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The Greeks and Romans were fascinated by the ancient monuments of Egypt. But they weren't sure just how ancient they were.Did the Romans Know How Old the Pyramids Were? | August 12, 2022 | toldinstoneChapters:0:00 Introduction0:56 Ancient history's ancient history2:41 Greeks and Romans in Egypt3:23 Wealthfront4:42 Egyptomania5:15 The Pyramids7:00 Why the Romans were wrong

In this video, after discussing why certain ancient coins are worth millions, I meet the most valuable coin of all: the famous EID MAR aureus issued by Brutus to commemorate the assassination of Julius Caesar.This video was made possible by the generosity of Numismatica Ars Classica, who very kindly allowed me to visit their London office and handle these coins. You can find out more about NAC and the coins displayed in this video here: https://www.arsclassicacoins.com/Someone put a Hole in this Coin - now it's worth Millions (the EID MAR aureus)May 27, 2022 | toldinstone

In an overlooked corner of the Vatican Museums is a Roman toilet of red marble, probably made for an emperor. This toilet and its twin played an important role in the investiture ceremonies of medieval popes - and inspired a scandalous legend.The Roman Toilet That Became a Papal ThroneMay 3, 2022 | toldinstone

Polar bears from the Arctic. Tigers from India. Giraffes from the Serengeti. The Romans brought animals thousands of miles for the beast hunts and shows staged in the Colosseum.How did the Romans Capture Animals for the Colosseum? | August 16, 2019 | toldinstone

Were the Romans close to an Industrial Revolution? (Part 1) | February 25, 2022 | toldinstone

No, they were not. You can read the original version of my answer to this question, which appeared on the AskHistorians subreddit, here.Were the Roman Aqueducts used as Water Slides? | April 1, 2022 | toldinstone

This video estimates the amount of gold in the Roman Empire - and the approximate chances of that gold ending up in your smartphone.How much Gold did the Romans have - and where is it now? | December 7, 2022 | toldinstone

For centuries, concrete was everywhere in Roman Italy: in the awesomely durable breakwaters of artificial harbors, in the soaring vaults of great baths, in the foundations of the Colosseum, and - of course - in the spectacular dome of the Pantheon. But during late antiquity, concrete all but vanished from the Mediterranean world, and would not be used widely again until the twentieth century. This video explains why.Chapters:0:00 Introduction0:39 Understanding Roman concrete1:29 Early experiments2:25 The apogee3:33 Squarespace!4:19 Geographic limits of Roman concrete5:00 The decline of concrete6:28 Final notices7:26 Not forgotten, but goneWhy was Roman Concrete Forgotten during the Middle Ages?...

For more than two centuries, much of northern India was ruled by Greek kings. Eventually, these kings and many of their Greek subjects converted to Buddhism, with far-reaching historical consequences.Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:16 Alexander in India2:00 The Indo-Greek Kingdom3:28 Buddhism in Mauryan India4:18 Greek converts to Buddhism5:41 Contacts between India and the Roman Empire6:46 Buddhism in classical texts7:32 Buddhism and Greek Skepticism8:27 The Greek influence on Buddhist art9:54 Conclusion

The Ancient Greeks and Romans used opium, marijuana, and other narcotics to relieve pain and induce sleep. They may have also enhanced rituals and enlivened banquets with hallucinogens.Drug Use in Ancient Greece and Rome | September 17, 2021 | toldinstone | 23:03

Archaeologists have discovered some ancient Roman leftovers while digging around in the sewers of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy.They found seeds from figs, grapes and melons, as well as traces of olives and walnuts, thought to have been left by snacking spectators 1,900 years ago.Fragments of bones from ferocious animals that fought for their lives in the Roman arena were also unearthed in 230 feet (70 m) of searched drains.The Colosseum is 2,000-year-old stone ampitheatre built in Rome under the Flavian Emperors of the Roman Empire around 70 AD...The results of the study by the Colosseum Archaeological Park were presented...

Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:09 Toothpicks and tooth powders2:49 Dealing with bad breath and toothache3:47 Established Titles5:13 Roman dentistry6:28 Dentures7:05 The evidence from Pompeii8:25 Worn enamel and plaqueWhy the Romans had Better Teeth than Modern Europeanstoldinstone | September 2, 2022

Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:27 Graffiti and public addresses2:18 Gossip, rumor, chit-chat3:05 Morning Brew4:06 Rome’s daily newspaper6:07 Town criers6:41 Spreading the newsGetting the News in Ancient Rome | July 15, 2022 | toldinstone