Ancient History News Archive May 2011

If you find yourself in Italy in the near future, you might want to check out "Portraits: The Many Faces of Power," at the Capitoline Museums (Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome). This exhibition is one of five annual shows in Rome which trace the trajectory of Roman art through the centuries and through various media. The exhibition, running until September 25, showcases over one hundred fifty busts.

I just wanted to alert our users that a great resource is available to you for free! If you enjoy watching documentaries--especially those on ancient history--you must check out Top Documentary Films. The website includes free, streaming, online documentary films, and movies on a variety of topics. It's a fantastic tool for the scholar, educator, and casual viewer alike!

South of the bustling Lebanese capital--the alluring Beirut--is the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre. In its heyday it was a major center of international trade and commerce. From Tyre, Phoenician merchants and sailors  sailed to present day Spain, Greece, and Tunisia. The ruins of the old city are remarkably intact and bear witness to centuries of invasions... [continue reading]

With over a hundred objects from the Brooklyn Museum's fine collection of Ancient Egyptian art, "To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum" is a spellbinding, traveling exhibition in the United States. The exhibition focuses, not surprisingly, on the religious beliefs of the Egyptians. Specific attention is given to the practical and economic... [continue reading]

A Roman ship was been uncovered just outside of Rome, between Ostia and Fiumicino International Airport, while repair work was being conducted on a local bridge. Ostia ("Ostia Antica") was once one of the richest cities in Rome as it lay near the mouth of the Tiber River. The ship discovered is the largest ever excavated near the city and could provide new information... [continue reading]