Ancient Coin of the Day: Today's thread is about Didius Julianus, the man who bought the position of Emperor from the Praetorian Guard on this day, 28 March, in AD 193. #ACOTD #Numismatics #Rome 🧵🏺 Image: RIC IV Didius Julianus 1; MoFA Boston (1999.514). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 28 March - in AD 193 the Praetorian Guard brought the brief reign of Pertinax to a bloody end. His refusal to pay the Guard the expected donative hastened his removal. #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RIC IV Pertinax 11A; Münzkabinett Berlin (18277527). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 23 March - in AD 59 Agrippina the Younger, one of the most significant figures of the Julio-Claudian period, was assassinated on the orders of her son, the emperor Nero. #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RIC Nero 6; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 5469). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 23 March - in AD 59 Agrippina the Younger, one of the most significant figures of the Julio-Claudian period, was assassinated on the orders of her son, the emperor Nero. #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RIC Nero 6; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 5469). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

So, um... this is bad. Really bad. I looked at the letters that were translated by the AI, and the very first one I found was almost entirely hallucination. Thread:

#OnThisDay - 22 March - in AD 238 the decidedly brief reign of the Gordians began, after the proclamation of Gordian I in Africa. His tenure - alongside his son, Gordian II - would end on 12 April AD 238. #History 🏺 Image: RIC IV Gordian I 1; ANS 1935.117.97. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 20 March - in 43 BC, my favourite (& the best!) poet Publius Ovidius Naso was born in "watery Sulmo". Brilliant, controversial, and breathing poetry, his verse would run him foul with the Emperor Augustus. #Ovid 🏺 Image: 'Ovid in Exile', by Ion Theodorescu-Sion (1915)

#OnThisDay - 17 March - in AD 180 Marcus Aurelius died near Sirmium, Pannonia. Dio (72.33) suggests that his end came through his physicians, acting to please his heir Commodus. #History 🏺 Image: RIC III Marcus Aurelius 407; British Museum (1856,1101.75). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 17 March - in 45 BC Julius Caesar was victorious at the Battle of Munda, defeating the forces commanded by Titus Labienus and Gnaeus Pompeius. #Caesar #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RRC 468/1; Münzkabinett Berlin (18216705). Link - numismatics.org/crro/id/rrc-...

#OnThisDay - 17 March - in AD 180 Marcus Aurelius died near Sirmium, Pannonia. Dio (72.33) suggests that his end came through his physicians, acting to please his heir Commodus. #History 🏺 Image: RIC III Marcus Aurelius 407; British Museum (1856,1101.75). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 17 March - in 45 BC Julius Caesar was victorious at the Battle of Munda, defeating the forces commanded by Titus Labienus and Gnaeus Pompeius. #Caesar #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RRC 468/1; Münzkabinett Berlin (18216705). Link - numismatics.org/crro/id/rrc-...

#OnThisDay - 16 March - in AD 37 Emperor Tiberius passed away at Misenum. Tacitus (Ann. 6.50) notes that at one point he seemed to return to life... so Macro, the Praetorian Prefect, had him smothered with a pile of clothes. #History 🏺 Image: RIC Tiberius 27. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 15 March - in 44 BC Julius Caesar was killed. Suetonius says that he "was stabbed with twenty-three wounds, uttering merely a groan at the first strike, and not a word..." (Divus Julius 82). #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RRC 480/8; ANS 1937.158.299. Link - numismatics.org/crro/id/rrc-...

#OnThisDay - 15 March - in 1760 this beautiful fresco, showing a woman seemingly deep in thought, was discovered at Villa Arianna, Stabiae. I love the way her foot dangles and the drapery falls. #Archaeology 🏺 Image: National Archaeological Museum, Naples (9097). 📸Carole Raddato.

#OnThisDay - 15 March - in 44 BC Julius Caesar was killed. Suetonius says that he "was stabbed with twenty-three wounds, uttering merely a groan at the first strike, and not a word..." (Divus Julius 82). #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RRC 480/8; ANS 1937.158.299. Link - numismatics.org/crro/id/rrc-...

#OnThisDay - 15 March - in 1760 this beautiful fresco, showing a woman seemingly deep in thought, was discovered at Villa Arianna, Stabiae. I love the way her foot dangles and the drapery falls. #Archaeology 🏺 Image: National Archaeological Museum, Naples (9097). 📸Carole Raddato.

