In the forecourt of his palace, the Roman emperor Nero kept a statue of himself, 10 stories tall. The Colossus of Nero, as it came to be known, was 120 feet of upright bronze, self-commemorating a tyrant who had -- among other acts of depravity -- murdered his own mother. The statue was eventually moved to a spot outside the Flavian Amphitheatre, which became known, by its proximity to the Colossus, as the Colosseum.
Nearly two years ago in June 2010, the war in Afghanistan surpassed the Vietnam War to become the longest war in American history. Although the U.S. ousted the Taliban from power and killed Osama bin Laden last year in Pakistan, it is clear that recent incidents, including the tragic killing of civilians by a U.S. soldier, are costing Americans the hearts and minds of the people of Afghanistan.
IME visits Liptus Magna, Roman ruins beyond comparison with any location in Europe.
Libya today is a free Libya, but also a Libya plagued by a sad and violent history, a Libya that has not been able to progress for 42 years. Basic education, health care and infrastructure are integral to Libya's success and its future. But art and culture can be and should be a huge part of the healing process as well as future development.
A collection of rare ancient Greek coins which has been hidden away for two decades is expected to sell for millions of dollars when it goes up for auction in New York on Wednesday.
Libyans protect ancient treasures at Roman sites, but experts fear many have been looted. CNN's Nic Robertson reports.
Walking along the tree-lined gravel track towards one of the Roman Empire's greatest architectural legacies, little can prepare you for what you are about to experience.
We may not immediately equate the activities of archaeologists to trash sifting. Or imagine that the glass-encased artifacts in museums might be one-time refuse. But quite often, this is exactly the case.
Before Moammar Gadhafi, there were the Phoenicians. And the Greeks. The Romans. The first Arabs. They're a reminder that no civilization -- and no leader -- is forever.
A statue resembling the goddess Athena and jewelry bearing images from Greco-Roman mythology may not be objects you'd expect to see in a museum exhibit of Buddhist art from Pakistan.
An advanced city submerged under sea; an ancient garden paradise bearing a tree of knowledge; an island of bird-women seductresses -- the stuff of pure fiction. Or perhaps not?
Ask a group of Russians where they'll be vacationing this summer and chances are they'll all give the same answer: Ukraine.
CNN's Ivan Watson explores the hometown of the man who inspired the legend of Santa Claus.
The hometown of the man who inspired the legend of Santa Claus is a long way from the snow and arctic lights of the North Pole.
A marble portrait bust of Antinous -- the companion Roman Emperor Hadrian had declared a god -- sold for over $23 million, exceeding the high estimate of $3 million, at Sotheby's on Tuesday.
Israeli archaeologists have discovered an ancient Roman bathhouse that was probably used by the soldiers who destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Monday.
Archaeologists have uncovered an ancient Roman landscape beneath a park in west London, with a Roman road, evidence of a settlement, and unusual burials among the finds.
At first glance, San Gimignano, Italy, looks much as it must have more than 700 years ago, thanks to amazingly preserved medieval architecture and fortified walls.
A detailed and well-preserved Roman parade helmet -- complete with fine facial features on its face mask, tight curly hair, and a griffin-topped cap -- sold at auction Thursday for 10 times its estimated amount.
A detailed and well-preserved Roman parade helmet -- complete with fine facial features on its face mask, tight curly hair, and a griffin-topped cap -- will go up for auction Thursday, five months after it was found in northern England.
The relatively private life of Facebook's founder -- or at least a fictionalized version of it -- is about to get much more public.
English archaeologists said Friday they are trying to figure out why 97 babies were buried around a Roman-era villa that may have been used as a brothel.
British archaeologists puzzle over bones of babies who died when the Roman empire ruled Britain.
About two hours from bustling Milan and touristy Venice is Verona -- a welcome sip of pure, easygoing Italy. Made famous by Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, Verona is Italy's fourth-most-visited city and second in the Veneto region only to Venice in population and artistic importance. If you don't need world-class sights, this town is a joy.
Macedonia's prime minister has said the country is seeking a compromise with Greece over the long-standing name dispute between both countries.
CNN's Nic Robertson interviews the prime minister of Macedonia about the future of that country.
An Italian chef lands in hot water after serving up a recipe for cat casserole. CNN's Jim Clancy reports.
Italy's state-owned television broadcaster has dropped a popular chef for sharing a recipe with viewers to cook cat.
Each Christmas, Christians tell stories about the poor baby Jesus born in a lowly manger because there was no room in the inn.
Professor Simon Schama talks to Christiane Amanpour's team and answers user/viewer questions on Afghanistan.
The hand of history will be weighing heavily on U.S. President Barack Obama's shoulders as he deploys thousands more troops to Afghanistan in the hope of finally crushing a relentless Taliban insurgency.
Scientific tests prove bones housed in the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome are those of the apostle St. Paul himself, according to Pope Benedict XVI.
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