All About Royal Families

On 1 August 10 BC Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was born at Lugdunum (nowadays Lyon in France). own picture of Claudius Taken at the Vatican Museums in 2017 Family Claudius was the son of Nero Claudius Drusus and Antonia. His maternal grandparents were Mark Antony and Octavia Minor, Augustus' sister. Claudius was thus the great-great grand nephew of Tiberius Claudius Nero.  Claudius had two older siblings Germanicus and Livia. His mother had two other children who died young.  Youth In 9 BC , Claudius' father Drusus unexpectedly died on campaign in Germania, possibly from illness. He was then left to be raised by his mother, who never remarried.  In 7 AD, Livy was hired as tutor of Claudius. He also took lessons  from the philosopher Athenodorus.  The guards proclaimed Claudius Emperor Source picture: Wikipedia Raise to power When Augustus died in AD 14,Claudius was 23 years old. He appealed to his uncle Tiberius, to allow him to begin the curus honorum. Tiberius

On 31 Augustus 12 AD , Gaius Julius Caesar (named in honour of his famous relative) was born in Antium (Anzio).  Family His parents were Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder, who was the daughter of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Julia the Elder. She was the granddaughter of  Augustus.  Gaius was the nephew of Claudius, Germanicus' younger brother.  Caligula - Source picture: Wikipedia Childhood As a child of just two or three Gaius accompanied his father, Germanicus, on campaigns in the north of Germania. The soldiers were amused that Gaius  was dressed in a miniature soldier's outfit, including boots and armour. He was soon given an affectionate  nickname, Caligula, which meant little soldier boot in Latin. Gaius disliked his nickname. After the death of his father, Caligula lived with his mother until her relations with Tiberius deteriorated. Tiberius would not allow Agrippina to remarry for fear her husband would be a rival. Agrippina and Caligula's  brother Nero, were bani

Tiberius was born in Rome on 16 November 42 BC as the son of  Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla. In 39 BC his mother divorced his biological father. His mother remarried Octavian later named Augustus.  In 29 BC, Tiberius rode in the triumphal chariot along with his adoptive father Octavian after the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra.  In 23 BC, Emperor Augustus became gravely ill and his possible death was a threat to put the Roman world into chaos again. The succession trouble was a main problem for Augustus.  Augustus selected a series of potential heirs. Among them were Tiberius and his brother Drusus. In 24 BC at the age of seventeen! Tiberius entered politics under Augustus' direction. He was granted the right to stand for election as praetor and consul - even five years in advance of the age  required by law.  Source picture: Wikipedia Career Tiberius began appearing in court as an advocate, and probably in this period, his interest in Greek rhetoric started.  Love and M

Augustus: The first Roman Emperor In this second  post about the Roman Empire series , there is a main role for Augustus.  Early Life Augustus was born in the city of Rome, very close to the Roman Forum on 23 September 63 BC.  He was named Gaius Octavius Thurinus.  Due to the crowded places in Rome during that time, Octavius was taken to his father's home at Velletri to be raised. His mother, Atia was the niece of Julius Caesar.  In 59 BC his father died, when he was just four years old. His mother remarried a former governor of Syria, Lucius Marcius Philippus. Then Octavius was raised by his grandmother, Julia, the sister of  Julius Caesar.  Julia died in 52 or 51 BC and Octavius delivered the funeral oration for his grandmother. From this point his mother and stepfather took more interest in Octavius.  In 47 BC Octavius was elected to the College of Pontiffs. A turning point When Julius Caesar was killed on the Ides of March in 44 BC, Octavius was studying and followed a military

When I was a child, I looked up to leaders and royals just as Julius Caesar,  Napoleon Bonaparte and Queen Victoria. In his writings Julius Caesar mentioned: "From all the Gauls, the Belgae (Belgians) are the bravest." Perhaps that was the main reason, I 'liked' Julius Caesar as a kid.  From Napoleon Bonaparte and Queen Victoria, I made different pages on this Allaboutroyalfamilies blog. However Julius Caesar, on his own, has never been mentioned before.  In 2017, I finally got the chance to visit Rome. Walking in such an  amazing city with lovely people, I must admit, I thought about its  history and its emperors.  Of course, I was confused that Julius Caesar never has been an Emperor nor a King, but only a Consul and later even a Dictator.  Nevertheless, I still wanted to make a blogpost about him and the other Roman Emperors.  Source picture: Wikipedia Julius Caesar - Early life Julius Caesar was born on 12 July 100 BC into a patrician family  although they weren&#

