York skeleton is ‘first evidence of Roman gladiator battling a lion'
What brought this particular man — possibly a condemned criminal or a captured rebel — to fight in the arena, we will never know. Nor can we say whether his final performance drew applause, gasps or the weary indifference of a toga-clad crowd.
However, 1,800 years after an especially gruesome demise, his bones have provided an astonishing glimpse of Roman Britain — and what appears to be the first forensic evidence found anywhere of a gladiator being pitted against a wild animal.
His skeleton, excavated from a site in York — formerly the Roman city of Eboracum — has deep puncture wounds on a pelvic bone that match with unsettling precision the bite radius of a large cat, almost certainly a lion.
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Local Italy
an hour ago
- Local Italy
Inside Italy: Rome's angry taxi drivers and the newest tourist hotspot in the south
Inside Italy is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip from Italy that you might not have heard about. It's published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article. We'll take a break from discussing the upcoming citizenship referendum in this weekend's newsletter (although if you're interested, you can find all our coverage here, and my thoughts on it here.) Instead, I wanted to look at a couple of stories from southern Italy that got us talking at The Local over the past week. Road rage in Rome? No one likes a lazy cliché. And clichés abound when it comes to Italy, and Italians. Most of the time, they're inaccurate and insulting. But after eight years of living in Italy, I have to admit that some of the stereotypes, while obviously they won't apply to the entire population, occasionally have a grain of truth in them. This week, we saw taxi drivers in Rome complain that it was a 'banal cliché' to describe their driving as 'aggressive'. Anyone who lives in the capital, or has ever taken a cab there, will probably have an opinion as to whether or not that's a fair description. The drivers hit out at comparisons with F1 driver Max Verstappen, who was in trouble after crashing into George Russell's Mercedes during the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday. When talking to journalists about the crash, Mercedes F1 head Toto Wolff had called it 'road rage, like the taxi drivers in Rome or Naples.' 'There's a lot of aggression in the centre of Rome and Naples, without rules.' Rome taxi drivers quickly went on the defensive, attacking Wolff over the comments in the Italian press. One driver called the comments 'a banal cliché', adding that "we're the first to try to avoid getting into accidents – otherwise, we would lose a day of work.' And a representative of the city's taxi drivers' union said: 'We drive like a Mercedes since it only does 30 kilometres an hour, just like us. I won't comment on the speed issue, since I find traffic in central Rome is usually so jammed that this is the least of the passenger's worries. As for driving style, it's not just the tassisti. Roman, and Italian, drivers in general are often criticised by non-Italians for perceived aggression and an apparent lack of regard for the road rules. This is often a topic of discussion at home. My husband, not unlike the taxi drivers, argues passionately that his very Italian driving style is excellent and extremely safe. I'm not totally convinced. But I also know that, on the roads of southern Italy, my own polite, stereotypically British driving style (including a propensity to give way and follow the speed limit) is probably even more hazardous, since no-one is expecting it. When in Rome… All aboard for Bari Another story that hit, literally, close to home for me was about Bari, the capital city of the Puglia region, where I've lived for the past five years. Puglia, especially the far southern end, has become an increasingly popular tourist destination over the past decade or so, both for Italian and international visitors. But most people skip Bari or, at most, spend a day in the old town after flying in to the city's airport, before heading straight for the beaches and luxury resorts further south. That's all apparently set to change now, as Milan-based airline Neos has launched the first ever direct flights between Bari and New York, citing enormous interest from the US market. This has triggered a flurry of articles about Bari in travel media. The New York Times hailed the city recently as the place to go this summer. At The Local, we've also seen a lot of interest in our own recent articles about Bari and the new flight route. Personally, I'm glad to see it. Not only because I may now be able to persuade friends in New York to visit, but because I'm convinced that more tourism is a good thing for the city overall. Not everyone agrees. We often tend to associate increased tourism only with the negatives: the noisy crowds, the litter, the infamously disrespectful behaviour from a minority. Bari's local newspapers have published a lot of alarmist headlines lately about a rising number of tourist rentals which are said to be pushing up long-term rental costs, while a proliferation of restaurants catering for international tastes is supposedly pushing out traditional cuisine. Most recently, there was an article in La Repubblica lamenting the 'smell of English breakfasts' wafting through the streets of Bari's old town at dawn. Some local businesses have caught on to demand for savoury alternatives to the ubiquitous cornetto and cappuccino. But Benidorm, it is not. Nor is it Florence or Venice. For a long time this city, like many other parts of the south, has had serious problems with poverty and organised crime. The old town was, until quite recently, notoriously rundown and dangerous. Today it's mostly clean and safe, and that's in large part because of the impact of the growing tourism industry. Traditional stone houses in the old town are being renovated as tourist rentals, very often by the younger generations that inherit them but prefer to live somewhere more modern. Several owners have told me that they wouldn't have bothered renovating for long-term rental, which they say brings too much risk and too little return. Without tourism, these properties would no doubt join the countless other unwanted old homes standing derelict across the country. Many of these young local people might otherwise be moving away in search of a job. Bari is still in the early days of its transformation into a tourist hotspot. The big developers and international investors have not yet taken over, and the city retains its character. In years to come, maybe Bari, too, will become overrun with tour groups, lockboxes and kebabberie. But for now the city has an opportunity to do things differently, and to learn from the mistakes of overtouristed cities in Italy and beyond. We can hope. My advice? Visit as soon as you can.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Herbs to Banish Negativity – Because Not Every Vibe Deserves a Seat at the Table
