Gareth Harney

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@OptimoPrincipi

Historian and author celebrating the endless wonders of the classical world. My book 'Moneta: A History of Ancient Rome in Twelve Coins' is OUT NOW.

Swindon, Wiltshire linktr.ee/garethharneyco… Joined August 2010

713 Following 142K Followers 53K Posts

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Gareth Harney @OptimoPrincipi Jun 5, 2025

Moneta is out today in paperback!

"Riveting ... An utterly original history of Rome that compels from start to finish. A wonderful read." ― Mail on Sunday

"An excellent 1,000 year history of Rome told in an engaging new way ... well worth a few denarii." ― The Times

Gareth Harney @OptimoPrincipi 1d

In 1918, shortly before his own death, Wilfred Owen distilled the entire absurdity of war into this devastating short poem.

‘The Last Laugh’, performed by Sean Bean.

1:11

Gareth Harney @OptimoPrincipi 1d

The greatest movie never made. ⚔️

‘I wasn’t the best because I killed quickly. I was the best because the crowd loved me. Win the crowd and you will win your freedom.’

- Proximo (Gladiator, 2000)

Gareth Harney @OptimoPrincipi 3d

‘Egypt and Rome: The Faces of Fayum’: a major new exhibition brings together fifty Fayum funerary portraits and many other related artworks from Roman Egypt. The Faces of Fayum opens at the Ara Pacis Museum on 5 Nov 2026 and runs until 2 May 2027.

Gareth Harney @OptimoPrincipi Oct 29

Patrick Stewart playing Sejanus in the 1976 BBC production of ‘I, Claudius’. ⚔️