Volubilis is a partly excavated Roman city in Morocco near Meknes. Built in a fertile agricultural area, it developed from the 3rd century BC onwards as a Phoenician/Carthaginian settlement and grew rapidly under Roman rule from the 1st century AD onwards. Public buildings included a basilica, temple and triumphal arch(pictured). Its prosperity, derived principally from olive growing, prompted the construction of many fine town-houses with large mosaic floors. The town fell to local tribesmen around 285 and was never retaken by Rome due to its remoteness. In the late 8th century it became the seat of Idris ibn Abdallah, the founder of the state of Morocco. Volubilis was abandoned by the 11th century. Its ruins remained substantially intact until an earthquake in the mid-18th century and subsequent use of the stones for building Meknes. During and after the period of French rule over Morocco, about half of the site was excavated and some of the more prominent buildings were restored or reconstructed. Today it is a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site, listed for being "an exceptionally well preserved example of a large Roman colonial town on the fringes of the Empire". (Full article...)
The Ashes series are Test cricket series played between England and Australia. They constitute one of sport's most celebrated rivalries, and are generally played biennially, alternating between the United Kingdom and Australia. Although the first Test series played between England and Australia was in the 1876–77 season, the Ashes originated from the solitary Test which the two nations contested in 1882. Famous Ashes series include the 1932–33 tour, which was known as the "Bodyline series", due to the tactic of bowling quickly at the body of the batsmen, and the 1948 series, when Australia remained unbeaten throughout the tour, gaining the nickname of "The Invincibles". In 1981, Ian Botham's all-round performances resulted in the series being nicknamed "Botham's Ashes". Australia and England have each won 31 Ashes series, but England are the current holders of the Ashes as the winners of the last three series. (Full list...)
An Italian tree frog(Hyla intermedia) with an inflated vocal sac. Vocal sacs, flexible membranes of skin possessed by most male frogs, are generally used to amplify mating or advertisement calls. However, some species in the family Rhinodermatidae may also use the sac to store or transport their tadpoles.
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