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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️

@benpaites.bsky.social
3.8K followers 531 following 1.3K posts

Senior Curator at Colchester Museums. Mainly Roman archaeology and LGBTQ+ history. Also cat dad to Artemis and enthusiastic Gaymer. He/Him Author of 50 LGBTQ+ Finds: www.amberley-books.com/50-lgbtq-fin… Website: www.benpaites.uk

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Reposted by 🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️
🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I’ve been doing something very exciting over the past 24 hours. Can’t say much just yet, but for something relevant, take a listen to part 1 of this wonderful @ancienthistory101.org episode released last week. www.ancienthistory101.org/p/boudica-an...
ancienthistory101.org
Boudica - An Ancient History 101 Special Event (Part 1: The Prelude to Destruction) - Ancient History 101
with Lexi Diggins, Ben Paites and Kate Sumnall
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I’ve been doing something very exciting over the past 24 hours. Can’t say much just yet, but for something relevant, take a listen to part 1 of this wonderful @ancienthistory101.org episode released last week. www.ancienthistory101.org/p/boudica-an...
ancienthistory101.org
Boudica - An Ancient History 101 Special Event (Part 1: The Prelude to Destruction) - Ancient History 101
with Lexi Diggins, Ben Paites and Kate Sumnall
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I’m half way through my (slightly early) annual rewatch of “Agatha All Along” and honestly I don’t think I’d ever get bored of this series. Spectacular!
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It was such a joy being part of this, despite us discussing an incredibly dark period of history. Everyone had great personal insights into the story of Boudica and similar experiences telling her story.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Forget Romans and a dinosaur, visit @colmuseums.bsky.social for our pocket potato! (I’m surprised the lobster people haven’t made an appearance yet).
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It was such a joy being part of this, despite us discussing an incredibly dark period of history. Everyone had great personal insights into the story of Boudica and similar experiences telling her story.
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Ancient History 101 Podcast @ancienthistory101.org · 23/09/2026
Featuring Ben Paites, Senior Curator at @colmuseums.bsky.social, Kate Sumnall, Curator of Archaeology at @londonmuseum.bsky.social and Lexi Diggins, archaeologist and guest curator at @stalbansmuseums.bsky.social... Ancient History 101 presents: BOUDICA Part 1: Prelude to Destruction
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Had a wonderful weekend away in Staffordshire with some friends. Despite coming back with a stinking cold, it was the rest and escape I needed. It’s important to have friends that help you heal ❤️
A field with a single tree and lots of sheep with blue skies above.Lichfield cathedral. A tall gothic dark building with two pointed spires at the front and a shorter one further off in the middle. The front is covered with figures of saints and kings and a large window in the centre.An archway on top of a hill with cloudy skies behind. Trees are behind and two people walk up the hill.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Let’s put it to the test: Comment “arrow” if you think he took an arrow to the eye. Comment “spear” if you think the guy in the embroidery was holding a spear (and Harold is being cut down by the cavalryman with a sword). Other suggestions welcome… #BayeuxTapestry #BattleOfHastings
A scene from the Bayeux Tapestry with a man on the left seemingly pulling an arrow out of his eye. A man in a horse in the centre who is attacking a man who is falling down. The words “Harold Rex interfectus est” are above, meaning King Harold is killed.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Let’s put it to the test: Comment “arrow” if you think he took an arrow to the eye. Comment “spear” if you think the guy in the embroidery was holding a spear (and Harold is being cut down by the cavalryman with a sword). Other suggestions welcome… #BayeuxTapestry #BattleOfHastings
A scene from the Bayeux Tapestry with a man on the left seemingly pulling an arrow out of his eye. A man in a horse in the centre who is attacking a man who is falling down. The words “Harold Rex interfectus est” are above, meaning King Harold is killed.
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Ancient History 101 Podcast @ancienthistory101.org · 16/09/2026
This week we have one of our significant ancient events episodes! @belovedofoizys.bsky.social chats about the conflicting and astounding accounts of what happened to the body of Marcus Licinius Crassus after he was killed...
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I feel like Harold getting an arrow to the eye is going to be our generations Boudica/Boadicea.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Early start today to get to the @remade-uor.bsky.social conference in Reading. It’s going to be an exciting day of innovative research into Roman (and early medieval, I guess…) metallurgy!
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I was incredibly lucky to be one of the first to see the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at @britishmuseum.bsky.social last Saturday. The importance it has for the history of England is astounding! Plus the events of the Norman Conquest of course led to the construction of my workplace.
