The Gessel hoard

In April 2011, work on a natural gas pipeline in northern Germany unearthed one of the largest gold hoards from prehistoric Europe known. Dated to about 1300 B.C., the Gessel gold hoard consists of 117 artifacts that weigh over 3.7 pounds (1.7 kg).

The Gessel hoard is comprised of 82 spiral rings linked into eight chains of 10 rings and one chain of two rings. An additional 32 spirals of various sizes were also in the hoard. Not jewelry, the spirals were likely a form of currency in the Middle Bronze Age and were crafted from recycled gold. The Gessel hoard's burial is a mystery. Around 3,300 years ago, someone placed the immensely valuable gold in a linen bag, secured the bag with six bronze pins, and buried it, never to return.

Pompeii reveals Narcissus, Leda and the Swan frescoes

In 2019 archeologists discovered a fresco in an ancient Pompeii residence that portrays Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection. The discovery is in the same house where a fresco was found depicting 'Leda and the Swan.' The lavishly decorated houses in ancient Pompeii continue to yield treasures.

Antonine Plague

The Antonine Plague occured from 165 to 180 AD. Ancient sources agree that the epidemic first appeared during the Roman siege of Seleucia in the winter of 165–166. It erupted during the reign of the last of the Five Good Emperors, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (161-180 CE). Lucius Verus, co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius, died from the illness in 169 CE; Marcus Aurelius died 11 years later from the same illness. The ancient pandemic was thought to have been brought to the Roman Empire by troops returning from campaigns, but it also likely travelled along trade routes. The culprit is thought to be an ancestor of the smallpox virus.

The famous physician Galen observed and documented the disease. Symptoms included fever, vomiting, diarrhea, ulcerations of the throat, and a pustular or black rash that covered the body. At the outbreak of the plague, Rome's military consisted of 28 legions totaling 150,000 men. The rapid and severe decline of the Roman military, along with a economic contraction, contributed to the decline and fall of the Empire. The Roman historian Dio Cassius (155-235 CE) estimated 2,000 deaths per day in Rome at the height of the outbreak. In the second outbreak, in 251-266 CE, the estimate was much higher, upwards of 5,000 per day. The death toll of the Antonine Plague is unknowable. Guesses have ranged from 2% to 25% of the population.

Historians point to the bizzare Roman emperor Commodus as a turning point for the empire's greatness. Commodus was emperor jointly with his father Marcus Aurelius from 176 until his father's death in 180, and solely until 192. In the words of a senator, Commodus himself was a curse worse than any plague.

Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was Roman emperor from 161 to 180. A Stoic philosopher, he was a member of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty, the last of the Five Good Emperors and the last emperor of the Pax Romana, a golden age of relative peace, calm, and stability for the Roman Empire lasting from 27 BC to 180 AD. Marcus Aurelius was the son of the praetor Marcus Annius Verus and his wife Domitia Calvilla. He was related through marriage to the emperors Trajan and Hadrian. He served as Roman consul in 140, 145, and 161.

Marcus Aurelius acceded to the throne in 161 alongside his adoptive brother, who took the regnal name Lucius Aurelius Verus. On his deathbed in the spring of 161, Emperor Antoninus Pius had spoken of nothing but his hatred of Vologases IV of Parthia, who made his move in late summer 161. The Parthian War of Lucius Verus was fought between the Roman and Parthian Empires over Armenia and Upper Mesopotamia. It concluded in 166 after the Romans sacked Ctesiphon, the Parthian capital.

Marcus Aurelius reduced the silver purity of the denarius to about 75% or less, a decrease from 83% to 84%. The Antonine Plague broke out in 165 and devastated the Roman Empire, causing the deaths of millions. Lucius Verus may have died from the plague in 169. Marcus Aurelius died in 180 and he was succeeded by his son Commodus. Marcus Aurelius’ reign is regarded as the end of the Pax Romana. (Roman Peace)

Commodus as Hercules

The preceding four emperors (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian and Antoninus Pius) each adopted their successor, thus choosing a worthy candidate. Marcus Aurelius’ biological son Commodus marked, according to a famous quote by the Roman historian Cassius Dio, the descent "from a kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust". Commodus embarked on a career of bizarre, erratic behavior and monstrous cruelty. He enjoyed executing his enemies and perceived enemies personally.

