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
The Seven Hills of Ancient Rome Mapped
Rome was famously constructed around seven hills, each with distinct monuments, neighborhoods, and characters. Discover the seven hills of ancient Rome.
How Augustus’ Moral Laws Controlled Culture in Ancient Rome
As part of his rejuvenation of Rome, Augustus passed moral legislation to rebuild the population and restore Rome’s traditional values.
How the Romans Made Foreign Gods Their Own (Roman Syncretism)
How did the Romans absorb the new gods they encountered across their Empire into the Roman pantheon, and why was Christianity the exception?
The Vicious Viking Tax of Danegeld That Bankrupted Anglo-Saxon England
When the Vikings raided their neighbors in France and England, they often extorted payment called danegeld to leave, though they were always back before long.
How Julius Caesar Became a Living God (Literally)
Roman emperors were often deified after death, but during the dying days of the Republic, Julius Caesar was made a living god, creating a taboo.
How Rome Used the Saecular Games to Reinvent Itself
According to tradition, the Saecular Games were ancient ludi that marked a new era in Rome’s history, but they were largely invented in the Augustan Age.
How Asatru, the Cult of the Norse Gods, Returned as an Official Religion in Iceland
Asatru, a neopagan religion dedicated to the Old Norse gods, was established as an official religion in Iceland in 1972; other countries soon followed.
Nephthys, the Dark Sister of Isis in the Egyptian Pantheon
The Egyptian goddess Nephthys was the dark mirror image of her sister Isis, representing the darker liminal spaces, where she was a protectress and nurturer.
How the Gauls First Sacked Rome in 390 BCE and Changed Its Future
According to legend, the Gauls sacked Rome in 390 BCE, an experience so traumatic that it led Rome to create its Empire. But did it even really happen?
How Did Vitruvius the Architect Build Ancient Rome?
The Roman military engineer Vitruvius wrote the only treatise on architecture surviving from antiquity, De Architectura. Why was his work so influential?
How Caesar Crossing the Rubicon Set Rome on the Road to Empire
The moment Caesar crossed the Rubicon with his troops in 49 BCE, the Roman Republic was dead. But the Republic was already on the road to self-destruction.
The Incredible Story of the Viking Who Discovered America
Leif Erikson is known as the first Viking explorer to reach the New World, but he was also responsible for the Christianization of Greenland.