A view of the Bayeux tapestry in a glass case from
Above. The text “in the year of grace 1066 the Lord the ruler carried out what he had long contemplated for the English. He delivered them for destruction to the violent and cunning Norman’s” With the name Henry of Huntingdon belowThe start of the Bayeux tapestry, showing king Edward on a throne. Beyond is a black wall with white projected illustrations of words as well as animated scenes from the tapestry.White text on a black wall saying “…and they built castles widely throughout this nation and oppressed the wretched people and afterwards it always grew very much worse.”A photo of Colchester castle. White stone mixed with red brick. A rounded end to the right of the building and square towers along the front. A blue sky with white clouds is above and green grass in front.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Zelda Direct tomorrow followed by Nintendo direct the day after! Where’s Pokémon Presents?! It’s the 30th anniversary and we’ve had one! We need more news!
static.klipy.com
Angry Link from Zelda
Alt: Link, an elf with blond hair and green tunic, looks grumpy and shrugs his shoulders.
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Polis Loizou 🐺🎃 @polisloizou.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Pictured: goblin with dark little tales of καλικάντζαροι* to tell in Nottingham this Christmas. Stay tuned. *Greek Yuletide goblins
A stubbly 40-something guy with a shaved head smiling at something off camera
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Guess who was responsible for this 😂
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Colchester Museums @colmuseums.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
How accurately do our devices depict an ancient amphora? Our curator Ben Paites has inspected every version, and the results range from “solid Greek amphora” to “What in the Minecraft?!” Swipe for expert analysis, questionable handles and one surprisingly respectable 9/10. 🏺🧵
Blue graphic showing nine amphora emojis from different platforms arranged in a grid around the title: "Roman ceramic curator rates every amphora emoji". The emojis are labelled Facebook, JoyPixels, Skype, Twitter/X, Serenity OS, Google, Samsung, Microsoft and WhatsApp.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
😶
White text on a black wall reading “the Bayeux tapestry”. A light shines on the text.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Why is Colchester station so busy at 8am on a Saturday morning?!
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Not your classic Greek Myth game. I’ve been playing Resonance: A Plague Tale non stop the past few days. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it so far. The storytelling, the graphics, the gameplay… strong contender for game of the year! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A screenshot of a video game. Afemale character is stood in front of an ancient mural showing a bull-headed giant with tentacles destroying a city. The woman has dark frizzy hair, tied back with a red band. She wears a vest and dark trousers with fabric hanging off her. She has red henna style tattoos on her hands.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Ok so why did I only JUST realise that the lead character in the pokemon series (until recently) Ash, has the surname “Ketchum” because he wants to “Ketchum all” 🤯
static.klipy.com
Ash Ketchum's Shocked Reaction
Alt: Ash Ketchum, a boy with a red and white baseball cap and short black hair, has a shocked reaction with the word WHATTTT below
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Ancient History 101 Podcast @ancienthistory101.org · 29/08/2026
Did you expect Clytemnestra to be repentant after she murdered her husband? No chance! Listen to our full episode on Aeschylus' Agamemnon with Shelby Judge (@shelbyjudge.bsky.social) out now!
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Yes it’s Saturday night, I’m drinking wine, playing video games and thinking of Pokémon etymology…
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Ok so why did I only JUST realise that the lead character in the pokemon series (until recently) Ash, has the surname “Ketchum” because he wants to “Ketchum all” 🤯
static.klipy.com
Ash Ketchum's Shocked Reaction
Alt: Ash Ketchum, a boy with a red and white baseball cap and short black hair, has a shocked reaction with the word WHATTTT below
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Magenta Toisarus (Toys R Us)
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Not archaeological, but whilst moving archaeological archive boxes around today, we found a stamp from the Republic of Portugal! No idea how that ended up inside a Roman pot. #FindsFriday
A purple stamp showing a woman in long flowing robes. Above is Republica Portuguesa and below is correio. 40 is to the left of the woman’s head and c is to the right.
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Ancient History 101 Podcast @ancienthistory101.org · 26/08/2026
New episode alert!! Odysseus wasn't the only Greek who got a less than perfect homecoming after sailing back from Troy! @shelbyjudge.bsky.social talks us through Agamemnon's less than warm welcome home in Aeschylus' play...
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Rummaging through the museum photo collection and…. 😋
A black and white photo showing a series of men at a bar in smart shirt and tie outfits, not all fully wearing auits. They all have short hair and are clean shaven. All are holding glasses of drink, unknown as the image is black and white.

