https://www.patreon.com/rome_is_the_light, https://www.romeisthelight.com/shop

Rome Is The Light, Dublin (2026)

30/04/2026

😀👇𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝟏𝟒𝟓𝟑 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏:

While it can be said that a great many people did not come to the defence of Constantinople when the call was issued. It was, very likely, a much more complex and difficult situation than merely saying, this city, this country, etc., did not answer the call for aid.

However, for the purpose of this series, I will try to introduce those who did answer the call, albeit, few in number, there was enough to show that, in my opinion, that there was still some individuals not willing to let theological disagreement get in their way of helping the Roman Empire.

👉𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 were one such group who answered the call, their names are Antonio, Paolo and Troilo Bocchiardi, three individuals who all volunteered their services and led a reasonably sized detachment of soldiers to Constantinople, a venture which was paid for out of their own funds. They provided vital assistance in defending the city during the siege. In a letter written a few days after the attack and surrender of Pera to the Turks, it states the brothers were Venetians.

‘The brothers Paolo, Troilo and Antonio were guarding a difficult spot, where the city was in danger, with their own funds, their own arms, and with the highest care day and night and withstood fire and bolts valiantly with courage, on foot and on horse… They feared neither the collapsed walls nor the force of the cannon and won for themselves eternal memory’ Archbishop Leonard📗✍

It is thought that during the final hours of the siege, when the Turks had got through the great wall, the Bocchiardi brothers continued the struggle until they were outflanked and almost surrounded. The provided such resistance that the Sultan actively searched among his prisoners to identify them.

21/04/2026

😀👇🎁🎈𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐢 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚 𝟐𝟕𝟕𝟗 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐎𝐥𝐝:

The Romans were of the believe that their community first took shape under the rule of the Kings in 753 B.C. The surviving sources are full of a great many exciting stories of which many are difficult to evaluate and their accuracy is controversial. Eusebius, in the 4th-century compiled a list of many of the founding stories, a task indicative of the difficulties in determining the true nature of the founding of Rome. One of the more agreed upon traditions pinpoint Rome as having been founded by Romulus, who was a member of the royal house of Alba Longa, a mythical city in the Alban Hills. Romulus and his brother Remus were said to have been the sons of Rhea Silvia, the daughter of King Numitor.

Numitor having been deposed by his brother Amulius, and the latter having made Rhea a Vestal Virgin in order to prevent the potential for any rival claimants to the throne. However, as things developed, Rhea became pregnant and was ordered by Amulius to have her two sons drowned in the Tiber. The two sons would not drown but wash ashore at the foot of the Palatine, from there they were suckled by a she-wolf and subsequently rescued by shepherds.

Years later when they had grown up they came to represent a band of shepherd warriors and for a time lived as brigands. However, the pair soon became aware of their true identity and launched an attack on Alba, and after overthrowing Amulius, they placed their grandfather back on the throne.

From this point they decided to lead a colony from Alba and create a city at the place where they had been rescued. It was from this Rome was established, and it would take its name Romulus, who would go on to become the founder of Rome and its first king after he has committed the murder of his brother Remus after they had become embroiled in an insignificant argument.

01/04/2026

🙂👇𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐎𝐫 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦?:

18/03/2026

😀👇𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

It was a few days after the Fall of Constantinople that three ships reached Crete, with the sailors who had defended the towers of Constantinople, they had been released by Mehmed for their heroic efforts. The island of Crete was in shocking, as one monk wrote, ‘Nothing worse than this has happened, nor will happen’.

When the Venetian fleet returned back to Venice, on the 29th of June 1453, having arrived too late to save Constantinople, news quickly spread of the last bastion of the Roman Empire having fallen. It was said that, ‘A great and excessive crying broke out, weeping, groaning… everyone beating thwir chests with their fists , tearing at their heads and faces, for the death of a father or a son or brother, or for the loss of their property’.📗✍

The Senate in Venice suspend the voting after hearing the news. News was dispatched across Italy with many refusing to believe the city had fallen, like Venice, there was widespread mourning in Italy.

