Teate: The Resilient Crossroads of the Adriatic In the ancient landscape of South-Eastern Italy, few cities embodied the spirit of cultural survival as well as Teate (known today as Chieti and San Paolo di Civitate). Situated in the fertile rolling…
Tarentum: The Spartan Star of the West While most Greek colonies in Southern Italy were founded by various tribes seeking land, Tarentum (Greek: Taras) had a unique and gritty origin story. It was the only colony ever founded by Sparta,…
Metapontion: The City of the Golden Harvest Located on the “arch” of Italy’s boot in the region of Lucania, Metapontion (Latin: Metapontum) was one of the most prosperous and influential colonies of Magna Graecia. Founded by Achaean Greeks in the…
In the world of ancient numismatics, a helmet decorated with Skylla (or Scylla) is one of the most iconic and artistically sophisticated designs found on Greek coinage. While the classic Athenian “Owl” coins feature Athena in a helmet adorned with…
Athena: Wisdom, Warfare, and the Immortal Owl In the vibrant pantheon of ancient Greek gods and goddesses, few figures command as much respect and fascination as Athena. Born fully grown and armored from the head of Zeus himself, she emerged…
Anastasius I (reigned AD 491–518) was one of the most successful and transformative emperors in Roman/Byzantine history. Often called Anastasius Dicorus (the “Two-Pupilled”) because of a rare condition called heterochromia—one of his eyes was blue and the other black—he is…
