Articles written by Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

London did not grow organically out of a small settlement. It was chosen by the Romans specifically for a regional capital, and for good reasons.

Aug 2, 2010 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

The French love dogs, which is great for those hoping to bring theirs on holiday! Dogs are welcome nearly everywhere, but there are some things to consider.

Jul 21, 2010 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

For one week every summer, hundreds of vikings and thousands of modern visitors flock to Foteviken in southern Sweden to fight, feast and shop.

Jun 10, 2010 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

There was no refined sugar in ancient Rome, but they still made lavish desserts: fruit platters, candies, soufflés, puddings, ice cream and cake.

Apr 14, 2010 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

Though Roman dessert pastries had to be made without sugar, butter or baking powder, the Roman kitchen included forms of baklava, doughnuts and sponge cake.

Apr 12, 2010 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

Ancient Judea rarely issued coins of their own, but there are still many coins of biblical importance, of Old and New Testament alike.

Apr 7, 2010 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

The ancient Latin word for tattoo is "stigma" and its modern meaning encapsulates Roman views of tattoos. Some were religious, but mostly one would want them removed.

Apr 6, 2010 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

In ancient Greece even jealousy had magical solutions. With the help of a witch the scorned could separate those starstruck lovers with hate and lack of sexual function.

Mar 2, 2010 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

In ancient Greece all forms of unrequited love had magical solutions. The lover could send Eros to do his bidding, curse the loved into her arms, or use aphrodisiacs.

Mar 1, 2010 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

In ancient Greece, where female sexuality was an object of fear, some believed in Empusa: a terrible she-demon, who seduced young men to feast on their flesh and blood.

Feb 2, 2010 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

Even ancient writers seem unsure of what the Empusa was. At the very least, she was a terrifying monster. As something more, an aspect of Hecate and an initiation rite.

Feb 2, 2010 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

Underneath the streets of London lie the homes of foreign gods. Some, like the Mithraeum, can still be seen today on a visit to the British capital. Most remain hidden.

Jan 15, 2010 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

In just two decades, Seleucus I Nicator went from being an officer under Alexander the Great to being king and founding a Hellenistic empire of his very own.

Dec 16, 2009 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

Alexander the Great died suddenly in 323 BCE without leaving an heir. What he did leave was a group of wildly ambitious generals who came to be known as the Successors.

Dec 11, 2009 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

Sex trade was abundant in the city of Pompeii, but scholars disagree about whether it was conducted in secrecy or out in the open.

Dec 1, 2009 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

A guided visit to Pompeii can make it seem like there was once a brothel on every corner, but Pompeiians might not have been quite as promiscuous as once thought.

Nov 30, 2009 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

The Grazers took Christian monastic asceticism to new extremes. By being more like animals, those who were never cast from Eden, they hoped to gain God's favour.

Nov 24, 2009 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

The evidence for human sacrifice among the ancient Celts is two-sided. Whereas ritual killings in Gaul are uncertain, Britain was the home of some gruesome scenes.

Nov 23, 2009 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

Oppressive gender roles did little to encourage or document athleticism in the women of ancient Greece. Even so, women carried on exercising and competing.

Nov 20, 2009 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

Many modern sports have ancient forerunners in the Greek world. Rugby is attested in written sources and field hockey - some say even football - can be seen in art.

Nov 16, 2009 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart

Alexander the Great was the first to establish Greek cities in Afghanistan. After his death they fell to the Seleucid Empire of Greek Syria, before finally breaking free.

Nov 9, 2009 - Emma Oxenby Wohlfart