The Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Ancient Port of Alexandria

Alexandria, Egypt was founded by Alexander the Great in April 331 BC ,and became the capital of the Graeco-Egyptian world. The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria also was called "The Pearl of the Mediterranean". The ancient port city was home for one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - The Pharos of Alexandria (The Lighthouse of Alexandria).

The port served as a primary center for commerce and trade linking Europe with the Middle East and all other points along the Mediterranean Sea. It was an important route for merchants and travelers of ancient times that allowed for trade and cultural exchange between emergent peoples of the region. Within a few generations Alexandria become the largest city in the world second only to Rome. Much of the city design and construction came under the rule of Ptolemy and his successors, later by the Roman Empire. The city was not only a center for trade but also became the worlds first center for cultural and scientific research. The Musaeum at Alexandria (Museum of Alexander) also known as the Library of Alexandria become an important world center for Greek music, poetry, a philosophical school and library. The famous institution brought together some of the best scholars of the Hellenistic world paving the way for advancing the study of mathematics, astrology, anatomy to name a few.

Alexandria also served as the setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The city remained an important trading port until a series of earthquakes and tidal waves pushed the city into decline. By the time Napoleon landed he found a sparsely populated fishing village.

I've worked on recreating ancient Alexandria for about 3 years, off and on. My work is depicts the ancient city and port of Alexandria as it would have looked like based on the latest theories of underwater archaeologist Franck Goddio.

House of the Vine - Virtual Roman Home

Salve! Welcome to my domus! Please feel free to roam around as there are many things to see. A Roman home typical of those found in Pompeii and Rome over 2000 years ago... This is the House of Decimus, also known as the House of the Vine.

As you enter my home you first arrive in the Atrium, a large room connecting to all other parts of the domus. Turn off to the left to enter one of many bedrooms called a Cubiculum. Notice the painted walls and mosaic floors. Again in the Atrium you find the Lararium, an alter to the Familiares The protective spirits of the household. The next room you enter is the Tablinum Directly behind the atrium. In this room the master of the house, the paterfamilias, would greet his many clients on their morning visits. The Tablinum served as an office or study for the head of the household. Just outside is the private garden and space that connects to all other parts of the domus, called the Peristylium. Off to the right is the Triclinium. The triclinium was the Roman dining room. Down the hall the kitchen, called the Culina. Next to the Culina is the service quarters or slave quarters. Here you shall find the slave quarters, and other utility rooms needed to run the Domus.

This video is a low resolution pre-production edition.


Hadrian's Wall - NewCastle Roman Fort


This is a 3D reconstruction of the Roman Fort built along Hadrians Wall located at NewCastle UK also known as the Pons Aelius . This reconstruction also includes the first crossing point of the River Tyne, at Newcastle. The bridge was built by the romans and named the Pons Aelius after the emperor Hadrian, `the Bridge of Hadrian'. Over time the fort itself also became to be know as Pons Aelius. Situated on a hill the fort was originally built of earth and wood but later rebuilt out of stone. The Pons Aelius was a small fort by roman standards and housed about 480 auxilary troops. It included the Praetorium and Principia (Headquarters and Commander's residence), barracks, granaries, latrine and workshops.

The Roman bridge and fort at Newcastle formed the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall but later the wall was extended three miles further to the east where a fort called Segedunum was built at what is now know as Wallsend. Hadrian's Wall ran to the north of the fort and was not known to be connected to the fort. In the early fifth century the Cohors I Cornoviorum was stationed at Pons Aelius. Soldiers in this unit came from the Cornovii tribe who lived in the area around modern Cheshire. There are very little remains of the fort today. What you see now is an artists reconstruction I created.

The buildings and animation I created using various software programs. Cinema 4 and Vue. This is my first true animation so if you like it let me know and I will do more! You can find more information at my website http://www.ancientvine.com

Pompeii Before and After


A short clip of my trip to Pompeii in 2010. Some of the photos I attempted to reconstruct the scene as it could have been as I see and imagine. Thanks for viewing!