When in Rome

In the outer suburbs of Rome is a well preserved late Roman mausoleum, built for the daughter of Constantine the great. While late Roman in nature it shows the influences of early Christian architecture. Guest: Dr Christopher Gribbin (Adjunct Lecturer, Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).

In Pompeii there is a House of the Baker - a strangely designed dwelling with a famous mosaic of a man handing out bread that gives it its name. But perhaps the image indicates a different scene. Guest: Professor Steven Tuck (History and Classics, Miami University).

The Temple of Bel in Palmyra mixed the religions of Rome with beliefs in the east, providing the residents of the city with their own unique deities. While significant as a Roman temple, it had a long history in the years that followed, and has played an important part in Syria’s recent tragic events. Guest: Dr Peter Edwell (Senior Lecturer, History and Archaeology, Macquarie University).

Founded as a Phoenician city, Utica became an important Roman colony on what is now the Tunisian coast, but it never managed to get past a healthy rivalry with nearby Carthage. Guest: Assistant Professor J. Andrew Dufton (Archeology, Dickinson College)

No structure says ‘Crisis of the Third Century’ more than the Aurelian Walls. The city of Rome had long been at peace and largely untouchable, but Aurelian realised that times had changed, and the capital of the empire needed defending. Guest: Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University).

Cyprus was in an excellent position for trade in the mediterranean, not just for the Roman empire but later for the Byzantine empire as well. In the old capital of Neo Paphos, one of the richest and most extensive residences is the Villa of Theseus. Guest: Dr Christopher Gribbin (Adjunct Lecturer, Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)

Paestum is a city on the western coast of Italy, founded by Greeks and known in the modern day as the site of impressive temples and elaborately painted tombs. Guest: Dr Tiziana D'Angelo (Director, Archeological Park of Paestum and Vella). Support the kickstarter campaign for When in Rome series 7. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nightlight/when-in-rome-podcast-series-7

The cloaca maxima is the great sewer of Rome. A tad smelly but highly functional, it funneled water and waste increasing health and sanitation, and earned admiration for its importance to the people. Guest: Dr Gillian Shepherd (Trendall Centre, La Trobe University)

Venta Silurum was a city on the western fringes of Roman Britannia, established to integrate the conquered tribes of the Silures. Its ruins are found on the grounds of the welsh town of Caerwent, where modern buildings are side by side with the Roman archaeology. Guest: Dr Peter Guest (Vianova Archaeology).

Hadrian loved Greece, and part of his grand plan involved making his mark on the city of Athens. The library he built on the north side of the Acropolis was just one of his building projects, and a contribution to the culture he so admired. Guest: Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University).

Salona was the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia and sits along the coast of the Adriatic on the banks of the river Jadro. It is strongly associated with early Christianity, and is now the largest archaeological site in Croatia. Guest: Dr Christopher Gribbin (Adjunct Lecturer, Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).

Melite was an ancient Roman settlement on the site of M’Dina in modern Malta. A small island in the middle of the mediterranean, Malta was in the path of wars and trade routes throughout the classical period, and we’re only just beginning to learn what it mean to live in Roman Malta. Guest: Robert Brown (PHD candidate in archaeology, Australian National University, and managing director of the Melite Civitas Romana Project).

Palmyra is an ancient ruined city in modern Syria, long known for its place in the Roman empire and strongly influenced by Persian and Hellenistic cultures. In modern times it has been associated with the major destruction by the Islamic State, and there are currently hopes for its restoration. Guest: Dr Peter Edwell (Senior Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology at Macquarie University).

Augustus of Prima Porta is a colossal statue of Augustus, and shows the Emperor dressed in military garb and addressing his troops. It was found in the Villa of Livia, and is one of the most impressive imperial statues you can see today. Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).

Livia had a Villa in Prima Porta, and the high vantage point provided her with a sweeping view of the city of Rome. It is known for a famous statue of Augustus and a luxurious garden dining room. Dr Victoria Austen (Lecturer in Classics, University of Winnipeg).

Londinium was a significant city in the Roman empire, as it was the hub of activity and the capital of the province of Britannia. It was built on the bank of the River Thames and became the largest city in Roman Britain. Guest: Dr Dominic Perring (Director of the Centre for Applied Archaeology at University College London).

The LEGO Colosseum is one of the largest LEGO sets available, containing more that 9000 pieces. It has been designed on such a scale to convey the monumental nature of the Colosseum in Rome, and contains many design elements that reflect those of the building. Guest: Rok Zgalin Kobe (Senior Designer, LEGO Group)

Augusta Emerita was a Roman colony on the Iberian Peninsula in Spain, established by the Emperor Augustus in the wake of campaigns to pacify the region. Now known by the modern name of Merida, it boasts some impressive ruins, including one of the best known Roman theatres still in use today. Guest: Dr Daniel Osland (Senior Lecturer in Classics, University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand).

Trier in Germany was an important Roman colony that gained more prominence during the late empire, and it was about 310CE when the Emperor Constantine decided to build an impressive reception hall attached to his palace. Guest: Dr Christian Rollinger (Lecturer in ancient history, University of Trier).

When Galerius had a big victory against the Persians he decided to celebrate with a fantastic building project. The arch and associated palace complex would dominate the streets of Thessaloniki in Greece, and long remembered after the name of Galerius was forgotten. Guest: Assoc. Professor Caillan Davenport (Senior Lecturer, Roman History, Macquarie University/Humboldt Research Fellow, Goethe University, Frankfurt).