Jessica Suess
Jessica holds a BA Hons in History and Archaeology from the University of Queensland and an MPhil in Ancient History from the University of Oxford, where she researched the worship of the Roman emperors. She worked for Oxford University Museums for 10 years before relocating to Brazil. She is mad about the Romans, the Egyptians, the Vikings, the history of esoteric religions, and folk magic and gets excited about the latest archaeological finds.
Articles by Jessica Suess
Emperor Claudius’s Invasion of Britain That Shaped the IslandIt was in 42 CE, under Emperor Claudius, a century after Julius Caesar’s initial incursions, that Britannia would become a province of the Roman Empire.
What Is Your Egyptian Zodiac Sign? Understanding Egyptian AstrologyThe Egyptians had a unique stellar constellation system and zodiac under the rulership of their gods. What might your Egyptian Zodiac sign have been?
The Egyptians had a unique stellar constellation system and zodiac under the rulership of their gods. What might your Egyptian Zodiac sign have been?
The Great Heathen Army & the Viking Invasion of EnglandA significant Viking force known as the Great Heathen Army descended on England in 865. No longer satisfied with raiding, they were determined to conquer.
A significant Viking force known as the Great Heathen Army descended on England in 865. No longer satisfied with raiding, they were determined to conquer.
The Military Career of the “Bad” Emperor DomitianThe ancient authors describe the emperor Domitian as an ambitious boy playing at war, but what do we know about his military record?
The ancient authors describe the emperor Domitian as an ambitious boy playing at war, but what do we know about his military record?
How the Sami Survived at the Edge of the Viking WorldWhile European Christians considered the Vikings to be heathens from the north, the Sami were the northern neighbors whom the Vikings considered “other.”
While European Christians considered the Vikings to be heathens from the north, the Sami were the northern neighbors whom the Vikings considered “other.”
The Life & Deification of Drusilla, Caligula’s SisterThe imperial princess Drusilla was extremely close to her brother Caligula, who was greatly affected by her death and immortalized her as a goddess.
When Did the Viking Age Really Begin?The Danish raid on Lindisfarne in 793 CE marks the start of the Viking Age, but Swedish Vikings were raiding the Baltic 50-100 years earlier.
The Danish raid on Lindisfarne in 793 CE marks the start of the Viking Age, but Swedish Vikings were raiding the Baltic 50-100 years earlier.
The Turbulent Life of Livia Augusta, the First Roman EmpressWhen Livia married Augustus, she became the first Roman empress. She is remembered both as the ideal matron and a ruthless mother.
5 Egyptian Gods Adopted by the RomansSome Egyptian gods became so popular in the Roman world that they were even worshiped in Rome itself, including Isis, Serapis, Osiris, and Anubis.
Some Egyptian gods became so popular in the Roman world that they were even worshiped in Rome itself, including Isis, Serapis, Osiris, and Anubis.
How Did the Ancient Egyptian Religion Change Through the Centuries?While we often discuss ancient Egyptian religion as a unified system of beliefs, it was highly regional and evolved over the millennia of Egyptian history.
The Roman Worship of Personifications (Fortuna, Victoria, and Concordia)Personifications of abstract forces, or “Virtues,” such as Fortuna and Victoria, emerged early in Roman religion and took on new meaning under the emperors.
Personifications of abstract forces, or “Virtues,” such as Fortuna and Victoria, emerged early in Roman religion and took on new meaning under the emperors.
Did the Vikings Practice Human Sacrifice?Several sources suggest that the Vikings practiced human sacrifice. How common was the phenomenon and in what circumstances did it occur?
Several sources suggest that the Vikings practiced human sacrifice. How common was the phenomenon and in what circumstances did it occur?