Alexander Meddings

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.

History’s Most Unflattering Portraits

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Every historical age has produced its fair share of hilarious portraiture. From the hapless Habsburgs (sorry again Habsburgs) and the demonic Danish Royal Family to former president George Bush's woeful rendition of Vladimir Putin (so bad it's a miracle it didn't trigger World War Three), here are 10 of the most heinously unflattering portraits in history.

Hidden Rome: the City Beneath the Streets

Theater of Pompey

When the Roman Empire fell, the city of the Caesars fell with it—its pagan monuments mainly destroyed, converted into churches, or simply built over. We’ve uncovered but a fraction of the ancient city that underlies the modern metropolis. And while some monuments, like the Pantheon, have survived haphazardly many of the Eternal City's monuments lie hidden. Until now.