Romans

A copy of a Roman helmet in Rome, Italy.
A copy of a Roman helmet in Rome, Italy. (Image credit: ROMAOSLO via Getty Images)

The ancient city of Rome became the heart of a sprawling empire that lasted for hundreds of years, and we're still unearthing ship-loads of Roman artifacts, mystifying treasures and even forts around 2,000 years later.

Discover more

—The Roman Empire: Rulers, expansion and fall

—7 Roman inventions: Incredible feats of ancient technology

—Could you stomach the horrors of 'halftime' in Ancient Rome?

At Live Science, our expert writers and editors follow the work of historians and archeologists to bring you the most compelling discoveries and facts about the Romans. From their unusual superstitions to the rise and fall of the once-mighty empire, check out the latest news, features and articles about the Romans.    

Latest about Romans

An excavation site of ruins of a 1,700-year-old stone wall.

1,700-year-old Roman fort discovered in Germany was built to keep out barbarians

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

The wall was built by Romans to protect against Germanic tribal attack.

Romans
A miniature ax photographed on a black background

'Richly decorated' Roman villa with 'curse tablets' and tiny axes unearthed in England

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

The remains of the ornately decorated Roman buildings contain numerous artifacts, including "curse tablets," tiny axes and a horse-headed belt buckle.

Romans
A coin with an ancient Hebrew inscription.

1,900-year-old coins from Jewish revolt against the Romans discovered in the Judaen desert

By Owen Jarus published

Archaeologists in the Judaen desert have found four coins dating to the Jewish Bar Kokhba revolt against the Roman Empire.

Romans
Museum Wales

Items used by Roman cavalry and other treasures unearthed by metal detectorist in Wales

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

A collection of artifacts found on an island in Wales could be part of a religious offering.

Romans
A 2,000-year-old head depicting Mercury, the Roman god of fine arts.

'Incredibly rare' head of deity Mercury reveals previously unknown Roman settlement in UK

By Laura Geggel published

Archaeologists in England unearthed a 2,000-year-old clay head of a figurine depicting the Roman god Mercury.

Romans
A researcher examines the double burial tomb.

1,800-year-old Roman tombs in Bulgaria included medallion featuring an emperor and glass bottles for collecting mourners' tears

By Kristina Killgrove published

A farmer in Bulgaria accidentally discovered two graves of a wealthy Roman-era family, but they appear to tell "a sad family story."

Romans
An aerial view of a former Roman military base.

1,800-year-old 'Iron Legion' Roman base discovered near 'Armageddon' is largest in Israel

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

The Roman military base once housed more than 5,000 soldiers.

Romans
1,700-year-old spotted chicken egg.

Spectacularly preserved Roman-age egg still has its yolk and whites

By Tom Metcalfe published

The egg-citing object may be the oldest unintentionally preserved egg ever found.

Romans
A bone and pile of seeds

Romans kept poisonous, narcotic seeds concealed in bone vials, new discovery reveals

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

A hollowed-out animal bone was used by Romans to store a stash of poisonous seeds and is the first-ever evidence of the seeds' use during the Roman era.

Romans
A physically unrolled scroll with golden background and black text.

Scroll charred in Mount Vesuvius eruption partially deciphered, earning researchers $700,000 prize

By Laura Geggel published

Machine learning has helped decipher part of an ancient carbonized scroll found in a villa that likely once belonged to Julius Caesar’s father-in-law.

Romans
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