🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️
@benpaites.bsky.social
Senior Curator at Colchester Museums. Mainly Roman archaeology and LGBTQ+ history. Also cat dad to Artemis and enthusiastic Gaymer. He/Him
Author of 50 LGBTQ+ Finds: https://www.amberley-books.com/50-lgbtq-finds.html
Website: https://www.ben-paites.com
Author of 50 LGBTQ+ Finds: https://www.amberley-books.com/50-lgbtq-finds.html
Website: https://www.ben-paites.com
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🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️
@benpaites.bsky.social
· Apr 15
Today is the day! My book is finally available to buy. After years of work, I’m so excited to finally share it with the world! But this isn’t the end. I will be promoting the book across the country over the next year, so stay tuned for more info.
#BookLaunch
#BookLaunch
Reposted by 🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️
Never forget that the witch persecutions of the 1500s and 1600s were a cover for several much more pervasive forms of hate that continue to this very day.
-Misogyny
-Ableism
-Antisemitism
-homophobia
-Anti-Catholicism
Image: Witches at Sabbath, from “The history of witches and wizards”, 1720.
-Misogyny
-Ableism
-Antisemitism
-homophobia
-Anti-Catholicism
Image: Witches at Sabbath, from “The history of witches and wizards”, 1720.
November 16, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Never forget that the witch persecutions of the 1500s and 1600s were a cover for several much more pervasive forms of hate that continue to this very day.
-Misogyny
-Ableism
-Antisemitism
-homophobia
-Anti-Catholicism
Image: Witches at Sabbath, from “The history of witches and wizards”, 1720.
-Misogyny
-Ableism
-Antisemitism
-homophobia
-Anti-Catholicism
Image: Witches at Sabbath, from “The history of witches and wizards”, 1720.
Never forget that the witch persecutions of the 1500s and 1600s were a cover for several much more pervasive forms of hate that continue to this very day.
-Misogyny
-Ableism
-Antisemitism
-homophobia
-Anti-Catholicism
Image: Witches at Sabbath, from “The history of witches and wizards”, 1720.
-Misogyny
-Ableism
-Antisemitism
-homophobia
-Anti-Catholicism
Image: Witches at Sabbath, from “The history of witches and wizards”, 1720.
November 16, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Never forget that the witch persecutions of the 1500s and 1600s were a cover for several much more pervasive forms of hate that continue to this very day.
-Misogyny
-Ableism
-Antisemitism
-homophobia
-Anti-Catholicism
Image: Witches at Sabbath, from “The history of witches and wizards”, 1720.
-Misogyny
-Ableism
-Antisemitism
-homophobia
-Anti-Catholicism
Image: Witches at Sabbath, from “The history of witches and wizards”, 1720.
Reposted by 🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️
Found this supposedly Bronze Age spear in the stores today, seemingly with parts of the wooden shaft in it. I’m slightly sceptical on the date given how poorly wood survives in the ground, but isn’t it cool!
November 14, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Found this supposedly Bronze Age spear in the stores today, seemingly with parts of the wooden shaft in it. I’m slightly sceptical on the date given how poorly wood survives in the ground, but isn’t it cool!
Found this supposedly Bronze Age spear in the stores today, seemingly with parts of the wooden shaft in it. I’m slightly sceptical on the date given how poorly wood survives in the ground, but isn’t it cool!
November 14, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Found this supposedly Bronze Age spear in the stores today, seemingly with parts of the wooden shaft in it. I’m slightly sceptical on the date given how poorly wood survives in the ground, but isn’t it cool!
This coming days after the announcement of the new Mummy movie… 👀 www.egyptindependent.com/egypt-to-ann...
Egypt to announce archaeological surprise in 2026 that will 'rewrite history': Zahi Hawass - Egypt Independent
Renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass claimed that a new archaeological discovery inside the Great Pyramid of Giza “will rewrite history” and will be announced to the world in 2026, RT reported on Saturda...
www.egyptindependent.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:49 PM
This coming days after the announcement of the new Mummy movie… 👀 www.egyptindependent.com/egypt-to-ann...
Reposted by 🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️
Watching the embers fly from the bonfire @foodmuseumuk.bsky.social at the weekend made me think about the stories of fire sprites and imps that are found throughout the world in folklore. Was it these dancing, flickering lights that people once thought were mischeivous spirits?
November 10, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Watching the embers fly from the bonfire @foodmuseumuk.bsky.social at the weekend made me think about the stories of fire sprites and imps that are found throughout the world in folklore. Was it these dancing, flickering lights that people once thought were mischeivous spirits?
Saw this on FB, not sure the original source (Reddit somewhere?), and thought of @oldenoughtosay.com. Apologies if you’ve seen this before (a thousand times).