Lots of rumours spread about the cruelty of the Turks and that they were preparing to invade Italy.

Frederick III wept when he heard the news in Germany. More and more Europe fell into mourning as words and debates of crusades became the topic of the time.

For Pope Pius II, Christian culture was at stake, which he expressed at a meeting in Mantua in 1459.

‘We ourselves allowed Constantinople, the capital of the east, to be conquered by the Turks. And while we sit at home in ease and idleness, the arms of these barbarians are advancing to the Danube and the Sava.”📗✍

Despite the mourning across Europe, and the anger towards the Turks, the speeches did not unite Europe. The powers of Europe were too jealous of each other and too disunited.

What is your view of the fall?.📗✍

16/03/2026

😀👇𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝:

Have we ever wondered why bathing in the Roman World was popular?. It can be said that in a modern world and context, the idea behind bathing is for hygienic purposes. However, for the Roman World it went beyond this, it was a social activity that integrated into the daily life serving the entire community. We can see by the end of the Roman Republic, most Romans would partake in a light lunch, followed by a siesta, and then spend the afternoon in the numerous public baths, all of which had become a part of urban life.

There is not one singular answer for the popularity of the baths, however, when one considers the experience of bathing involved the opportunity to immerse yourself in the warm, clear water, of the baths, as well as being surrounded by the lavish and decorative surroundings of the baths interiors, it perhaps acted as a way for the people to disconnect themselves from the troubles of the outside world. Furthermore, the act of bathing was a way of removing the social barriers that were present in all other aspects of society. A place where one could come shoulder to shoulder with the Roman Emperor, of which we have accounts for.

Perhaps we should not exclude the possibility for there having been an interest to share the bathing process. Although, there is evidence for the separation of baths into men and women, there seems to have been an overall acceptance of mixed bathing during the empire.

There was also the health benefits believed to come from certain types of bathing, as bathing in cold/warm, fresh/salty waters was considered to have been good for you.

Lastly, we have accounts of Greek and Roman doctors who promoted therapeutic bathing, with Asclepiades of Prusa recommending a strict routine of diet, exercise and baths.

What do you think of Roman Baths?.

15/03/2026

😀👇𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐞𝐬𝐚𝐫 ‘𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡’ 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐:

Tillius Cimber approached first, pretending to plead for Caesar’s mercy on behalf of his exiled brother. He then wrenched the toga from Caesar’s shoulders and this provided opportunity for the attack. The first blow was struck by one of a pair of brothers called Casca, but he had been unsuccessful and this allowed Caesar an opportunity to fight back. Caesar was said to have responded to these attacks with ‘𝐖𝐡𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞!’ (𝐈𝐬𝐭𝐚 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐯𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐭!) 📗✍

Only 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐬 and 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐬, neither of them well known, had attempted a defence. They, and the pen in Caesar’s own hand, were all that remained of the vast mass forces that had protected and idolised the dictator.

Four of the five ancient sources agree that Caesar tried to defend himself. Dio says there were too many attacks for Caesar to say or do anything in response. Nicolaus of Damascus says Caesar stood up to defend himself. Plutarch says Caesar turned around and grabbed Casca’s dagger by the handle. Appian says he hurled away Casca with great violence and stabbed him with his stylus. No two sources agree on what Caesar shouted during this time if anything at all.

The conspirators now surrounded Caesar in a circle, as the rest of the blows came fast and furious. Casca’s brother Gaius stabbed him in the ribs, Cassius slashed him across the face, Decimus stabbed deep under the ribs, but several of them missed and hit other conspirators instead. Although, the ancient sources do not agree on what Caesar said, they all agree, except for Nicolaus of Damascus, on what he did. He was said to have pulled his toga over his head.

