Dr Alan Montgomery
@classicalalan.bsky.social
Historian, artist, tour guide and FSAScot. A lover of legend and folklore.
Buy my art and my books here: https://linktr.ee/classicalalan
Buy my art and my books here: https://linktr.ee/classicalalan
The remains of the carved pediment of the Roman temple of Sulis from Bath for #ReliefWednesday. Discovered in 1790, it was once supported by four columns and features Tritons, Winged Victories, a dolphin, an owl and a face in the centre that has been identified as a Gorgon.
January 14, 2026 at 11:17 AM
The remains of the carved pediment of the Roman temple of Sulis from Bath for #ReliefWednesday. Discovered in 1790, it was once supported by four columns and features Tritons, Winged Victories, a dolphin, an owl and a face in the centre that has been identified as a Gorgon.
This is the tombstone of a Roman soldier named Ammonius, son of Damio, a centurion in the first Cohort of Spaniards who probably came from North Africa or the Eastern Mediterranean. He died after 27 years service and was buried at Ardoch in Perthshire, Scotland. #TombTuesday
January 13, 2026 at 8:46 AM
This is the tombstone of a Roman soldier named Ammonius, son of Damio, a centurion in the first Cohort of Spaniards who probably came from North Africa or the Eastern Mediterranean. He died after 27 years service and was buried at Ardoch in Perthshire, Scotland. #TombTuesday
My original watercolour of sacred St Kenelm's Well near Winchcombe in Gloucestershire has been hanging around in my Etsy shop for a while, so I have slashed the price to only £20 - get it while you can here: www.etsy.com/shop/Sunsand...
#MedievalMonday #Art
#MedievalMonday #Art
January 12, 2026 at 9:14 AM
My original watercolour of sacred St Kenelm's Well near Winchcombe in Gloucestershire has been hanging around in my Etsy shop for a while, so I have slashed the price to only £20 - get it while you can here: www.etsy.com/shop/Sunsand...
#MedievalMonday #Art
#MedievalMonday #Art
This is my illustration of Dunmoid Stone Circe at Comrie in Perthshire, which appeared in my recent book 'The Road To Mons Graupius'. Marked on old maps as a 'Druidical Temple', it was also thought to be the tomb of a Roman or Saxon soldier. #StandingStoneSunday
January 11, 2026 at 9:19 AM
This is my illustration of Dunmoid Stone Circe at Comrie in Perthshire, which appeared in my recent book 'The Road To Mons Graupius'. Marked on old maps as a 'Druidical Temple', it was also thought to be the tomb of a Roman or Saxon soldier. #StandingStoneSunday
Watling Street, not far from St Paul's Cathedral, can convincingly claim to be the oldest street in London. It is part of a Roman road that once ran from Dover to Wroxeter and crossed the River Thames over the first London Bridge. #RomanSiteSaturday
January 10, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Watling Street, not far from St Paul's Cathedral, can convincingly claim to be the oldest street in London. It is part of a Roman road that once ran from Dover to Wroxeter and crossed the River Thames over the first London Bridge. #RomanSiteSaturday
This lead drain allowed water to exit an open air pool at the Roman baths of Durovernum Cantiacorum (modern-day Canterbury). The 1.2m deep pool was situated in the palaestra, or exercise yard, and was probably fed with water from natural springs. #FindsFriday
January 9, 2026 at 9:40 AM
This lead drain allowed water to exit an open air pool at the Roman baths of Durovernum Cantiacorum (modern-day Canterbury). The 1.2m deep pool was situated in the palaestra, or exercise yard, and was probably fed with water from natural springs. #FindsFriday
The magnificent walls of Pevensey Castle originally surrounded a third-century Roman fort. Known in ancient times as Anderitum, it was one of several forts built around the south east coast of Britannia to protect it from foreign attack. #RomanFortThursday
January 8, 2026 at 10:21 AM
The magnificent walls of Pevensey Castle originally surrounded a third-century Roman fort. Known in ancient times as Anderitum, it was one of several forts built around the south east coast of Britannia to protect it from foreign attack. #RomanFortThursday
I am intrigued by the this old photo of Glasgow Uni, particularly the strange building below it that looks like a medieval tower house. It is not there now - does anyone know what it was? @pastglasgow.co.uk @glasgow.ac.uk
January 7, 2026 at 2:19 PM
I am intrigued by the this old photo of Glasgow Uni, particularly the strange building below it that looks like a medieval tower house. It is not there now - does anyone know what it was? @pastglasgow.co.uk @glasgow.ac.uk
An ancient Egyptian limestone relief thought to represent Cleopatra III or VII in the guise of a goddess. An image of a prince is apparently carved into the other side.
