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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 16h

✨Special Episode - Mark Antony with Alex Gough✨ We sit down with @alexgoughauthor.bsky.social to learn more about his historical fiction series on Mark Antony which explores Antony’s career and follows him all the way through to his demise.

Painting of Mark Antony giving the funeral oration over Caesar’s body. Text reads ‘Special Episode - Mark Antony with Alex Gough’

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Mask of Jupiter ~ thought to have been originally and architectural feature. Certainly he conveys a stern expression suggestive of a potential thunderous temper! The date for this artefact is listed as between C1st–C3rd CE. From the MAN Firenze; seen at the Melbourne Museum. #AncientRome #Jupiter

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

✨Cave Canem✨ We’re not saying this excellent doggo is particularly dangerous, but they are guarding the Casa di Paquius Proculus in Pompeii, so best be careful! Also this doggo comes with a labrys (double axe) and a shield and spear! #MosaicMonday #AncientRome

This mosaic comes from the Casa di Paquius Proculus in Pompeii. The mosaic depicts a black dog with a red collar chained to a pillar. Also depicted are what look like a labrys (double axe) and a shield and spear.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

✨Pan and Hermaphroditus ✨ Hermaphroditus embodied androgyny in the ancient world and is thought to offer protection in domestic settings. Here they appear with Pan (or a Satyr).

This fresco is delicately coloured with a range of blue tones in the background which are enhanced by the fact that Hermaphroditus wears a blue gown that is loosely draped over their left arm and lower body. Hermaphroditus is depicted as pale while Pan is depicted as deep brown with goat legs and horns.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

✨ Special Episode – A Day in the Life of a Roman Gladiator with Harry Sidebottom✨ Ever wondered what it would be like to walk in the calcei of a Roman gladiator? How did gladiators pass their days? Join us as we chat with Harry Sidebottom to find out more by discussing his book on Roman gladiators.

Book cover for ‘Those Who Are About to Die’ by Harry Sidebottom depicting a gladiator helmet surrounded by a wreath against a blue fresco-esque background.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Statue of a young satyr (or Eros) wearing a theatre mask of Silenus. This sculpture is thought to date to the C1st CE and depicts a young figure attempting to wear a theatre mask. The image would also go on to be used on a child’s sarcophagus (see previous post). #AncientRome #Silenus #Eros

Description from the Art Institute of Chicago: “A young satyr - a mythical creature, part human and part goat - thrusts his hand through the mouth of a theater mask of Silenus (an old satyr) in a gesture that is both mischievous and menacing. This work was likely originally paired with another statue of a child satyr, perhaps shown recoiling in fear at his companion’s actions. In 1628 sculptor Alessandro Algardi added the base, tree trunk, both ears, the left leg, and part of the right leg to this statue. Collectors of this period valued complete works of art and hired artists like Algardi to restore fragmentary ancient sculptures. Since they did not know precisely what the works looked like in antiquity, sculptors often restored works according to their patrons’ tastes. Art Institute Chicago: 4.2014”

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

This is a sarcophagus for a young child with a motif of erotes. This relief includes a striking image of one reaching their hand through a theatrical mask, which is other contexts has been interpreted as a young satyr playing at the role of Silenus (the old satyr).

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

This delightful mosaic once decorated the courtyard of the so-called House of the Drinking Contest, near the port of Antioch-on-the-Orontes. The mosaic is thought to date to C3rd CE and depicts erotes frolicking among Mediterranean marine life. #MosaicMonday #Dolphins

This mosaic depicts three erotes riding dolphins. The erotes cast their fishing lines into a sea filled with marine creatures, including a long, thin garfish; brightly colored wrasses; gray and red mullets; a shrimp; and a clam.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Gladiators: Warriors of the Ancient World is now out in Australia! You can catch all the episodes of the documentary over on Binge 🥳

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Missing his nose, but that distinctive hair style gives Augustus away. In this sculpture from the Museo Archeologico Nazionale Firenze visiting the Melbourne Museum, Augustus sports a laurel wreath as well! #Augustus #AncientRome

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

✨Rome: Empire, Power, People✨ We journeyed back in time today to soak up the details of this exhibition at the Melbourne Museum.