The assassins expected loud plaudits but no praise came. 😪💔

26/01/2026

😀👇𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐱 𝐨𝐧 𝐔𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞:

📌New Julius Caesar Merchandise:
www.romeisthelight.com🏛️

It was Vespasian who reinstituted a tax on the sale of human urine that had been in place under Nero. In Rome, people in the city would have urinated into ceramic pots along the streets. It was a task of the slaves to collect these pots and empty them in the cesspools. What was it used for?.

It was sold to the fullers at times, the people who would use the urine of humans in the process of industrial processing of woollen garments & to others who had industrial purposes for it. This practise was allegedly looked down on by the son of Vespasian, Titus, and in his famous reply to his son, Vespasian held a coin up to the nose of Titus and asked him if it smelled. Titus replied with no, to which Vespasian informed him ‘and yet it comes from piss’. Suetonius Life of Vespasian 23.3 📗✍

The introduction of this tax is a demonstration of the level to which Vespasian was willing to go to in order to raise funds for the betterment of the empire. The tax was such a success that it allowed Vespasian an expensive building program. Albeit, his frugality & lack of games was not appreciated.

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧:

The funds helped to repair the damage as caused by the recent civil wars and the great fire of 64 A.D. Vespasian also completed the reconstruction of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill in 75 A.D. Although, it must be said that a lot of the works that were carried out were inclined to erase the memory of the previous dynasty, the Julio-Claudians. Vespasian was keen to promote his own Flavian Dynasty at the expense of the Julio-Claudians. An example of the rejection of the Julio-Claudians was having the Colosseum built on top of Nero’s palace.

07/01/2026

🙂👇𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐬:

The water needs of the large bats and thermae were colossal. It has been calculated by H. Manderscheid to have been about 2,000m³. However, this only takes into account the still water in the Natatio (Swimming Pool), and the other pools, so, it has been suggested that this amount could be doubled through the constant daily use of running water for bathing, as well as the many decorative items throughout the Natatio, such as the many fountains.

As aptly said by Seneca ‘What masses of water flow with a crash from step to step’.

Some of the baths were so large that it was necessary to supply them directly from the numerous aqueducts coming into the Eternal City. The Baths of Caracalla was supplied through the Aqua Antoniniana, which was a special branch of the Aqua Marcia. The reservoir that supplied the Baths of Caracalla is estimated at 42,000m³, which was about three times the size needed to supply its Natatio, and 1/24th the supply that was needed to supply the city of Rome.

However, it is important to note that a lot of this water use was needlessly excessive and that it could have functioned with far less. It was the desire to display water on such levels that led to such quantities being used. The more water being uses and on display, demonstrated the power and prestige of the city of Rome. When there was baths in dry locations, these amenities could function with a much reduced water supply. In these locations they could have very easily been supplied by local wells, cisterns, etc.

The city of Rome was very different and its ability to control water on such colossal levels helped it to achieve the levels of greatness in which it did.

𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞🏛️:
www.romeisthelight.com/shop

(Any Support is Appreciated).📌

31/12/2025

😀👇🎅🎄⛄𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐:

Macrobius, in his discussion of the origins of the Saturnalia festival, explains that it was usually a celebration from the 14th-17th, since the 14th was used for the Numan calendar, whereas the 17th was used for the Julian calendar after Caesar added two days to the month. It was under Augustus that the festival was reduced to three days in order that the civil courts would not need to be closed any longer than necessary. The length fluctuated regularly but overall everyone continued to celebrate for a full week.

The Saturnalia festival was held around the time of the winter solstice. It was held in honour of Saturn, a figure who was often explained as the god of sowing or of seed-corn, thereby his celebration would naturally come to an end on the last sowing period of the year. The temple for Saturn was dedicated on the 17th of December in 498 B.C., proving to be one of the oldest and most sacred places in Rome. It was rebuilt in 42 B.C. by L. Munatius Plancus and again in the 4th-centruy A.D. by the senate and people of Rome as recorded on the architrave. It contained a statue of Saturn which was bound with woollen bonds, which were undone on the day of Saturnalia. The temple contained the State treasury, located beneath the stairs under the high podium.