It was the beginning of the end of Rome. In the words of a senator, Commodus himself was a curse worse than any plague.
See ---- Tyrant of ancient Rome Commodus
See ---- Antonine Plague

The 'Dolphin Rider' coinage of Tarentum

Tarentum, the city upon which modern Taranto, Italy was built, was founded in the eighth century BCE. Some attributed the civic beginnings to Taras, the legendary son of Poseidon and Satyria, a local nymph. In his myth, Taras falls from his ship during a storm, and is miraculously rescued and brought to shore by a dolphin. Starting in the very late sixth century BCE, Tarentum began issuing coinage paying tribute to the dolphin.

Though many denominations were struck over the ensuing three centuries, the most iconic was that of the nomos, a silver coin equivalent to two drachmai. Corresponding in size to U.S. nickel, these coins were a staple in regional trade. A vast quantity were struck owing to the fact that Tarentum was one of the most populous cities in the world around 500 BCE.

The worst year to live through in human history - 536 CE

If one were to guess the worst times to live through there are many choices. 1347 CE was nasty as Black Death hit Europe. The Holocaust, between 1941 and 1945. Or 1918, the year of the Spanish flu pandemic. Scientists have come up with their answer. 536 CE. 536 was in the reign of Byzantine emperor Justinian the Great. Temperatures plunged, causing global chaos - drought, crop failures, summertime snow, and widespread famine.

The Triumph of Death. Pieter Bruegel the Elder. 1562.

"For the sun gave forth its light without brightness, like the moon, during the whole year," wrote Byzantine historian Procopius. Temperatures in the summer of 536 fell 1.5°C to 2.5°C, initiating the coldest decade in the past 2300 years. In the year 536 CE, volcanic ash and debris was mixed in with the ice layer, indicating a large volcanic event. Greenland and Antarctic ice cores showed evidence of a second eruption in 540 CE.

When a volcano erupts, it spews sulfur, bismuth, and other substances high into the atmosphere. There, they form an aerosol veil that reflects much of the sun's light back into space, cooling the planet. The dual blasts were from an Iceland eruption.  In 541, bubonic plague struck the Roman port of Pelusium in Egypt. What came to be called the Plague of Justinian spread rapidly, wiping out at least one-third and up to one-half of the population of the eastern Roman Empire. In one year, the outbreak killed an estimated 25 million.

Researchers found Yersinia pestis, the microbe that causes plague, in a mass grave in the ancient city of Jerash in Jordan, near the pandemic's epicentre. The Plague of Justinian's symptoms included sudden high fevers, severe delirium, and painful, swollen lymph nodes (buboes) in the groin, armpits, and neck. It was very rapid onset, with some victims dying almost immediately, while others lingered in agonizing suffering for days before dying.

Year of the Six Emperors

The Year of the Six Emperors occurred in 238 AD when Maximinus Thrax, Gordian I, Gordian II, Pupienus, Balbinus, and Gordian III were recognized as emperors. The Year of the Six Emperors began during the short reign of Maximinus Thrax, who had ruled since 235. Thrax’s reign is considered by many scholars to be the start of the Crisis of the 3rd Century (235–84 AD), during which the Empire was beset by invasions, plague, civil wars and economic difficulties.

Maximinus Thrax was a very tall and large man who likely suffered from acromegaly (gigantism), a pituitary disorder. The likelihood of Maximinus having been acromegalic has been written up in medical journals.

An uprising against corrupt tax officials in the province of Africa spurred locals to proclaim the provincial governor and his son as co-emperors. The Senate supported the claim, causing Maximinus Thrax to march on Rome. Forces of the governor of Numidia entered Carthage in support of Maximinus, and easily defeated the Gordians. The younger was killed in battle and the elder committed suicide by hanging on hearing news of the defeat.