#OnThisDay - 14 March - in AD 69 the Arval Brethren made vows for the safe return of the emperor Otho, on his setting out from Rome to fight Vitellius' forces (see also Tacitus, Histories 1.90). #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RIC Otho 13; British Museum (R.6333). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 14 March - in AD 69 the Arval Brethren made vows for the safe return of the emperor Otho, on his setting out from Rome to fight Vitellius' forces (see also Tacitus, Histories 1.90). #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RIC Otho 13; British Museum (R.6333). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

Two lost Doctor Who episodes from the 1960s found … and regenerated

Greatest honour of my career so far. As founding editor I'm proud to announce @edinburghup.bsky.social Studies in Late Roman History. The world's first book series exclusively dedicated to the core domain of Late Antiquity. Like to discuss proposals or manuscripts? Reach out! tinyurl.com/dujjeuth

#OnThisDay - 11 March in AD 222, the controversial reign of Elagabalus came to an end, assassinated by members of the Praetorian Guard. #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RIC IV Elagabalus 143d; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 37688). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 11 March in AD 222, the controversial reign of Elagabalus came to an end, assassinated by members of the Praetorian Guard. #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RIC IV Elagabalus 143d; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 37688). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 9 March - in AD 69 Otho, having usurped the principate in January, was appointed Pontifex Maximus. At almost the same time he set out to suppress the rebellion of Vitellius and the German legions. #History 🏺 Image: RIC Otho 15; BnF (IMP-7283). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 9 March - in AD 69 Otho, having usurped the principate in January, was appointed Pontifex Maximus. At almost the same time he set out to suppress the rebellion of Vitellius and the German legions. #History 🏺 Image: RIC Otho 15; BnF (IMP-7283). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

ClassicsBluesky 🏺🧵 #LatinForTheDay – 7 March #Claudian “par volucer superis, stellas qui vividus aequat durando membrisque terit redeuntibus aevum, non epulis saturare famem, non fontibus ullis adsuetus prohibere sitim; sed purior illum solis fervor alit ventosaque pabula potat...

#OnThisDay - 7 March - in AD 413 Heraclianus, a usurper against the emperor Honorius, died at Carthage following an unsuccessful attempt to invade Italy. #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RIC X Honorius 1319; Münzkabinett Berlin (18213243). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 7 March - in AD 161 the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius died. Accounted one of the 'Five Good Emperors', much of his coinage celebrated the idea of a new 'Golden Age'. #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RIC III Antoninus Pius 131d; ANS 1954.256.38. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 6 March - in 12 BC the Senate declared a Public Holiday as Augustus became Pontifex Maximus. He "preferred the office to be regarded as an honour rather than the spoils of victory" (Seneca, On Clemency 1.10.1) #History 🏺 Image: RIC Augustus 426. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 6 March - in 12 BC the Senate declared a Public Holiday as Augustus became Pontifex Maximus. He "preferred the office to be regarded as an honour rather than the spoils of victory" (Seneca, On Clemency 1.10.1) #History 🏺 Image: RIC Augustus 426. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 4 March - AD 51: thought to be the date Nero received the title 'Princeps Iuventutis' - 'Leader of the Next Generation'. Tacitus (Annals 12.41) calls this a 'sycophancy of the Senate'. #History 🏺 Image: RIC Claudius 76; British Museum (BNK,R.9). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 4 March - AD 51: thought to be the date Nero received the title 'Princeps Iuventutis' - 'Leader of the Next Generation'. Tacitus (Annals 12.41) calls this a 'sycophancy of the Senate'. #History 🏺 Image: RIC Claudius 76; British Museum (BNK,R.9). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

Ancient Graffito of the Day: A spot of ancient scatological scribbling here with this titbit from the latrine in the House of the Gem, Herculaneum: "Apollinaris medicus Titi Imp hic cacavit bene" 'Apollinaris, doctor of the Emperor Titus, Shat well here' #AGOTD 🏺 Image: CIL 4.10619

Ancient Coin of the Day: Something a little niche today, with coins issued by the interesting figure of Vetranio in AD 350, starting with this rather fabulous solidus. #ACOTD #Numismatics 🏺 🧵 Image: RIC VIII Siscia 260; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 28121). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

Hi friends. As I previously noted, the U. of Iowa is planning to get rid of African American studies; Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies, & the Classical Languages major—along with others. If you wish, please sign the classics petition: www.change.org/p/keep-the-c.... I will add more as I find out.

