by Stephanie Dray | Nov 2, 2011 | Articles, Cleopatra Selene, Daughters of the Nile, For Readers, Heroines, Lily of the Nile, Miscellany, Research, Song of the Nile
For much of its history, Rome depended upon Egypt for grain. While the Romans considered themselves an agricultural nation, and paid great homage to farming in literature, poetry, and art, the simple truth was that they couldn’t feed themselves. By the time Cleopatra...
by Stephanie Dray | Jul 12, 2011 | Daughters of the Nile, Lily of the Nile, Research, Song of the Nile
Augustus Caesar’s most lasting monument is the Ara Pacis, a monument to peace. It’s a splendid work of propaganda, and one could spend a lifetime unraveling all its hidden symbols and meanings. After having defeated Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Augustus...
by Stephanie Dray | Jun 13, 2011 | FAQ
Cross-posted from: Unusual Historicals Blog Entertainment in the ancient world relied upon trained performers. Such training didn’t come cheap, so royal patronage was highly sought after by would-be entertainers. The most prestigious patronage to secure in the...
by Stephanie Dray | Dec 17, 2010 | Miscellany, Song of the Nile
It was a gorgeous day to visit the nation’s capital, even with an inch of snow on the ground. Then again, any day that I get to visit the Library of Congress and use my shiny library card is a good day. My visit today was a mission to find a map of the Roman...