Roman news, features and articles

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.
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.
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Latest about Romans

8 ancient Roman shoes of 'exceptional size' discovered at Roman fort near Hadrian's Wall
By Kristina Killgrove published
Eight XXL leather shoes have been recovered from Magna, a Roman-era fort along Hadrian's Wall.

'Puzzling' bronze discs adorned with lion heads discovered in Roman-era grave
By Aristos Georgiou published
The bronze artifacts may have served as coffin handles for a burial in what is now Israel, but the true nature of the find remains unclear.

Roman army camp found in Netherlands, beyond the empire's frontier
By Laura Geggel published
Archaeologists and students in the Netherlands have unearthed a 1,800-year-old temporary Roman military fort in the Netherlands.

'World's most difficult jigsaw puzzle': Archaeologists piece together thousands of shattered fresco blocks from ancient Roman villa
By Perri Thaler published
Archaeologists found thousands of pieces of an ancient Roman painting, which features intricate designs and ancient graffiti.

One Roman soldier had enormous feet, 2,000-year-old waterlogged leather shoe reveals
By Kristina Killgrove published
A surprisingly large leather shoe has been found at Magna, a Roman fort in northern England.

Roman-era 'fast food' discovered in ancient trash heap on Mallorca
By Kristina Killgrove published
Songbird bones found in a Roman-era trash pit on Mallorca suggests they were a tasty tweet.

'Extraordinary' sarcophagus discovered in Israel shows carving of Dionysus beating Hercules in a drinking contest
By Skyler Ware published
Archaeologists in Israel have unearthed a Roman-era sarcophagus that depicts Dionysus beating Hercules in a drinking contest.

Prosciutto di Portici: A portable sundial that looks like a pork leg — and it was likely owned by Julius Caesar's father-in-law before Mount Vesuvius erupted
By Kristina Killgrove published
This small bronze sundial was a portable way of telling time, but it may have made you hungry.
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