November 10, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Saw this on FB, not sure the original source (Reddit somewhere?), and thought of @oldenoughtosay.com. Apologies if you’ve seen this before (a thousand times).
Looks like I need to head back to Greece next year 👀 greekreporter.com/2025/11/10/a...
Ancient Trireme to Be Displayed in New Greek Museum - GreekReporter.com
A replica of an ancient trireme will be the centerpiece of Greece's new Underwater Archaeology Museum, set to open its gates in 2026.
greekreporter.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Looks like I need to head back to Greece next year 👀 greekreporter.com/2025/11/10/a...
Watching the embers fly from the bonfire @foodmuseumuk.bsky.social at the weekend made me think about the stories of fire sprites and imps that are found throughout the world in folklore. Was it these dancing, flickering lights that people once thought were mischeivous spirits?
November 10, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Watching the embers fly from the bonfire @foodmuseumuk.bsky.social at the weekend made me think about the stories of fire sprites and imps that are found throughout the world in folklore. Was it these dancing, flickering lights that people once thought were mischeivous spirits?
At Colchester Castle, there’s a temporary display about the origins of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance and the incredible work of Anna Guérin who started it all. #LestWeForget
November 9, 2025 at 2:02 PM
At Colchester Castle, there’s a temporary display about the origins of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance and the incredible work of Anna Guérin who started it all. #LestWeForget
Reposted by 🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️
Cosy season sorted. From apple-scented candles and a book of witchy cocktails to warm socks, a very friendly dragon, or history mugs, the Castle gift shop is full of little comforts for dark evenings.
Find something special this November. We’re open daily 10–5. What would you take home?
Find something special this November. We’re open daily 10–5. What would you take home?
November 8, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Cosy season sorted. From apple-scented candles and a book of witchy cocktails to warm socks, a very friendly dragon, or history mugs, the Castle gift shop is full of little comforts for dark evenings.
Find something special this November. We’re open daily 10–5. What would you take home?
Find something special this November. We’re open daily 10–5. What would you take home?
10 more seconds of fame last night on BBC Look East. Before you ask for what crime, I was asked to comment on the Roman burials found in Chelmsford.
November 7, 2025 at 6:46 PM
10 more seconds of fame last night on BBC Look East. Before you ask for what crime, I was asked to comment on the Roman burials found in Chelmsford.
Reposted by 🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️
A wonderful selection of ancient Roman finds from the city of Colchester in Essex, known in ancient times as Camulodunum, including jewellery, coin hoards, pottery and fresco fragments. Now on display at Colchester Castle. @colmuseums.bsky.social #FindsFriday
November 7, 2025 at 8:25 AM
A wonderful selection of ancient Roman finds from the city of Colchester in Essex, known in ancient times as Camulodunum, including jewellery, coin hoards, pottery and fresco fragments. Now on display at Colchester Castle. @colmuseums.bsky.social #FindsFriday
Ricardus III has been found!
Three Roman skeletons found buried under car park in Chelmsford
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Three Roman skeletons found buried under car park in Chelmsford
Passerby James Gardner says he was "surprised" to have seen a skull underneath a car park he uses.
www.bbc.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Ricardus III has been found!
As spooky season lingers on, I’m thinking about the concept of Memento Mori (remember you will die). This ring has an incredible skeleton design on the outside, as a reminder to both the wearer and observer. Inside is an inscription for a departed loved one.
cim-web.adlibhosting.com/ais6/Details...
cim-web.adlibhosting.com/ais6/Details...
November 6, 2025 at 8:17 AM
As spooky season lingers on, I’m thinking about the concept of Memento Mori (remember you will die). This ring has an incredible skeleton design on the outside, as a reminder to both the wearer and observer. Inside is an inscription for a departed loved one.
cim-web.adlibhosting.com/ais6/Details...
cim-web.adlibhosting.com/ais6/Details...
Reposted by 🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️
Hey Listen!
This December I'm running a videogame themed tour of the British Museum.
Join me for a whistlestop tour of some of the real stories behind your favourite videogames and see some of the incredible artefacts that inspired them!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-videog...
This December I'm running a videogame themed tour of the British Museum.
Join me for a whistlestop tour of some of the real stories behind your favourite videogames and see some of the incredible artefacts that inspired them!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-videog...
The Videogame Tour of The British Museum
This tour of the British Museum by writer and historian Sacha Coward will explore the ancient history behind your favourite videogames!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Hey Listen!
This December I'm running a videogame themed tour of the British Museum.
Join me for a whistlestop tour of some of the real stories behind your favourite videogames and see some of the incredible artefacts that inspired them!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-videog...
This December I'm running a videogame themed tour of the British Museum.
Join me for a whistlestop tour of some of the real stories behind your favourite videogames and see some of the incredible artefacts that inspired them!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-videog...
