The Unknown Leonardo Da Vinci
Of the venerated titans of Florence’s cultural Renaissance, none left quite the same mark as Leonardo Da Vinci (1452 – 1519). This article walks you through lesser-known aspects of his life.
Alexander Meddings
Based in Rome, Alexander Meddings is a published historian, writer and tour guide. After completing his Roman History MPhil at Oxford University, he moved to Italy to pursue his passion at the source.
Between Worlds: Reflections on Diving Baia, Italy
Between Worlds is partly a travel article, partly a treatise on time and transience inspired by a diving session in Baia, Italy. It was first published in the salutary edition of the Scene and Heard.
The Strangest Food Delicacies in History
From delicacies derived from intestinal slurry to poultry dressed up as mythical beasts, should you have the stomach for this article, read on.
Damnatio Memoriae: How the Romans Erased People from History
Erasure as a form of posthumous punishment stretches back as far as human history. With the burning of books, destruction of images and retelling (or rewriting) of histories. The Romans, however, seem to have first formalized the practice in what we now refer to as 'damnatio memoriae.'
A Historian Debunks History’s Most Pervasive Myths
If there were ever a line between history and mythology, few would know where to draw it. No matter how widely read or informed we may believe ourselves to be, our understanding of the past is saturated with inaccuracies, be they…
Spilling the Beans on the Best Coffee in Florence
Florence might be most famous for its art and architecture, but its lesser-known coffee culture is undergoing a renaissance of its own.
The World’s Quirkiest Hotels
Few would have once said that the hotel makes the holiday. But in this brave new world of niche travel, international interconnectivity, and Instagram, accommodation is increasingly coming to occupy centre stage...
Famous Films Set in Rome
Exploring Rome can feel like wandering through a film set. World-famous monuments, like the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Trevi Fountain, emerge as though from out of nowhere, thronged by locals who mingle like extras around their bars and cafes. With such an…
The Best Bistecca alla Fiorentina in Florence
Seeking out Florence's finest fillets? Let's take you through the best the city has to offer.
The Emperor Caligula’s Unlikely Role Model
Rulers have always idolised and imitated past figures, and Rome's emperors were no different. The emperor Caligula cultivated an affiliation with Alexander the Great. Without a great deal of success.