Rome and its history always have fascinated me. In 2017, I finally could visit this lovely city near the Tiber. Rome's history spans more than 28 centuries. It is the oldest occupied city in Europe. Rome became the capital of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire and it is the first ever Imperial City and metropolis.  These blog post series will focus on the history of the Roman Empire .  👉 The Roman Emperor was the ruler of the Roman Empire during the imperial period which started in 27 BC.  👉 The legitimacy of an emperor's rule depended on his control of the army and recognition by the Senate.  The first Emperor of the Roman Empire was Augustus. He refused recognition as a monarch. Augustus claimed that his power was republican.  * Who were the Emperors of Rome?  * How was the ordinary life during the Roman Empire?  * Which were the troubles of the Emperors? * More about the rise, decline and fall of the Empire.  So, welcome to this new blog series abou

One of the most beautiful churches in Rome is without no doubt the Santi Michaele e Magno in Rome. Perhaps this name doesn't say anything to you, but it is better known as the Friezen church in Dutch. Frisian Church in Rome, Italy The Church is dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel and Bishop Saint Magnus of Anagni. The Santi Michaele e Magno is located on the northern slope of Palazolo Hill in Rione Borgo near the Vatican in Rome. It is the national church dedicated to The Netherlands. Frisian Church in Rome Outside Some history From the 8th. century Frisian pilgrims regularly visited Rome. At the same time a colony of Frisians was living there. The Scola of Frisians was first mentioned by Pope Leo III's return to Rome in 799. In 845, the Frisians defended the Old St. Peter's Basilica against a Saracen invasion. Its patron was St. Michael the Archangel, who liberated Rome from the Plague and it was a favoured Saint during the Lombard

In September 2019, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a celebrity wedding in Rome, Italy. The wedding was also attended by Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie as well as Ivanka Trump and her husband. This A-lasting event took place at the Hotel De Russie in Rome. In 2017, I visited the lovely capital of Italy and I saw this amazing Hotel near the Spanish Stairs. I was immediately interested in its royal history. Some history The Hotel De Russie was designed by Roman architect Giuseppe Valadier between 1816 and 1818. The Hotel got its name from the many members of the Imperial Family of Russia who chose to stay there during their visit to Rome. During World War II the Hotel De Russie was ordered by the Military Information Services. After 1945, the Hotel was taken over by Count Romolo Vaselli. It became the head office of RAI, the Italian television channel until 1993. On 15 April 2000, the Hotel was re-opened under Sir Rocco Forte. Hotel de Russi

One of the most amazing ancient buildings in Rome, the capital of Italy, is the Pantheon. The Pantheon is an amazing building not only due to its history but also due to its architecture and due to the light effect inside. Pantheon in Rome Italy - own picture taken in 2017 Some Royal History The original Pantheon was completed during the reign of Emperor Hadrian about 126 after Christ as a Roman Temple for all godness. In 609, Byzantine Emperor Pochas gave the Pantheon to Pope Bonifacae IV. He converted it to a Christian church. During the Renaissance the Pantheon has been the burial site of many important persons such as the painter Rafael and the architect Baldassare Peruzzi. In the 17th. century, Pope Urban VIII ordered to melt down the ceilings to use it for the Castel Sant' Angelo. More about the Castel Sant' Angelo on this link .  In modern history two Kings of Italy were buried at the Pantheon: -  Victor Emmanuel II of Italy -   King Umb

On March 14th. 1844 a boy was born in Turin (Sardinia). He was called Umberto. Umberto I of Italy - Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Victor Emmanuel II and Archduchess Adelaide of Austria. Umberto's education was entrusted to some very wise men. In 1858 Umberto entered the army en he became a captain. He took part during the wars of the Italian independence and distinguished himself therefor the prince received a medal. On April 21st. 1868 Umberto married his first cousin Margherita of Savoy. They had 1 son together. On January 9th. 1878 Umberto adopted the name 'King of Italy'. He accepted the conditions of the constitution. Umberto visited often Vienna and Berlin.  On July 29th. 1900 Umberto was assassinated by Gaetano Bresci in Monza. The King was buried in the Pantheon in Rome.