A Christmas Letter from India, 1941
A Christmas Letter from my grandfather to his family, written in 1941 while serving in India.
Alexander Meddings
Based in Rome, Alexander Meddings is a published writer and historian. After completing his Roman History MPhil at Oxford University, he moved to Italy to pursue his passion at the source.
Victorian Christmas Traditions: the Good, the Bad & the Batsh*t Mad
I’m going to take a punt in saying that whatever you know about Victorian Christmas traditions probably comes from Charles Dickens’s 1843 novel “A Christmas Carol” (or, if you’re a 90s kid like me, from the rather less bleak adaptation…
Caligula’s Palace on the Esquiline Hill
The scale of the site pays testament to the the emperor's excesses. As well as identifying a large, luxurious villa and multi-levelled gardens, archaeologists discovered the remains of various animal fauna (including ostriches, deer and even a bear) suggesting this is where Caligula kept his own personal menagerie. But what's most exciting about the discovery is that we most probably have an ancient author who describes it. And I think this ancient author depicts Caligula in a realistic light, as an irascible pampered prince more concerned with his interior decor than the plights of his people.
The Legendary Afterlife of Alexander the Great
Many of us are familiar with Alexander's historical exploits, but few have heard of his legend. As an intrepid adventurer, moralistic journeyman, and messenger of god.
A Tall Order – The Bizarre Story of the Potsdam Giants
Dark and handsome, we don’t know, but King Frederick William I certainly liked his men tall. He was a sucker for uniform too, once confessing that “the most beautiful girl or woman in the world would be a matter of…
Who Was Bloody Mary? The Face Behind the Legend
Who exactly do scare-seekers expect to come face-to-face with when they summon the spirit of Bloody Mary? Read on to find out!
London’s Hidden History
With over 2,000 years of continuous settlement, London is bursting with history. Beneath the very streets you walk, and within the walls of the buildings that line them, are countless stories of the city's dark and violent past. You have just to scratch beneath the surface to find them.
The Truth Behind Caligula’s Nemi Ships
Caligula’s Nemi Ships were destroyed by fire in 1944. But they live on conceptually as vessels for the emperor’s debauchery and excess. According to the ancient sources, when Caligula wasn’t busy indulging his scandalous sex life and shagging his three…
Ancient Jobs from Hell
Read on for a list of ancient jobs that make being a call-centre worker (sorry), a corporate lawyer (sorry again) or a White House Press Officer (actually not sorry here) seem like a walk in the park.
Bologna for Foodies
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you read the word Bologna? If you’re anything like me, I imagine it’s a certain world-famous culinary creation, ragù alla bolognese, which we tend to serve with spaghetti. Every Italian city,…