Dr Rad hangs out with C2nd CE Capitoline style Venus. The goddess of appears to have just emerged from her bath.

Dr G hangs out with C2nd CE Capitoline style Venus. The goddess of appears to have just emerged from her bath.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

This marble anemoscope was used to indicate the direction of the wind. The names of the winds and their personifications in the act of blowing (hot?) air are engraved on the disc. It's thought to date from the C5th CE and can be found today in the Parco Archeologica del Celio, Rome. #AncientRome

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

We don’t mean to scare anyone, but sometimes when we get into toga mode the knives come out. #AncientRome #Podcast #Toga

Dr Rad avoids a blade from Dr G while both wear bedsheets in an attempt to get into an ancient Roman state of mind.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

✨New to Patreon - Mark Antony with Alex Gough✨ We sit down with @alexgoughauthor.bsky.social to learn more about his historical fiction series on Mark Antony which explores Antony’s career and follows him all the way through to his demise.

Book cover for ‘Caesar’s Nemesis’ by Alex Gough which shows a Roman soldier looking over a naval battle with a flaming shield in the background.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The ‘Tellus’ panel from the Ara Pacis is one of the most striking pieces of relief work from the Augustan era. The central divine figure has a layered iconography that has led to a variety of theories as to her identity including Ceres and Roma.

The Tellus panel depicts a goddess (variously identified as Tellus, Roma, or Ceres amongst other theories) surrounded by the abundance of nature. She’s accompanied by two personified winds and she holds two infants (potentially the twins Romulus and Remus). Various animals and plant life make for a rich scene.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Do you feel like you’ve just been tossed unceremoniously into a chariot race? Welcome to the all new *empathetic* #MosaicMonday where your feelings about still having to engage in capitalism while tech billionaires ruin it for us all are validated by ancient mosaics. #AncientBluesky🏺

Image description from World History Encyclopaedia: Mosaic representing four charioteers from different parts of a Roman circus and their horses, Roman work (end of the 3rd century CE) from the villa located near the Baccano wood, and exhibited at the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme in Rome (Italy). Photo credit to Jean-Pol Grandmont.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Andromeda is trapped and chained as a sacrifice to the sea monster Cetus. Turns out that some parents are not only willing to anger the gods but to also then offer up their child to get back in the gods’ good graces… #AncientGreece #AncientBluesky🏺 #FrescoFriday

Description from The World History Encyclopaedia: “Fourth style fresco depicting Perseusfreeing Andromeda from her chains on the rock, from the House of the Dioscuri in Pompeii, National Archaeological Museum, Naples.
Andromeda, chained helplessly on the rock, a prey to pacify a sea monster sent by Poseidon to punish Cassiopeia, Andromeda's mother, who had boasted of her daughter's beauty. Perseus comes face to face with the beautiful Andromeda, immediately falls in love with her and rushes off to kill the sea monster. Photo credit: Carole Raddato.”

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Just a little tour of Livia’s garden fresco. #AncientBluesky🏺

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Our interview with @greekmythcomix.bsky.social about “You Are Odysseus” is out now wherever you enjoy excellent podcasts 🎙️ We get into the nitty-gritty, including the role of aidos and kudos when thinking about kleos (glory). #AncientGreece #Odysseus partialhistorians.com/2026/09/10/s...