Ancient Graffito of the Day: A spot of ancient scatological scribbling here with this titbit from the latrine in the House of the Gem, Herculaneum: "Apollinaris medicus Titi Imp hic cacavit bene" 'Apollinaris, doctor of the Emperor Titus, Shat well here' #AGOTD 🏺 Image: CIL 4.10619

Ancient Coin of the Day: Something a little niche today, with coins issued by the interesting figure of Vetranio in AD 350, starting with this rather fabulous solidus. #ACOTD #Numismatics 🏺 🧵 Image: RIC VIII Siscia 260; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 28121). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#FrescoFriday - A painted ceiling panel discovered in February 1772 in the bath complex at the Villa of Diomedes, Pompeii (HGW24). A wryly-grinning Medusa head set within a border dominated by four cornucopiae. #Pompeii #Artchaeology 🏺 Image: National Archaeological Museum, Naples (9973)

#OnThisDay - 27 February - likely in AD 272 the future Emperor Constantine was born at Naissus in the province of Moesia (Niš, Serbia). He would be acclaimed emperor on 25 July AD 306. #History 🏺 Image: RIC VII Nicomedia 170; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 37353). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#FrescoFriday - A painted ceiling panel discovered in February 1772 in the bath complex at the Villa of Diomedes, Pompeii (HGW24). A wryly-grinning Medusa head set within a border dominated by four cornucopiae. #Pompeii #Artchaeology 🏺 Image: National Archaeological Museum, Naples (9973)

#OnThisDay - 25 February - in AD 50 Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, the son of Agrippina, was adopted at the age of 12 by the emperor Claudius and was given a new name: Nero. #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RIC Claudius 121; Münzkabinett Berlin (18213948). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 23 February - in AD 303 the emperors Galerius and Diocletian are believed to have begun their official persecutions of Christians, beginning with the destruction of the church at Nicomedia. #History 🏺 Image: RIC VI Nicomedia 33; ANS 1948.19.279. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 21 February - in AD 4 Gaius Caesar, grandson of Augustus, died in Lycia, aged 22. He had been adopted by Augustus in 17 BC and given a series of honours marking him out as a likely successor. #History 🏺 Image: RIC Augustus 198; ANS 1909.78.22. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 20 February - in AD 116 Trajan despatched "laureatae missae" ('laurelled letters') back to the Senate, denoting his claim of victory for his campaign against Parthia. #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RIC II Trajan 373; British Museum (1867,0101.662). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#FrescoFriday - Discovered #OnThisDay - 20 February - in 1851 at the Scavo del Principe di Montenegro, Pompeii (VII.16.10), a scene that is typically identified as Omphale, the Lydian Queen, looking down on a drunken Hercules . #Pompeii 🏺 Image: National Archaeological Museum, Naples (9000)

#OnThisDay - 20 February - in AD 116 Trajan despatched "laureatae missae" ('laurelled letters') back to the Senate, denoting his claim of victory for his campaign against Parthia. #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RIC II Trajan 373; British Museum (1867,0101.662). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

I adore this superb chariot racing mosaic: ca. 2nd Century AD. Discovered #OnThisDay - February 18 - in Lyon in 1806, the elements of the Circus' 'spina' are especially plain to see. #Roman #Archaeology 🏺 Image: Lugdunum Museum (2000.0.1209). Link - lugdunum.grandlyon.com/fr/Oeuvre/14...

I adore this superb chariot racing mosaic: ca. 2nd Century AD. Discovered #OnThisDay - February 18 - in Lyon in 1806, the elements of the Circus' 'spina' are especially plain to see. #Roman #Archaeology 🏺 Image: Lugdunum Museum (2000.0.1209). Link - lugdunum.grandlyon.com/fr/Oeuvre/14...

#OnThisDay - 17 February - in AD 364 the briefly-reigning Roman Emperor Jovian died, while travelling from Ancyra to Constantinople. #AncientHistory 🏺 Image: RIC VIII Sirmium 115; ANS (1944.100.21071). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....

#OnThisDay - 17 February - the Romans celebrated the Quirinalia, the rites of Quirinus - the name ascribed to Romulus following his death and deification (cf. Ovid, Fasti II.475vv.). #Rome 🏺 Image: RRC 427/2; BnF (REP-15138). Link - numismatics.org/crro/id/rrc-...

Tablet addiction is nothing new... Discovered #OnThisDay - 16 February - in 1740 and associated with the Theatre at Herculeaneum. A woman dressed in white holds both writing tablet and stylus, seemingly deep in thought. #Archaeology #Art 🏺 Image: National Archaeological Museum, Naples (9074).