It was at this temple the Saturnalia opened with a great sacrifice, at which the senators and knights wore their togas. It was followed by a sumptuous banquet, that we are told, anyone could attend. A tradition established in 217 B.C., a date that Livy claimed the Saturnalia was first created.

‘For a day and a night the cry of the Saturnalia resounded through the City, and the people were ordered to make that day a festival and observe it as such for ever" Livy History of Rome 22.1.19 ✍📚

23/12/2025

😀👇🎅🎄⛄𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏:

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐈𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚!🍷

It is one of the best known Roman festivals and perhaps the most popular too. As described by Catullus ‘the best of days’ (optimus dierum). The love for the Saturnalia by Catullus is demonstrated in the surviving poem of the latter, titled ‘14A’

‘More than my own eyes I love you, Calvus, you great tease: were it not so, for that ghastly gift of yours I'd hate you like Vatinius!

What did I ever do or say to make you
finish me off with all these rotten poets?

May high gods heap troubles on that client who sent you such a parcel of blasphemers!

Still, if (as I suspect) this new recherche
gift came to you from Sulla, Man of Letters.

I don't take it amiss, but am delighted,
seeing that all your work has not been wasted.

Great gods, what a disgusting little booklet, and you carefully chose the time to send it to your Catullus, so that you would kill him on that best of all days, the Saturnalia!

No, you won't get away with this, you smartass, first thing tomorrow morning I'll go round the booksellers' stalls, buy Caesius, Aquinus, Suffenus, all the poison on the market, pay you back with a counterdose of torture.

Meanwhile, you lot, out-back where you hauled your bad feet from, time's trash, appalling poets!’ ✍📗

The Saturnalia started on December 17, four days before the solstice, and lasted up to seven days under the empire. It was said to have been, from a strictly religious point of view, celebrated only on the 17th of December, but in reality it was practised to as many as seven days by the time of Cicero, as it is attested by Novius, a writer of Atellene farces. The number did fluctuate during the course of the Roman Empire, between three, five and seven days.

19/11/2025

😀👇𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐:

This expectancy of the people to get more and more from the imperial government became a point of no return for the Republican Government and beyond into the imperial age. The state then not only assumed the responsibility that adequate food was on sale at reasonable prices in the many markets but also they were responsible for the collection, transport and distribution of a proportion of the total food required.

Food shortages as previously mentioned were an ever present concern for the Eternal City with an urban population that was as dependant on imports as Rome was. There was 37 attested incidents of food shortage between the 2nd Punic War up to the reign of Emperor Augustus in 31 B.C. However, as with any shortage of a product was a response by the merchants to hoard supplies and purposely causing food prices to soar. This was something that the emperor Diocletian tried to stop with his Edict of Maximum Prices. As a result of the aforementioned prices, social unrest and rioting would erupt in Rome. Between Augustus and the Emperor Septimius Severus there was 10 assigned to the former and 23 in total between 31 B.C. up to 193 A.D.

The cost involved in transporting food and produce in general overland was very expensive, so, most came to Rome by water. However, Rome was about 15 miles inland and the facilities early on for storage was poor. Ostia performed the function of Rome’s river port and large vessels would unload onto smaller vessels for the transport to Rome. Some of the produce was temporarily stored at Ostia but the conditions were poorly sheltered and hazardous, some of the smaller merchants boats were able to proceed directly to Rome via the river. The conditions at Ostia, made larger ships having to store their produce at Putedi, a town about 7 miles south-west of Naples.

Rome Is The Light

30/04/2026

21/04/2026

01/04/2026

18/03/2026

16/03/2026

15/03/2026

26/01/2026

07/01/2026

31/12/2025

23/12/2025

19/11/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category