In April 2023, news began to circulate that coins from the Roman Empire had been discovered on a remote island in the Baltic Sea. The two silver coins minted in A.D. 128 to 161 and A.D. 98 to 117 thrilled historians who simply didn’t have a conclusion as to how the coins got so far north. Not even heraldry traditions from the Roman Empire made it to Latvia! Since the discovery between Sweden and Estonia, research by Stockholm’s Södertörn University has continued, with another expedition launched soon after the discovery of the coins.
On September 19, 2023, researchers from the university and beyond announced further findings at the site of the coin discoveries. Now, there’s evidence of a port thought to have been in use around 2,000 years ago and potentially by seal hunters. The encampment where people would, in theory, pull their boats onto land was dated using the carbon-14 method and has now been fully excavated. With more excavations planned, intrigue in the potential for Romans coming this far north has flared up once again.
Roman Empire remains a hugely intriguing point in history
IMAGE SOURCE: Unsplash
Despite the stacks of records that we have about the Roman Empire, there are still plenty of little mysteries that surround one of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world. Naturally, their progress and feats changed each part of the world that they touched and beyond. The Roman Empire’s aqueduct system, for example, did wonders for society in the ancient world, and their grand structures at home that inspired great conquests abroad continue to be a great source of creative inspiration.
If any creative wants an instantly recognizable setting that promises political intrigue and action, they turn to the days of ancient Rome. It’s part of the reason why Rome: Fight for Gold Deluxe from Games Global remains such a hit at the betting site. The slot game released in February 2023 sets the scene in the middle of the great Colosseum.
Of course, the entertainment product that’s transported modern enthusiasts to the glory days of Rome is Gladiator. Released in 2000, it remains one of the most praised historical movies ever made. It went big at the Academy Awards and collected over $450 million at the worldwide box office. It’s even going to get a sequel set for release in November 2024. On TV, Domina recently enjoyed a well-received run, as did the German production Barbaren (Barbarians) on Netflix. The Roman Empire remains a hugely popular topic, so discoveries of more Roman artifacts in the Baltic Sea will always pique interest.
Could the Roman Empire have made it to the Baltic region?