Image: Odysseus and the Sirens by Edmund Dulac (1882–1953). It is an illustration of three sirens calling Odysseus on his way back from Troy. Superimposed below Odysseus’ ship is the title of Jenkinson-Brown’s book ‘You Are Odysseus’.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Let’s hope your weekend doesn’t all take a turn like this riot in the amphitheatre at Pompeii which led to the closure of the amphitheatre in 59 CE! There’s partying hard and then whatever brawl *this* turned into! #FrescoFriday #Pompeii

This fresco depicts fighters in the arena but also outside the arena. Fighting for displays seems to have turned into a a riot that broke out in 59 CE during games involving people from Pompeii and Nuceria. This riot led to the closure of the amphitheatre for ten years. The fresco was found in the house of Actius Anicetus in Pompeii. It is now held in the Naples National Archaeological Museum. Photo credit to Carole Raddato via The World History Encyclopedia.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

✨New Episode - You Are Odysseus with GreekMythComix✨ We chat with Laura Jenkinson-Brown about her amazing book ‘You Are Odysseus’ which shakes up Homer’s epic poem by placing the reader in the centre of the story and all its complexities.

Book cover for 'You Are Odysseus' with a boat, an eye, a siren, and other ancient motifs on a teal background.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

A glimpse of faces that see both ways. Ancient nods to Janus in the Palazzo Chigi, Aricca. #ReliefWednesday

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Hope your Monday hasn’t shocked the system like it seems to have for this guy! His Leafiness comes from a larger mosaic depicting a bear hunt from the C4th CE. He’s not involved, but is hanging about in the foliage border. #MosaicMonday #AncientRome

Description from the Getty: “Enough of the fragmentary floor survives to identify the subject as a bear hunt…The outermost border is a luxurious acanthus scroll. Heads emerge from elaborate leaf complexes in the corners, and smaller figures of erotes with armor, fruits and animals (both real and imaginary) are tucked into the scrolling acanthus along the edges.” Object Number: 72.AH.76.21

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

🌸Flora🌸 Sydney feels like it’s jumped straight from winter to summer these last few days, but really it’s Spring in the air. This fresco fragment is often identified as the goddess Flora and was found in the Villa of Ariadne in Stabiae. Now held in the MAN Napoli. #AncientRome #FrescoFriday

A female figure often identified as Flora, is seen from behind as she picks flowers while wandering in a lush green space. She is dressed in gowns of white and yellow, wears a golden diadem and carries a cornucopia. The fresco is from the Villa of Ariadne in Stabiae near Pompei, circa 15-45 CE. Photo credit to Levan Ramishvili via Wikimedia Commons.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

✨New Episode - Etruscan Evil Plans✨ What is Rome to do when they gaze out from the Capitol and all they can see are the neighbours they don’t like or the neighbours that don’t like them?

Image of modern Sutri (site of ancient Sutrium). Text reads: Episode 177 - Etruscan Evil Plans.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

✨The Two Princes✨ Gaius and Lucius or Britannicus and Nero? The figure on the left holds the orb of the world and a ship’s stern ornament indicative of his place at least as an imperial heir. #ReliefWednesday

Two youths stand naked, wearing cloaks. The left figure holds the orb of the world in one hand and in the other a ship's stern ornament (aphlaston). The details of what the figure to the right held is now unclear. This relief is part of the collection of the Aphrodisias Museum

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Enjoy this extremely fine parrot who looks like they might just know a secret or two. This mosaic is from Pergamon and dates to the mid-C2nd BCE. The parrot is known variously as the Alexandrine Parakeet or the Alexander Parrot in honour of Alexander the Great. #MosaicMonday #AncientBluesky🏺

This is a panel from a larger mosaic floor and depicts a parrot standing on a white block against a dark background.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

This #FrescoFriday is for lovers! Though we hope your romances have better success than Dido and Aeneas. This beautiful fresco is from the House of the Citharist in Pompeii.

