Saints of Past Ages: Santa Claus was inspired by a real figure who fought against miscarriages of justice
BRIAN THORNTON, in an article first published on The Conversation, looks at some lesser known incidents in the life of the Byzantine bishop born in what is today Turkey…
New section of Emperor Nero’s ‘Golden House’ reopens
Rome, Italy Reuters A section of Ancient Roman Emperor Nero’s vast underground Domus Aurea (Golden House) has been reopened to the public after extensive restoration and repair work to protect the nearly 2,000-year-old site from water damage. The inauguration came as Rome is preparing for an influx of tourists during the 2025 Roman Catholic Holy […]
Italy’s Pompeii to cap daily visitor numbers to 20,000
Rome, Italy Reuters The ancient Roman archaeological park of Pompeii in southern Italy said on Friday it would cap daily visitor numbers at 20,000 as a response to its surging popularity. The change, effective from 15th November, comes after a peak of more than 36,000 daily entrances on a free-admission Sunday, the park said in […]
Essay: St Augustine was no stranger to culture wars – and has something to say about today’s
In an article first published on The Conversation, MICHAEL LAMB, executive director of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University, reflects on lessons from St Augustine…
Historically Speaking: A city at the crossroads – how Gaza became one of the great intellectual hubs of the Roman Empire
CHRISTOPHER MALLAN, in an article first published on The Conversation, looks at the history of Gaza in ancient times…
St Valentine’s Italian birthplace seeks US suitors
Rome, Italy Thomson Reuters Foundation In an unusual call for love, the Italian birthplace of St Valentine said on Friday it was looking for a US suitor to become its “sister city”. The mayor of Terni in central Italy said he hoped to find a city in the United States committed to a “meaningful, longstanding […]