It is now on show @camunivmuseums.bsky.social
#ReliefWednesday
It is now on show @camunivmuseums.bsky.social
#ReliefWednesday
January 7, 2026 at 9:32 AM
An ancient Egyptian limestone relief thought to represent Cleopatra III or VII in the guise of a goddess. An image of a prince is apparently carved into the other side.
It is now on show @camunivmuseums.bsky.social
#ReliefWednesday
It is now on show @camunivmuseums.bsky.social
#ReliefWednesday
This is my watercolour of Wayland's Smithy, a Neolithic long barrow in Oxfordshire. Legend tells that if you leave your horse there with a coin then the mythical blacksmith Wayland will magically reshoe it.
The original artwork is now available on my Etsy shop here: shorturl.at/HDzSI
#TombTuesday
The original artwork is now available on my Etsy shop here: shorturl.at/HDzSI
#TombTuesday
January 6, 2026 at 9:06 AM
This is my watercolour of Wayland's Smithy, a Neolithic long barrow in Oxfordshire. Legend tells that if you leave your horse there with a coin then the mythical blacksmith Wayland will magically reshoe it.
The original artwork is now available on my Etsy shop here: shorturl.at/HDzSI
#TombTuesday
The original artwork is now available on my Etsy shop here: shorturl.at/HDzSI
#TombTuesday
I am currently working on an exciting new project - a set of illustrations for a forthcoming book by @brittanyexpert.bsky.social about the magical castle of Combourg in Brittany. #MedievalMonday
January 5, 2026 at 11:32 AM
I am currently working on an exciting new project - a set of illustrations for a forthcoming book by @brittanyexpert.bsky.social about the magical castle of Combourg in Brittany. #MedievalMonday
This Roman mosaic floor was found during excavations of a townhouse outside the walls of Colchester. Created in the 2nd century, it was poorly repaired with pink mortar just before the house was demolished c. AD 300. It is now on display in Colchester Castle @colmuseums.bsky.social
#MosaicMonday
#MosaicMonday
January 5, 2026 at 9:26 AM
This Roman mosaic floor was found during excavations of a townhouse outside the walls of Colchester. Created in the 2nd century, it was poorly repaired with pink mortar just before the house was demolished c. AD 300. It is now on display in Colchester Castle @colmuseums.bsky.social
#MosaicMonday
#MosaicMonday
This is my watercolour of the menhir of Champ Dolent (Field of Sorrow) in Brittany. According to legend the huge stone rose from the ground to separate two feuding brothers who were about to kill each other. The original artwork is now on sale on my Etsy shop: shorturl.at/HDzSI
#StandingStoneSunday
#StandingStoneSunday
January 4, 2026 at 9:09 AM
This is my watercolour of the menhir of Champ Dolent (Field of Sorrow) in Brittany. According to legend the huge stone rose from the ground to separate two feuding brothers who were about to kill each other. The original artwork is now on sale on my Etsy shop: shorturl.at/HDzSI
#StandingStoneSunday
#StandingStoneSunday
An old but suitably seasonal photo of the bathhouse at Bar Hill Roman fort in the snow. I am sure the warm waters and hot rooms in there must have been much appreciated by the soldiers at this time of year! #RomanSiteSaturday
January 3, 2026 at 8:24 AM
An old but suitably seasonal photo of the bathhouse at Bar Hill Roman fort in the snow. I am sure the warm waters and hot rooms in there must have been much appreciated by the soldiers at this time of year! #RomanSiteSaturday
A selection of finds from Roman Rochester now on display in the town's Guildhall Museum, including fragments of mosaic, fresco and a selection of coins. #FindsFriday #FrescoFriday
January 2, 2026 at 8:06 AM
A selection of finds from Roman Rochester now on display in the town's Guildhall Museum, including fragments of mosaic, fresco and a selection of coins. #FindsFriday #FrescoFriday
My Christmas reading was the wonderful 'Upon A White Horse' by @peteralanross.bsky.social, a lovely account of the author's travels across Britain in search of enigmatic ancient sites. Highly recommended and it has inspired me to get out and about a visit a few of the places he describes in 2026!
