June 3

in History

Nepotianus Seizes Rome — A pretender leads gladiators to the throne

Rome, Roman EmpireClassical

350

Nepotianus Seizes Rome

A pretender leads gladiators to the throne

In a scene that seemed to belong to an earlier, wilder age of Roman history, Nepotianus -- a minor member of the Constantinian dynasty -- proclaimed himself emperor and entered Rome at the head of a band of gladiators. His audacious coup seized the Eternal City but could not hold it; within a month, forces loyal to the usurper Magnentius defeated and killed him. Nepotianus's brief reign was a reminder that in the dying days of the Roman Empire, anyone with enough swords could reach for the purple.

350 AD

Leo Picard Was Born — A geologist who unlocked the desert's secrets

GermanyEarly 20th Century

1900

Leo Picard Was Born

A geologist who unlocked the desert's secrets

In Germany, Leo Picard was born -- the geologist who would emigrate to Palestine and become Israel's foremost expert on hydrogeology, the science of underground water. In a region where water is the most precious resource, Picard's work mapping aquifers and understanding the geological structure of the land was of incalculable practical importance. His research helped transform arid desert into productive farmland and shaped Israel's water management strategies for generations.

1900 AD

Early 20th Century

1950

Maurice Herzog

Herzog and Lachenal of the French Annapurna expedition become the first climbers to reach the summit of an 8,000-metre peak.

1950 AD