Fresco shows Dido with her arms around Aeneas. Both are partially nude. Two other figures can be seen to the right. A woman sitting (Dido’s sister maybe?) and a man standing who may be an attendant. Fresco held in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (inv. 112282); fresco originally from the House of Citharist in Pompeii. Copyright of this image is held by Stefano Bolognini.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

When we tell you that most of our photos together are outtakes, you should believe us. FYI This is what real historians look like 🤣 #AncientRome #Podcast #LadyPodSquad

A series of photos of Dr Rad and Dr G looking very silly in faux ancient Roman tracksuits and holding replica swords and a miniature gladiator helmet.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Just some amazing interviews to share! Out now on early release over on our Patreon is our interview with Laura Jenkinson-Brown about her amazing book 'You Are Odysseus'.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Here’s the Corinthian hero Bellerophon riding Pegasus while slaying the Chimera. The Chimera was a monstrous fire-breathing creature from Lycia. It was often depicted as a lion with a goat's head protruding from its back and a tail ending with a snake's head. #MosaicMonday #AncientBluesky🏺

Description from Wikipedia: “The Bellerophon Mosaic is a 2nd century AD ancient Roman mosaic, discovered at Autun in 1830 and now in the musée Rolin. It shows Bellerophon mounted on Pegasus killing the Chimera.”

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Just a herm to celebrate #PhallusThursday. If you look closely, this herm appears to be flanked by portraits of… you guessed it, more herms!

This Attic vase depicts a herm in a scene with what might be a basin and pictures hanging on the wall of more herms. It is thought to date to c. 480 BCE. Source: Bibliothèque Nationale de France, département des Monnaies, médailles et antiques.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Overwhelming from every angle. Standing in the shadow of the Colosseum is a reminder of very gladiatorial combat, every animal hunt, and the way that for many generations the centre of Roman power could feel condensed in this very place. #AncientRome #Colosseum #AncientBluesky🏺

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Throwback to the book launch of our debut book: ‘Rex: The Seven Kings of Rome’. We never imagined that when we started a podcast that one day that would lead us to the chance to also write about ancient Rome! #AncientRome #Podcast #AncientBluesky🏺

Dr Rad in blue and Dr G in pink sharing the stage to talk about their book: ‘Rex: The Seven Kings of Rome’.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

In the Roman republic, Vedius Pollio gained a reputation for treating his slaves badly by feeding them to eels, but it turns out that Vedius’ dad had been a slave which might explain how terribly he was trying to escape his familial history… #MosaicMonday #AncientBluesky🏺

Detail of an ancient Roman mosaic showing an eel. From a marine life mosaic held by the MAN Napoli.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Dido with attendants and a goddess personifying Africa (suggested by the elephant headdress). In the distance there is a ship which suggests this scene depicts the moment Dido realises that Aeneas had unceremoniously dumped her to continue his quest to found Rome. #AncientRome #AncientBluesky🏺

Detail from a fresco found in the House of Meleager (Pompeii VI.9.2) now held in the MAN Napoli, inv. 8898. First image shows Dido seated with two attendants. One holds a parasol over Dido’s head while the other holds what seems to be a piece of ivory. The second image shows a goddess who seems to be wearing an elephant head as part of her headdress suggesting she’s a representation of Africa.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

✨Interview with Dr Emma Southon✨ We sat down with Dr Emma Southon to learn more about slavery in the ancient Roman world. It was more complex and more horrifying than you may imagine.

Book cover for ‘Servus: How Slavery Made the Roman Empire’ with a fresco image of a young woman wearing a wreath and carrying a platter against a red background.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

💜The embracing emperors💜 Diocletian and Maximian are shown in unified leadership of the Roman empire this #ReliefWednesday. Both have stepped down from their chariots to greet each. #AncientBluesky🏺

Details from Mark B. Abbe, Tuna Şare Ağtürk 2019. “The new corpus of painted Imperial Roman marble reliefs from Nicomedia: a preliminary report on polychromy” Techne 48: “Having both descended from their flanking purple chariots, for all of their similitudo,they are clearly and emphatically differentiated, not only in their standing height and the height of their flying Nikai, but also, conspicuously, in their hair color: the taller, elder greeting emperor at left (Diocletian) has a light gray brown color, while the emperor at right (Maximian) has a remarkably different red hue.”