A logo of a flaming torch is behind with the words “comrades combat” over it on a ribbon design. 

The man in the centre is sticking his tongue out, as if licking his lips, and staring at the camera.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Rummaging through the museum photo collection and…. 😋
A black and white photo showing a series of men at a bar in smart shirt and tie outfits, not all fully wearing auits. They all have short hair and are clean shaven. All are holding glasses of drink, unknown as the image is black and white.

A logo of a flaming torch is behind with the words “comrades combat” over it on a ribbon design. 

The man in the centre is sticking his tongue out, as if licking his lips, and staring at the camera.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Went exploring some local heritage today. The fascinating St Mary’s Church at Stratford St Mary, in Suffolk, is decorated in art from across its rich history. The building itself dates to as early as the 1200s, including a Victorian mural and wooden ceiling, with some surviving medieval features.
A Victorian mural above two large yellow stone arches, the lower halves covered by wooden screens. Scenes from the bible are in the mural. A curved wooden ceiling is above. An alcove with an ornately decorated surround. Inside is a painted cross with a lamb of god, also known as agnus dei, design. Showing a lamb holding a flag. A series of gold leaves with red background fill the space behind.A wooden ceiling with carved angels at the sections where cross beams join, forming a line down the centre. Snowflake or star shaped designs are at the other intersections.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
I’m hoping to do more video content in the future, just for something different. After doing some research into cursive Latin, I managed to understand it better. The insight a single inscription gives to a household 2000 years ago. #Romans #Archaeology #History #Latin
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
This little lady is 18 years old today! She has kept me company for roughly a third of her life. She will be spoiled rotten today! 🐈‍⬛🎁🎊🎈🥳🐟🐠
A black cat laying on an orangey brown sofa with an orange blanket on top. Some cushions are behind her and she’s sleeping curled up.A black cat with yellow eyes staying just above the camera. Close up of her face with orange blanket and sofa behind.
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🌈 Dr Ross Brooks @rossbrooks.co.uk · 19/08/2026
QUEER ORIGINS is starting to arrive in UK bookshops! It's all round to The Book and Bottle in Hertford, where they've made it look very yummy indeed . . . 🌈📚🍷 linktr.ee/thebookandbo... #books #booksky #bookshop #newreads #readingcommunity @yalebooks.bsky.social @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social
Screenshot of recent Instagram post by The Book and Bottle bookshop (Hertford). It features a photo of DARWIN AND THE QUEER ORIGINS OF LIFE with a bottle of red wine with and floral design on the label. The original post reads 'NEWBIES to the shelves!!'
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Series 5 episode 10 of Will and Grace. On honeymoon, Grace describes going to “Paris, Italy” where you can go “scuba diving” to look at “rock art” made by the “indigenous peoples”. How did I miss that clusterf*ck on first watch?!
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Nick Coveney @nmjcoveney.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
We need to show rightwing newspapers that actions have consequences. Add your name: goodlawproject.org/s/abb8a1
goodlawproject.org
Jason Arday: Demand a public inquiry now | Good Law Project
Commission an immediate public inquiry into how to ensure a responsible press given its contribution to Dr Arday’s tragic death.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Listen to my dulcet tones as I try and imitate Philomena Cunk…
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Colchester Museums @colmuseums.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Two days ago, millions of us looked up at the same sky. We weren't the first. For thousands of years, solar eclipses have stopped people in their tracks. Watch the video to discover how eclipses have shaped human history and why these fleeting moments leave such a lasting mark on us.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
And again?!?! 5 minutes apart 😬
