Jessica Suess
@jessica-suess

Jessica SuessBrazil

Member since Sep 25, 2023

About 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.

Education

MPhil Ancient History

University of Oxford (2007)

BA Hons History & Archaeology

University of Queensland (2004)

Areas of Expertise

HistoryAncient HistoryRoman HistoryNorse MythologyThe VikingsAncient EgyptFolk Magic
Bust of Julius Caesar beside a historical Roman illustration.

Why Julius Caesar Refused to Wear the Royal Diadem

In 44 BC, Mark Antony publicly offered Julius Caesar a regal diadem at the Lupercalia. While Caesar rejected the taboo honor, the incident still accelerated his assassination.

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Alexander the Great coin overlaying a classical painting.

How Alexander the Great Became Alexander the God

Alexander the Great’s legendary deeds made him seem god-like to many, but did he believe in his own divinity, and was he ever worshiped as a god?

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Classical engraving depicting a tragic Roman historical scene.

The Only Man Caesar Feared and the Tragic Defiance of Cato the Younger

Cato the Younger was one of the few politicians in the dying years of the Roman Republic who dared challenge Caesar, which made him a martyr.

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Ancient Greek pottery art beside a romantic classical painting.

7 Ancient Greek Poems That Will Change Your Mind About Love and War

These ancient Greek poems about love and war feel surprisingly modern in sentiment. From Sappho to Archilochus, this is the raw side of classical literature.

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Aerial view of Giza pyramids and Cairo cityscape

What Did the Ancient Egyptian Actually Call the Pyramids?

The word pyramid comes from ancient Greek; the Egyptians had unique sacred names for each of their mighty pyramids.

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Ancient Egyptian papyrus depicting the Opening of the Mouth ceremony.

How Egyptian Priests Prepared a Mummy for the Afterlife

How did priests prepare the bodies of the dead, creating Egypt's famous mummies? Discover the art of ancient Egyptian mummification.

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Roman lararium fresco paired with a bronze bust.

The Secret Rituals of the Roman Household Cult

Religion permeated every aspect of Roman life, starting in the home. Families undertook daily rituals to domestic deities to protect and help the household.

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Two Roman gold coins showing profile portraits.

Why the Flavian Emperors Were the True Saviors of Rome

While the Julio-Claudians established imperial Rome, it was the Flavians who saved Rome from a failing monarchy and laid the foundations for the Golden Age.

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Caesar Crossing the Rubicon

How Julius Caesar Crossing the Rubicon Shattered the Roman Republic

The moment Caesar crossed the Rubicon with his troops in 49 BC, the Roman Republic was dead. But the Republic was already on the road to self-destruction.

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colosseum inaugural games spectacles

The Colosseum’s Inaugural Games: 100 Days of Spectacles in Ancient Rome

If you were in Rome for the inaugural games of the Colosseum, what kinds of spectacles and entertainment could you expect to see?

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Roman Empire Provinces

How Rome Ruled Its Massive Provincial Empire

As Rome conquered new lands and people, it created provinces as administrative units to manage its expanding territory and population.

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Roman general Gaius Marius

How Gaius Marius Rewrote the Rules of the Roman Republic

Gaius Marius was one of the Republic’s great military heroes with incredible success in the Jugurthine and Cimbrian wars, but his career ended in controversy.

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