January 1, 2026 at 8:41 PM
My Christmas reading was the wonderful 'Upon A White Horse' by @peteralanross.bsky.social, a lovely account of the author's travels across Britain in search of enigmatic ancient sites. Highly recommended and it has inspired me to get out and about a visit a few of the places he describes in 2026!
As @smolrobots.bsky.social has just pointed out, there is in fact a model of Corfe Castle in the model of Corfe Castle Model Village in Corfe Castle Model Village...
December 31, 2025 at 11:30 AM
As @smolrobots.bsky.social has just pointed out, there is in fact a model of Corfe Castle in the model of Corfe Castle Model Village in Corfe Castle Model Village...
Corfe Castle, the model of Corfe Castle in Corfe Castle Model Village, and the model of Corfe Castle in the model of Corfe Castle Model Village in Corfe Castle Model Village.
December 31, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Corfe Castle, the model of Corfe Castle in Corfe Castle Model Village, and the model of Corfe Castle in the model of Corfe Castle Model Village in Corfe Castle Model Village.
An old favourite for the last #TombTuesday of 2025, this is the Dolmen des Follets, a neolithic tomb in St Gravé, Brittany. It is said to be inhabited by a band of ferocious goblins (the 'follets') who fiercely guard a treasure buried beneath.
December 30, 2025 at 9:40 AM
An old favourite for the last #TombTuesday of 2025, this is the Dolmen des Follets, a neolithic tomb in St Gravé, Brittany. It is said to be inhabited by a band of ferocious goblins (the 'follets') who fiercely guard a treasure buried beneath.
Some beautiful fragments of early stained glass at Ely Cathedral for #MedievalMonday.
December 22, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Some beautiful fragments of early stained glass at Ely Cathedral for #MedievalMonday.
Colchester Castle is built on the foundations of a Roman temple and its structure includes much recycled Roman building material. One staircase includes this chunk of ancient tile which features the prints of a Roman hobnail boot (my own foot for scale) #RomanSiteSaturday @colmuseums.bsky.social
December 20, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Colchester Castle is built on the foundations of a Roman temple and its structure includes much recycled Roman building material. One staircase includes this chunk of ancient tile which features the prints of a Roman hobnail boot (my own foot for scale) #RomanSiteSaturday @colmuseums.bsky.social
Something a bit different for #FindsFriday - this is a lock of hair that once belonged to a Roman woman. She was buried at Poundbury in Dorset and her body was packed in gypsum, which preserved her carefully plaited locks. Now in @dorsetmuseum.bsky.social.
December 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Something a bit different for #FindsFriday - this is a lock of hair that once belonged to a Roman woman. She was buried at Poundbury in Dorset and her body was packed in gypsum, which preserved her carefully plaited locks. Now in @dorsetmuseum.bsky.social.
This model of Roman London was made in 1928-33 by Anthony G Lowther and is now in the crypt of All Hallows-by-the-Tower. Although our understanding of the ancient city has changed since its creation, it does show the correct locations of the fort (1), basilica (3) and bridge (6). #RomanFortThursday
December 18, 2025 at 8:27 AM
This model of Roman London was made in 1928-33 by Anthony G Lowther and is now in the crypt of All Hallows-by-the-Tower. Although our understanding of the ancient city has changed since its creation, it does show the correct locations of the fort (1), basilica (3) and bridge (6). #RomanFortThursday
This spooky carved relief of Ankou, the Breton personification of death, can found on the ossuary of the church of St Yves in La Roche-Maurice. He holds an arrow and a banner that reads 'JE VOUS TUE TOUS' (I kill you all). #ReliefWednesday
December 17, 2025 at 8:31 AM
This spooky carved relief of Ankou, the Breton personification of death, can found on the ossuary of the church of St Yves in La Roche-Maurice. He holds an arrow and a banner that reads 'JE VOUS TUE TOUS' (I kill you all). #ReliefWednesday
This is the Bucklersbury Pavement, a Roman mosaic found in 1869 during construction of Queen Victoria Street in the City of London. Dating to around 200-250 CE, it was later exhibited in the old Museum of London (and will hopefully feature in the new @londonmuseum.bsky.social too!) #MosaicMonday
December 15, 2025 at 8:14 AM
This is the Bucklersbury Pavement, a Roman mosaic found in 1869 during construction of Queen Victoria Street in the City of London. Dating to around 200-250 CE, it was later exhibited in the old Museum of London (and will hopefully feature in the new @londonmuseum.bsky.social too!) #MosaicMonday