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Government alert nearly just gave me a heart attack! 🫨
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GuyD @thenotoriousguy.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
The only really meaningful statistic to come out of the Clacton by-election
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Tried photographing the eclipse. Ended up recording the start of the apocalypse.
A blurry and dark photo of a solar eclipse. Shadows are visible in the distance and a circle of orange light is around a crescent sun.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Many people don’t like scaffolding and Heras Fencing as it “obstructs the lovely old buildings”. They forget these buildings have been here for centuries and all of this “obstruction” means the building can stand for centuries more. The castle roof works will be finished soon.
Colchester castle from the north west corner. There is fencing around the site and scaffolding on top. A small vehicle with a platform on the end of an extension arm is behind the fencing. The walls of the castle are a mix of red tile and yellow and brown stone. There is a clear blue sky with the sun peaking behind it. Teees and burnt grass are to the left.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
It’s #ModiusMonday - it’s a thing, I swear! This amphora, found in Colchester, has an inscription on the side that says it contained 3 modii (just over 26 litres) of wine. Either a month’s worth of vino or a VERY good party.
A cream coloured amphora, a tall ceramic vessel with long handles on either side of a narrow neck. An inscription in cursive is written on the side.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
It’s #InternationalCatDay, and here’s one of my favourite pics of Artemis. Taken (unfortunately) mid yawn.
A black cat with yellow eyes, about to yawn. Her eyebrows are furrowed and her pink tongue is sticking out. She is lying down with front paws forward and tail tucked around to her left side.
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Ancient History 101 Podcast @ancienthistory101.org · 07/08/2026
If you were a gladiator, what would your stage name be? If you were Greek, you had a long list of perfect names to choose from... shows.acast.com/ancient-hist...
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Advice for when in Pompeii… “Cave canem, sed mulce felem!” (Beware of the dog, but stroke the cat)
A mosaic showing a black and white dog chained up with the words Cave Canem below, which means beware of the dog.A fluffy brown and black cat laying on a stone counter with a stone wall behind. A blue sky is in the background and a rope barrier is in front.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
No cheating, post your lock screen.
A lock screen showing the time and date at the top. Tue 4 Aug 19:55. A Roman style wall painting showing a woman holding a stylus and a book with billowing green cloak and skin coloured skirt. She is wearing a crown made of leaves and berries. The background is an orange red.
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Here’s my review of the Tom Hiddleston Pompeii series. Keeping in mind this is aimed at amateurs, I thought it had a wonderful blend of (fairly authentic) dramatisation, a varied range of specialists and Tom himself makes the story that much more endearing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ www.benpaites.uk/blog-4-1/pom...
benpaites.uk
Pompeii: Out of Time - Review — Ben Paites
There have been many attempts over the years to get celebrities to try and engage the general public in the Ancient World. Rarely, if ever, does that celebrity have any sort of prior experience or kno...
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️ @benpaites.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Here’s my review of the Tom Hiddleston Pompeii series. Keeping in mind this is aimed at amateurs, I thought it had a wonderful blend of (fairly authentic) dramatisation, a varied range of specialists and Tom himself makes the story that much more endearing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ www.benpaites.uk/blog-4-1/pom...
benpaites.uk
Pompeii: Out of Time - Review — Ben Paites
There have been many attempts over the years to get celebrities to try and engage the general public in the Ancient World. Rarely, if ever, does that celebrity have any sort of prior experience or kno...
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