After the African revolt was crushed, the Senate, fearing reprisal from Maximinus for supporting the now-dead Gordians, proclaimed Pupienus and Balbinus as new emperors and charged them with defending the capital.

The Senate elevated the 13-year-old Gordian III, grandson of Gordian I. During the subsequent siege of Aquileia, Maximinus was assassinated by his own troops. Pupienus and Balbinus ruled for 99 days before being murdered by the Praetorian Guard, leaving Gordian III the sole ruler of the empire.

The exact fate of Gordian III is unclear, but he was most likely killed at the Battle of Misiche in early 244 AD.

The Zliten mosaic

The Zliten mosaic is a Roman floor mosaic from about the 2nd century AD, found in the town of Zliten in Libya, on the east coast of Leptis Magna. It was the birthplace of Septimius Severus.

Gladitorial combat between equites, a retiarius and secutor, a thraex and murmillo, a hoplomachus and a bleeding murmillo who is appealing to the referee.

It depicts gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and scenes from everyday life.

The mosaic was discovered in 1913 and is now on display at The Archaeological Museum of Tripoli.

Gladiatorial contests alternate with animal hunts. Across the top border musicians and combat scenes appear. Music was played during matches, accompanying the tempo of the action. Gladiators followed many rules and always fought barefoot. Across the right-hand border, there are scenes of damnatio ad bestias (execution by beasts) and venationes (staged animal hunts). The opposing borders are damaged but show more gladiatorial combat across the bottom and venationes on the left.

Silver Decadrachm of Akragas of 409-406 BC

Having trouble landing the Holy grail Silver Decadrachm of Akragas of 409-406 BC?

$2,918,000 in October 2012. The massive 42-gram masterpiece was issued to pay mercenaries. Struck from just five dies (two obverse, three reverse), about ten survivors are known. The extreme rarity was issued just before the Carthaginian destruction of the city.

For a much more reasonable 175,00 € you may obtain a hand struck silver Akragas Sicily Dekadrachm replica. Here.

Legio V Macedonica

Legio V Macedonica (the Fifth Macedonian Legion) was one of the most significant military units in Roman history. Established in 43 BC by Octavian (Augustus) it as one of the original 28 legions he raised. The legion participated in the naval Battle of Actium in 31 BC and was subsequently stationed in the province of Macedonia, where it earned its name.

Detachments were later sent to Judea to play a critical role in the First Jewish-Roman War. Legio V Macedonica holds the distinction of being the longest-lived Roman legion, spanning 680 years from the late Republic to the Arab conquests of the 7th century AD.

Roman officer's ring, 2nd-3rd century.

Trajan used Legio V Macedonica in his military campaigns against the Dacians in 101-106 AD. One of the legion's officers was the future Roman Emperor Hadrian. The legion also took part in Trajan's Parthian campaign in 115-117 AD.

Septimius Severus issued coins in honor of the 5th Macedonian Legion, which acted on his side during the year of five emperors in 193.

Under Hadrian, the legion was involved in the suppression of the Bar Kokhba revolt (132-136 AD). Under Lucius Verus, the Legio V Macedonica again fought the Parthians in 161-166 AD. The last mention of the legion dates to 635 AD, when it was a part of the army of the Eastern Roman Empire.

U.K. metal detectorist lands Vitellius gold

Ron Walters struck gold after six years of searching the same field near Dudley, West Midlands, every spring and autumn when the crops weren’t sown.

It's believed to be the first gold aureus of Vitellius to ever be recorded in the British Isles.

The very rare 1,955-year-old coin was auctioned and fetched $6,000, which was split with the field’s owner. Aulus Vitellius was Roman emperor for eight months from 19 April to 20 December AD 69. Vitellius followed the quick succession of Galba and Otho, in the Year of the Four Emperors. Suetonius in particular painted Vitellius as an obese glutton. Vitellius was executed in Rome by Vespasian's soldiers on 20 December 69. "Yet I was once your emperor," were his last words. His body was thrown into the Tiber according to Suetonius; Cassius Dio's account is that Vitellius was beheaded and his head paraded around Rome, and his wife attended to his burial. His brother and son were also killed.