the expensive gemstones seemed, blacksmiths cunningly didn't put much effort into actually carving the stones. The glass makers were known to be so skilled, that they could trick the gullible crowd into thinking that glass beads and ornaments were actually gemstones. When gems were utilized, the stones Roman woman wore turned out to be amethyst, emerald and pearl (en.m.wikipedia.org).
Roman women were known to wear much more jewellery than men would.
They would decorate themselves with earnings, necklaces, (including a choker-style necklace), rings and bracelets. Jewellery was more for women as it was their property, and looked as though they were more higher class and wealthy.
The only jewellery men really wore was rings and pendants, however they wore multiple rings at once. This was how the signet ring was discovered, and was used continually by emperors and rulers. Children also wore jewellery, though not much. A single amulet was placed around children's neck to protect them from the believed illness and misfortune (historyofjewelry.net).
Lauren Mellor