https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/07/new-orleans-ancient-roman-grave-marker
Good on them for wanting to send it back
The sun never sets on the Roman Empire. This makes Louisiana the 51st province of the Roman Empire.
Ave
And now we know how it got there -
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/10/mystery-solved-roman-grave-marker-came-from-new-orleans-soldier
;D ;D ;D
This reminds me of Norman Lewis's book, "Naples '44: An Intelligence Officer in the Italian Labyrinth" (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Naples-44-Intelligence-Officer-Labyrinth/dp/0907871720/ref=sr_1_1?crid=17MNKG6MTZDMQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cW1Oi4H-2TVH8BfwDG523Sn0aO2Sd2s-yeMnjp6pwACoNnqOUDlVRhP5hYCTI_KdnF80_o4mKwNTLTxqeuPlpq9DdjxHfAH3N0Fzsb4KdW-GZW3HmSZOdsE6sArY8e9KGQikyT85xzHbw3PiwZl8DA.dJkVYeC7fqaFTBix7hfNSn2DX2hWEaEovmIt36kWCBw&dib_tag=se&keywords=naples+44&qid=1760099967&sprefix=naples%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1). At one point the local art museum was broken into and many pieces were removed by the thieves, only for them to discover that they were all fakes and forgeries - the originals having been swapped out and sold many years previously.
On another occasion, all the unit's vehicles, securely locked within the Castle's courtyard, were discovered by the light of dawn to have had all their wheels removed and spirited elsewhere.
Truly, when I asked a Sicilian for his recommendations on sights to visit around Naples, he advised me to steer clear as the place was full of thieves! By contrast, he went on, we had nothing to fear from theft in Sicily. However, he admitted that the island was somewhat over represented with murderers.
:(
I've visited Naples twice, and I have today that the locals are lovely, and always willing to help.
They have to be, because nothing seems to work...