From the category archives:

Rome

Refugees and the Roman Empire

In the recent Australian federal election, the issue of refugees and boat-people once again reared its head. It got me thinking about the history of Displaced Persons and Refugees, especially in the Roman Empire. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that at the end of 2009, over 43 million people were identified ... Read More

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Ancient Rome and the Global Financial Crisis

The Global Financial Crisis (GFC) is often referred to as the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression, and it probably is, but the GFC and the Great Depression are nothing new. The recent discovery in Somerset County, England of a hoard of 52,000 coins is a good reminder of a much earlier GFC which ... Read More

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Teenage military commanders in the Ancient World

It would be unheard of today for a 19 year old to command a major army. Most parents  are concerned enough about placing a 19 year old in charge of a motor vehicle.  Military commanders around the world today and for many centuries past have generally had decades of experience and hold authority partly on ... Read More

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The end of the Mayan Calendar and the end of the Roman World

Many of you will be aware of the looming end date of the Mayan Long Count Calendar which is due to take place on 21 December 2012. There is considerable interest in this event which is obvious if you simply type the words “Mayan Calendar” into Google.  The recent release of the movie 2012 starring ... Read More

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