Authority - Men of Pompeii

Religious Authority and Political Power: The Pontifex Maximus

Explore the Pontifex Maximus' dual role in ancient Rome, blending religious authority with political power and lasting legacy.

The Roman Cursus Honorum: Climbing the Ladder to Political Success

Explore the Roman Cursus Honorum, the political career path in ancient Rome combining military and political roles for success.

Senatorial Families: How Dynasties Maintained Power for Centuries

Explore how Roman senatorial families maintained power through wealth, alliances, and influence from Republic to Empire.

The Secret Police of Ancient Rome: Safety or Surveillance State?

Explore Ancient Rome's secret police, the Frumentarii and Agentes in Rebus, balancing safety and surveillance in imperial control.

Patronage Networks: The Social Web That Held Rome Together

Explore how patronage networks shaped social ties and power in ancient Rome, uniting society through mutual obligations and rituals.

Roman Adoption as a Political Tool: Creating Heirs for Power

Explore how Roman adoption shaped political power, succession, and dynastic stability through strategic heir selection in ancient Rome.

Maximinus Thrax to Diocletian: Soldier-Emperors Who Changed History

Explore how soldier-emperors like Maximinus Thrax shaped Rome during the Crisis of the Third Century and sparked major reforms.

Empresses Behind the Throne: Women Who Quietly Ruled Rome

Discover how empresses quietly shaped Roman politics, wielding power behind the throne and influencing history without official rule.

Pompey the Great: The Military Genius Who Reshaped Rome’s Eastern Empire Before Falling to Caesar

Explore how Pompey the Great, Rome’s military genius, reshaped the eastern empire by defeating piracy and Mithridates VI, yet ultimately fell to Julius Caesar, illustrating the fatal contradictions of the late Roman Republic.

Roman Triumphs: Celebrating Military Victories in the Streets of Rome

Explore the grandeur of Roman Triumphs, celebrating military victories with rituals, processions, and ancient Rome’s rich traditions.

How Roman Generals Became Emperors: Ambition, Loyalty, and Betrayal

Explore how ambition, loyalty, and betrayal enabled Roman generals like Caesar to rise from commanders to emperors.

The Crisis of the Third Century: Emperors Who Tried to Save Rome

Explore the Crisis of the Third Century and meet the emperors who fought to save a collapsing Roman Empire.

The Julio-Claudian Dynasty: Scandals, Succession, and Survival

Explore the Julio-Claudian dynasty's scandals, succession struggles, and survival in Rome’s first imperial era.

Uncovering the Power Struggles in the Roman Senate: Key Players and Turning Points

Explore power struggles, key figures, and pivotal moments shaping the Roman Senate during the Republic era.

The Rise and Legacy of Roman Dictators: From Sulla to Caesar

Explore how Sulla and Caesar shaped Rome's shift from Republic to Empire through contrasting dictatorship styles and reforms.

Domitian: The Complex Legacy of Rome’s Last Flavian Emperor

Domitian, last Flavian emperor (81–96 apr. J.-C.), ruled Rome with autocracy and reform. His reign combined military successes, administrative discipline, and cultural patronage amid senatorial opposition. This article examines his complex legacy, debating whether he was a tyrant or a pragmatic ruler who stabilized the empire during turbulent times.

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