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).

The Library of Hadrian

A regular podcast series about place and space in the ancient Roman Empire. 

“I found Rome built of sun-dried bricks; I leave her clothed in marble.” - Augustus.

History

Society & Culture

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).

The Temple of Bel

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)

Utica

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).

Aurelian Walls

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)

Villa of Theseus

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).

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The Library of Hadrian

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