Sometimes it's not the people causing the issue, it's simply the prevailing energy. And in such cases, herbs? They're truly nature's most effective bouncers. Negative energy doesn't just confine itself to horror movies or your ex's DMs—it has a tendency to stick to places, cling to people, and even linger in that one specific corner of a room that always feels inexplicably "off. " But before you feel the need to call a priest or smudge everything into a smoke alarm-triggering situation, consider these power-packed herbs, renowned across various cultures for effectively sending bad juju packing. 1. Sage – The MVP of Cleansing Widely recognized as the Beyoncé of banishing rituals. White sage, in particular, is frequently used to thoroughly clear spaces of stagnant or heavy energy. Simply light it, wave the smoke around, and bid a firm goodbye to that lingering emotional hangover. 2. Rosemary – The Warrior Herb Rosemary isn't just a delightful addition to your pasta dishes. In various folklore traditions, it's firmly believed to repel feelings of jealousy, deceit, and even psychic attacks. You can burn it, boil it, or simply carry a small sprig—just make sure you don't underestimate its potent, old-school witchy power. 3. Basil – The Energy Filter Basil not only attracts blessings but also actively works to kick out negativity. In Hindu traditions, Tulsi (Holy Basil) is revered as sacred for very good reason—it purifies not just the physical space, but is also believed to purify one's karma. And, as an added bonus, mosquitoes reportedly detest it too. It's a clear win-win situation. 4. Bay Leaves – For Wishes and Warding Off Weirdness Grab a bay leaf, write down what specifically needs to leave your life (be it toxic vibes, persistent overthinking, or that confusing situationship), and then ceremonially burn it. This isn't just dramatic; it's a form of symbolic spellwork with deep roots in ancient Roman magical practices. 5. Lavender – Peace in Plant Form This soothing herb calms the mind, softens the heart, and effectively helps kick anxiety out the window. Utilizing lavender smoke or essential oil is a gentle yet potent way to remove internal chaos without resorting to something as drastic as a full exorcism. 6. Cedar – Ancient Forest Energy Used extensively by Indigenous cultures for centuries. Cedar doesn't just banish unwanted energy—it actively protects the space. Think of it as the spiritual equivalent of putting on a pair of noise-canceling headphones for your environment. 7. Mugwort – The Dream Gatekeeper This particular herb is especially beneficial for those who tend to overthink and over-feel. Mugwort helps clear subconscious clutter, aids in vivid and insightful dreams, and diligently guards the aura like a highly effective cosmic security guard. How to Use Them: Burn them as incense or in bundles (a practice commonly known as smudging). Infuse them into your bathwater for a cleansing soak. Create sprays using their essential oils diluted with water. Carry small amounts in a charm bag or pouch for personal protection. Place them under your pillow for dream work or near entryways to protect your home. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
North Wales Live
3 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Fire at ancient Anglesey church nearing end of £2.3m upgrade
Concerns for an ancient Anglesey church were raised when smoke was seen billowing high into the sky. St Cybi's in Holyhead is undergoing extensive redevelopment and parishioners feared a fire could jeopardise next month's scheduled reopening. It's understood vandals set light to portaloos being used by workers refurbishing the church, which dates from the 6th century and is built into Holyhead's Roman wall. The fire spread to adjacent timber stacked ready for use inside the building. Smoke was seen rising from the churchyard at around 6.30pm on Thursday, June 5. Although firefighters extinguished the blaze before causing serious damage, it's believed a section of the church's exterior wall was left charred and blackened. This is expected to weather and disappear over time. "It could have been a lot worse," said one observer. St Cybi's and its adjacent 14th century chapel, Eglwys y Bedd, are currently being redeveloped as part of a £2.3m project funded by UK Levelling up money. The church will reopen as a 'more accessible' multi-use community hub with a social enterprise cafe. The chapel, built on the site of St Cybi's original cell, is being extended using Anglesey limestone, quarried in Moelfre. In the plans are some exciting innovations designed to appeal to a younger demographic. Five ancient churches in the Diocese of Bangor are being upgraded as part of the Llefa'r Cerrig - Stones Shout Out initiative. Air source heat pumps are being installed to provide underfloor heating, and solar panels placed on south-facing roofs. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now St Cybi's is one of the five beneficiaries, with a shop and children's play area also planned. But the work hasn't been without controversy. Some parisioners were unhappy on learning that traditional old pews were being replaced by pews that can be moved to facilitate events and meetings. There was also anger over the transfer of St Cybi's organ to another church that can afford its estimated £200,000 repair bill. Critics claimed the heart of St Cybi's was being 'ripped out of it'. Meanwhile, the project timeline slipped when skeletal remains were discovered under the church and in the churchyard. In a pit beneath the chancel near the altar, a 'large collection of unarticulated human remains of unknown date' were found in summer 2023. They were buried beneath the church's 'Victorian layer', laid by architect Gilbert Scott during his reordering of the church in 1876-1879. It's suspected they had been reinterred, probably from multiple graves within the churchyard. All remains removed were due to be reinterred within the churchyard. Excitingly, other archaeological digs revealed what is believed to be part of the original footpath laid by Roman settlers at the site thousands of years ago. It's hoped St Cybi's can reopen in late July.
