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Dr Crom
@doccrom.bsky.social
5.4K followers 620 following 4.2K posts
Classicist, archaeologist, sci-fi and horror nerd and, most importantly, ginger. Oh, and... "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn". #EdgyPedlar #AncientStuff
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Dr Crom @doccrom.bsky.social · Oct 17
AncientBluesky 🏺- A favourite! The eponymous piece from the Tomb of the Blue Vase, Pompeii (HGE08). A stunning cameo glass amphora, with grape-harvesting Cupids: ca. 1st Century AD. #Pompeii #Archaeology

Image: National Archaeological Museum, Naples (13521). Link - mann-napoli.it/gli-oggetti-...
Reposted by Dr Crom
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#OnThisDay - 25 January - in AD 41, after the Senate "were reduced to incompetence" (Josephus, JA 19.254), Claudius was confirmed as emperor of Rome, placed in the position by the Praetorians. #AncientHistory 🏺

Image: RIC Claudius 7; British Museum (R.6481). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
January 25, 2026 at 3:52 PM
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#OnThisDay - 25 January - in AD 41, after the Senate "were reduced to incompetence" (Josephus, JA 19.254), Claudius was confirmed as emperor of Rome, placed in the position by the Praetorians. #AncientHistory 🏺

Image: RIC Claudius 7; British Museum (R.6481). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
January 25, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Reposted by Dr Crom
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#OnThisDay - 24 January - in AD 41 the third Roman Emperor Gaius, better known by his nickname Caligula, was assassinated by a conspiracy headed by the military tribune Cassius Chaerea. #AncientHistory 🏺

Image: RIC 1 Gaius 1; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 5199). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Obverse of a Roman aureus: Head of Caligula, bare, right. Reverse of a Roman aureus: Head of Augustus, radiate, right; in field, left and right, a star.
January 24, 2026 at 8:40 AM
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#OnThisDay - 24 January - in AD 76 Publius Aelius Hadrianus was born. Nominated as his successor by Trajan on his deathbed, Hadrian would reign as Roman Emperor AD 117-138. #AncientHistory 🏺

Image: RIC 2.3 Hadrian 7; BnF (IMP-2). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Obverse of a Roman aureus: Bust of Hadrian, laureate, cuirassed, right, viewed from front. Reverse of a Roman aureus: Trajan standing right, Hadrian standing left, both clasping hands.
January 24, 2026 at 8:39 AM
doccrom.bsky.social
#OnThisDay - 24 January - in AD 41 the third Roman Emperor Gaius, better known by his nickname Caligula, was assassinated by a conspiracy headed by the military tribune Cassius Chaerea. #AncientHistory 🏺

Image: RIC 1 Gaius 1; Münzkabinett Wien (RÖ 5199). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Obverse of a Roman aureus: Head of Caligula, bare, right. Reverse of a Roman aureus: Head of Augustus, radiate, right; in field, left and right, a star.
January 24, 2026 at 8:40 AM
doccrom.bsky.social
#OnThisDay - 24 January - in AD 76 Publius Aelius Hadrianus was born. Nominated as his successor by Trajan on his deathbed, Hadrian would reign as Roman Emperor AD 117-138. #AncientHistory 🏺

Image: RIC 2.3 Hadrian 7; BnF (IMP-2). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Obverse of a Roman aureus: Bust of Hadrian, laureate, cuirassed, right, viewed from front. Reverse of a Roman aureus: Trajan standing right, Hadrian standing left, both clasping hands.
January 24, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Reposted by Dr Crom
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#FrescoFriday - A real favourite! The paintings from the Fullonica of Veranius Hypsaeus, Pompeii (VI.8.20), showing the stages of the laundry process, with an owl (symbol for the Fullers) atop the 'viminea cavea'. #Pompeii #Archaeology 🏺

Image: MANN (9774). Link - mann-napoli.it/numismatica/...
January 23, 2026 at 11:02 AM
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#OnThisDay - 23 January - in AD 393, aged 8, Honorius was proclaimed co-emperor by his father Theodosius I. He ruled until AD 423, though in AD 410 the Visigoths would sack Rome. #AncientHistory 🏺

