THATMuse

Infamous Roman Emperors: Caligula the Cruel

Warning! The reign of Roman Emperor Caligula involves a descent into murder and madness! I don’t know about you but I think it’s time to put Caligula on trial and uncover his many transgressions.

When Love Conquers War: Botticelli’s Venus and Mars

Botticelli’s Venus and Mars has a lot to tell us about love, marriage, and classical works (there’s even some humor)! What’s not to love!?

Corona Borealis Constellation

Written in the Stars: Titian’s Tale of Bacchus and Ariadne

What do you know of Bacchus and Ariadne’s love-struck tale? Lucky for us, Titian, an Italian artist, sets (or paints) the scene!

Keeping Up With Faustina the Younger: A Tale of Love Affairs, Executions, & Rumors

Rumors flew around the Roman Empire that Faustina the Younger had committed adultery multiple times – the most memorably with a gladiator. Though probably false and created by Faustina’s biggest enemies, the rumors are a lasting piece of Faustina’s legacy.

The Basanite Babe

Livia Drusilla, first Empress of Rome, was indisputably the most powerful woman in the Julio-Claudian Roman Empire. All Julio-Claudian emperors were her direct descendants, despite having a childless marriage to the 1st Emperor of Rome, Augustus (formerly Octavian… Read More

Sick Puppies in Rome

Emperor TIBERIUS, 2nd Emperor of Rome (14 – 37 AD) Stepson of Augustus (first Emperor of Rome), Tiberius was an impressive military man, with several significant battles under his belt. He wasn’t, however, very well suited to civilian… Read More

Messalina: More Sour Grapes

Part of the reason the Julio-Claudian family is tricky to follow is because of all of the interconnected (read: incest!) relationships. Roman Empress Valeria Messalina, known as just Messalina (12 – 48 AD), was the third wife to… Read More

Beautiful Beauties Hint

The Three Graces The Graces, according to Seneca, stand for the 3-fold aspect of generosity the giving, receiving and returning of gifts of benefits. Three daughters of Zeus, some identified them as Beauty, Charm and Joy. Many myths… Read More

SheMan Beauty

It’s really not so easy to follow a post concerning Pauline la Pute (or as she was known in history Pauline Borghese, Napoleon’s sister & Prince Camillo Borghese’s wife). I love the drafty old halls of the Louvre…. Read More