Today, most people know the word as a synonym for “destroy.” But fewer realize its origins — or that it’s come to mean something strikingly different than it once did.
Ancient Rome
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From Descartes to punk rock, X has an extraordinary history
The letter X can be a lot of things: rebellious, mysterious, religious. For this Word of the Week, we examine its origins and many uses.
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An ancient Roman basilica has been discovered below London’s financial district
The basilica, dating back some 1,900 years, was found during excavations that took place as part of the demolition of a building in the heart of London.
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A Roman beach destroyed by Mount Vesuvius is open to the public for the first time
The beach at Herculaneum is believed to be where some 300 people died while waiting for boats to save them from the volcanic eruption in 79 AD. It’s now open to the public for the first time.
