Ancient sources state that the Emperor Claudius as poisoned, although who administered the poison – and on whose orders – continues to be fiercely debated by scholars.
Beginning at around 1pm on 24 August, Mount Vesuvius sent gas, volcanic ash, and pumice into the stratosphere for up to 20 hours. This was followed by a pyroclastic flow that carried gas and molten rock down from the volcano and which then buried the previously fallen ash.
Three Praetorian Guards cornered Caligula in a cryptoporticus beneath his palace on the Palatine Hill and stabbed him to death.
The title Augustus is understood to translate as ‘the illustrious one’ and, although the title did not grant Octavian him political authority, many historians see this as the point at which his rule as first Roman Emperor began.
28th June 2015
11th November 2022
11th November 2022
9th November 2019