Image: RIC X Honorius 1319; Münzkabinett Berlin (18213243). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Obverse of a Roman solidus: Bust of Honorius, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, right. Reverse of a Roman solidus: Honorius, draped, cuirassed, standing right, leaning slightly backwards, holding standard in right hand and Victory on globe in left hand; spurning seated bound captive with left foot.
January 23, 2026 at 10:54 AM
doccrom.bsky.social
#FrescoFriday - A real favourite! The paintings from the Fullonica of Veranius Hypsaeus, Pompeii (VI.8.20), showing the stages of the laundry process, with an owl (symbol for the Fullers) atop the 'viminea cavea'. #Pompeii #Archaeology 🏺

Image: MANN (9774). Link - mann-napoli.it/numismatica/...
January 23, 2026 at 11:02 AM
doccrom.bsky.social
#OnThisDay - 23 January - in AD 393, aged 8, Honorius was proclaimed co-emperor by his father Theodosius I. He ruled until AD 423, though in AD 410 the Visigoths would sack Rome. #AncientHistory 🏺

Image: RIC X Honorius 1319; Münzkabinett Berlin (18213243). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Obverse of a Roman solidus: Bust of Honorius, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, right. Reverse of a Roman solidus: Honorius, draped, cuirassed, standing right, leaning slightly backwards, holding standard in right hand and Victory on globe in left hand; spurning seated bound captive with left foot.
January 23, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Reposted by Dr Crom
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#MosaicMonday - The stunning portrait of Helen as she departs from Sparta to Troy with Paris, whose hand holds her wrist. From the triclinium mosaics of the Roman Villa at Noheda: ca. 4th Century AD. #Archaeology 🏺

Image: Villa Romana de Noheda. Link - cultura.castillalamancha.es/patrimonio/y...
January 19, 2026 at 9:20 AM
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#OnThisDay - 19 January - in AD 379 Theodosius was elevated to the rank of 'Augustus' with the approval of Gratian, taking responsibility for the Eastern Empire. #AncientHistory 🏺

Image: RIC IX Constantinople 71A; Münzkabinett Berlin (18268558). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Obverse of a Roman solidus: Bust of Theodosius I, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed, right. Reverse of a Roman solidus: Constantinopolis, helmeted, head right, seated facing, on throne ornamented with lions' heads, holding sceptre and shield inscribed VOT/X/MVLT/XV, right foot on prow.
January 19, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Reposted by Dr Crom
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#OnThisDay - 19 January - in 30 BC the Caesarion Stela was written. The inscription details a contract agreement between linen manufacturers and a guild of embalmers, concerning the cult of the Apis Bull. #Egypt #History 🏺

Image: British Museum (EA1325). Link - britishmuseum.org/collection/o...
Round-topped sandstone stela with a decorative frieze showing Caesarion offering to deities.
January 19, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Reposted by Dr Crom
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#OnThisDay - 19 January - in AD 103 Reburrus, a Spanish decurion in the 1st Pannonian cavalry regiment, received his military diploma granting him Roman citizenship: from Malpas in Cheshire, UK. #AncientHistory 🏺

Image: British Museum (1813,1211.2). Link - britishmuseum.org/collection/o...
(From the BM) "Copper alloy military discharge diploma, issued by the emperor Trajan to Reburrus, a Spanish decurion (junior officer) in the 1st Pannonian cavalry regiment, granting him Roman citizenship and the right of legal marriage with a present or future wife."
January 19, 2026 at 9:02 AM
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Wasn't overly impressed by many of today's cryptic crossword offerings, but it is only Monday I guess.