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

It’s time to mosey on into a new #MosaicMonday with some fantastic marine life. In this amazing scene, fish and their sea fellows occupy the water and the sky! #AncientBluesky🏺

A mosaic depicting a range of marine fauna. The square scene is surrounded by a highly decorative mosaic border with scrollwork and flowers. Held by the Museo Nazionale di Napoli.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Captured for eternity: the moment you realise that sound you just heard didn’t come from the lyre… May your weekend contain no such moments! #FrescoFriday #AncientBluesky🏺

Roman fresco with two figures next to each other. The one to the left has a theatre mask pushed up and resting on their head and looks towards the viewer. The figure to the right holds a lyre and appears to be looking at the figure to the left with an expression of ‘what just happened?’ Fresco from Pompeii and now held by the MAN Napoli.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

✨New Episode - Throwing the Standard✨ Would it even be Rome if someone didn’t throw a standard into the enemies at some point? Step up to the plate, Camillus, because it’s time to rouse the Romans against the Volscians!

Image of various types of Roman military standards. Text reads: Episode 176 - Throwing the Standard.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

When we talk about long inscriptions, the Res Gestae Divi Augusti is up there! This modern version of Augustus' late-in-life retrospective offers HIS interpretation of his life and rule… #ReliefWednesday #AncientRome #Augustus

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Podcasting is amazing as it brings together people with amazing shared interests. Dr Rad and I were fortunate to be interviewed by Tristan for The Ancients podcast many years ago, and yesterday we got to meet in person!

From left: Tristan Hughes, Dr Rad, Dr G, Professor Alastair Blanchard outside the City Recital Hall, Sydney.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Let yourself float on the gentle tides of the Mediterranean (even if only in your imagination in this moment). Feel the calm waters and the little fish brush past your fingertips. Wave to the passing squid with the long and short tentacles. #MosaicMonday #AncientBluesky🏺

This mosaic fragment is made up of a white background and blue hues have been used to depict fish, a squid, and other marine life. It is striking in the simplicity of colours. From the Roman house in Ariminum (Rimini). Mosaic on display at the Museo della città di Rimini.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

The bust appears to be quite modern, but the hairstyle is very much in keeping with the Flavian style. Higher and higher the hair rises! #AncientRome #Flavian #AncientBluesky🏺

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

✨Brand New Episode - Fatal Second Helen with Josh Cannon✨ In this interview we’re joined by Josh Cannon who holds a PhD in near eastern languages and civilizations from the University of Chicago.

Illustration of Ajax defending the Greek ships against the Trojans. Text reads: ‘Special Episode - Fatal Second Helen with Josh Cannon’.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

In the Res Gestae, Augustus claimed to have had great auctoritas (influence) but not more potestas (power) than anyone else. A fine distinction to us but perhaps more readily understood by a Roman of the day! #ReliefWednesday #AncientBluesky🏺

Picture from wikipedia is “A view of the remnants of the Temple of Augustus in Ankara, Turkey (Monumentum Ancyranum). Photo taken by AtilimGunesBaydin on November 28, 2004.” This version of the inscription was in Greek. Fragments elsewhere are in Latin.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Feel the seasons upon you with this mosaic fragment from the Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia. If you can make it there, it’s well worth the visit with ancient artefacts scattered throughout the Baroque collection. #AncientRome #MosaicMonday #AncientBluesky🏺

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

To say it was an odyssey would be fair! When Roman historians go to see ancient Greece on film, we have opinions for sure.

Dr Rad (left) and Dr G (right) standing in front of some fearsome Laestrygonians while wearing ‘Odyssey Boat Tour’ T-shirts.

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The Partial Historians 🏺 @partialhistorians.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

✨Fulvia with Kaarina Parker✨ The late republic of Rome is a tumultuous time and it opens up the possibility for elite women to be part of Rome’s political project in more overt ways than previously recorded in the ancient evidence.

Bookcover for ‘Fulvia’ by Kaarina Parker with a red background and the silhouette of a classical female figure surrounded by columns and laurel leaves.

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