Two that made me smile:

"Little noise accompanies good gardener’s task" (7)

and

"The last word in service" (4)
January 19, 2026 at 8:51 PM
doccrom.bsky.social
#MosaicMonday - The stunning portrait of Helen as she departs from Sparta to Troy with Paris, whose hand holds her wrist. From the triclinium mosaics of the Roman Villa at Noheda: ca. 4th Century AD. #Archaeology 🏺

Image: Villa Romana de Noheda. Link - cultura.castillalamancha.es/patrimonio/y...
January 19, 2026 at 9:20 AM
doccrom.bsky.social
#OnThisDay - 19 January - in AD 379 Theodosius was elevated to the rank of 'Augustus' with the approval of Gratian, taking responsibility for the Eastern Empire. #AncientHistory 🏺

Image: RIC IX Constantinople 71A; Münzkabinett Berlin (18268558). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Obverse of a Roman solidus: Bust of Theodosius I, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed, right. Reverse of a Roman solidus: Constantinopolis, helmeted, head right, seated facing, on throne ornamented with lions' heads, holding sceptre and shield inscribed VOT/X/MVLT/XV, right foot on prow.
January 19, 2026 at 9:06 AM
doccrom.bsky.social
#OnThisDay - 19 January - in 30 BC the Caesarion Stela was written. The inscription details a contract agreement between linen manufacturers and a guild of embalmers, concerning the cult of the Apis Bull. #Egypt #History 🏺

Image: British Museum (EA1325). Link - britishmuseum.org/collection/o...
Round-topped sandstone stela with a decorative frieze showing Caesarion offering to deities.
January 19, 2026 at 9:05 AM
doccrom.bsky.social
#OnThisDay - 19 January - in AD 103 Reburrus, a Spanish decurion in the 1st Pannonian cavalry regiment, received his military diploma granting him Roman citizenship: from Malpas in Cheshire, UK. #AncientHistory 🏺

Image: British Museum (1813,1211.2). Link - britishmuseum.org/collection/o...
(From the BM) "Copper alloy military discharge diploma, issued by the emperor Trajan to Reburrus, a Spanish decurion (junior officer) in the 1st Pannonian cavalry regiment, granting him Roman citizenship and the right of legal marriage with a present or future wife."
January 19, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Reposted by Dr Crom
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#OnThisDay - 17 January - in 38 BC Livia Drusilla embarked on her second marriage to Octavian, when she was six months pregnant with Nero Drusus. Their marriage would influence a century of Roman politics. #History 🏺

Image: RIC Claudius 101; ANS 1978.27.5. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
January 17, 2026 at 10:42 AM
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#OnThisDay - 17 January - in AD 395 Emperor Theodosius I died at Mediolanum (modern Milan). His reign was marked by periodic civil war and his promotion of Christianity as the empire's religion. #History 🏺

Image: RIC IX Mediolanum 35A; PAS (PUBLIC-EA5CD7). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
January 17, 2026 at 10:43 AM
doccrom.bsky.social
#OnThisDay - 17 January - in 38 BC Livia Drusilla embarked on her second marriage to Octavian, when she was six months pregnant with Nero Drusus. Their marriage would influence a century of Roman politics. #History 🏺

Image: RIC Claudius 101; ANS 1978.27.5. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
January 17, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Reposted by Dr Crom
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ClassicsBluesky 🏺🧵

#LatinForTheDay - 16 January #Catullus

“salve, nec minimo puella naso
nec bello pede nec nigris ocellis
nec longis digitis nec ore sicco
nec sane nimis elegante lingua,
decoctoris amica Formiani....
January 16, 2026 at 9:35 AM
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#OnThisDay - 16 January - in AD 69 the Arval Brethren record that sacrifices were made at Rome to celebrate Otho's investiture with all the trappings of the Emperor, following his coup against Galba. #AncientHistory 🏺

Image: RIC Otho 20; ANS 1967.153.121. Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Obverse of a Roman aureus: Head of Otho, bare, right. Reverse of a Roman aureus: Ceres, draped, standing left, holding two corn-ears in right hand and cornucopia in left.
January 16, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Reposted by Dr Crom
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#OnThisDay - 16 January - in AD 10 the new Temple of Concord, symbolising harmony among the imperial family, was dedicated at Rome in the names of Tiberius and Drusus (Dio 56.25). #AncientHistory 🏺

Image: RIC Tiberius 67; BnF (IMP-5737). Link - numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric....
Obverse of a Roman sestertius: Hexastyle temple with flanking wings; Concordia seated inside, holding patera and cornucopiae; Hercules and Mercury stand on podia; Jupiter, Juno, Minerva, Victories and other figures above pediment.
January 16, 2026 at 8:16 AM