As it’s spooky season (Hallowe’en has gone and I can’t let go) here’s a throwback to Wicked Spirits, an exhibition I put together with the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic.
Essex had the highest rates of women executed for witchcraft throughout the 1500s and 1600s.
Essex had the highest rates of women executed for witchcraft throughout the 1500s and 1600s.
November 3, 2025 at 8:36 AM
As it’s spooky season (Hallowe’en has gone and I can’t let go) here’s a throwback to Wicked Spirits, an exhibition I put together with the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic.
Essex had the highest rates of women executed for witchcraft throughout the 1500s and 1600s.
Essex had the highest rates of women executed for witchcraft throughout the 1500s and 1600s.
Happy Hallowe’en from the 人魚 (Ningyo) in the Mythical Creatures exhibition at Colchester Castle. Sculptures like these once decorated shrines in Japan and were traded with European merchants, who passed them off as “real” mermaids.
On loan from Brighton and Hove museums.
On loan from Brighton and Hove museums.
October 31, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Happy Hallowe’en from the 人魚 (Ningyo) in the Mythical Creatures exhibition at Colchester Castle. Sculptures like these once decorated shrines in Japan and were traded with European merchants, who passed them off as “real” mermaids.
On loan from Brighton and Hove museums.
On loan from Brighton and Hove museums.
They got me on ITV too…
ICYMI: Our curator Ben Paites spoke to ITV News about Matthew Hopkins, the so‑called Witchfinder General, and the East Anglian trials.
From Manningtree and Elizabeth Clarke to the cells beneath Colchester Castle. Watch: www.itv.com/watch/news/w...
From Manningtree and Elizabeth Clarke to the cells beneath Colchester Castle. Watch: www.itv.com/watch/news/w...
www.itv.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:15 PM
They got me on ITV too…
Reposted by 🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️
ICYMI: Our curator Ben Paites spoke to ITV News about Matthew Hopkins, the so‑called Witchfinder General, and the East Anglian trials.
From Manningtree and Elizabeth Clarke to the cells beneath Colchester Castle. Watch: www.itv.com/watch/news/w...
From Manningtree and Elizabeth Clarke to the cells beneath Colchester Castle. Watch: www.itv.com/watch/news/w...
www.itv.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
ICYMI: Our curator Ben Paites spoke to ITV News about Matthew Hopkins, the so‑called Witchfinder General, and the East Anglian trials.
From Manningtree and Elizabeth Clarke to the cells beneath Colchester Castle. Watch: www.itv.com/watch/news/w...
From Manningtree and Elizabeth Clarke to the cells beneath Colchester Castle. Watch: www.itv.com/watch/news/w...
Reposted by 🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️
I found the gaol cells in Colchester Castle deeply moving. With the excellent @benpaites.bsky.social as our guide, it’s impossible not to think of the hours, days, weeks of misery spent in that place.
Tonight at 9pm on Sky History is the final episode of Witches of Essex. I show @profaliceroberts.bsky.social and Rylan Colchester Castle’s surviving Gaol cells as they explore the horrific case of the Manningtree witch trials.
Also available to stream on Now TV and Apple TV.
Also available to stream on Now TV and Apple TV.
October 28, 2025 at 9:25 PM
I found the gaol cells in Colchester Castle deeply moving. With the excellent @benpaites.bsky.social as our guide, it’s impossible not to think of the hours, days, weeks of misery spent in that place.
Tonight at 9pm on Sky History is the final episode of Witches of Essex. I show @profaliceroberts.bsky.social and Rylan Colchester Castle’s surviving Gaol cells as they explore the horrific case of the Manningtree witch trials.
Also available to stream on Now TV and Apple TV.
Also available to stream on Now TV and Apple TV.
October 28, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Tonight at 9pm on Sky History is the final episode of Witches of Essex. I show @profaliceroberts.bsky.social and Rylan Colchester Castle’s surviving Gaol cells as they explore the horrific case of the Manningtree witch trials.
Also available to stream on Now TV and Apple TV.
Also available to stream on Now TV and Apple TV.
My beautiful 17 year-old girl Artemis says happy spooky season on #NationalBlackCatDay
October 27, 2025 at 7:10 PM
My beautiful 17 year-old girl Artemis says happy spooky season on #NationalBlackCatDay
Today marks the end of Maple Hazel season at Costa. 😭
a man sits on a swing in a park with red leaves
Alt: A man sits on a swing in a park with autumnal leaves on the trees and floor.
media.tenor.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Today marks the end of Maple Hazel season at Costa. 😭
Reposted by 🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️
Publication day! “What’s in a name? Cocidius and the Epigraphy of Local Deities in the Roman Empire” now out in Religion in the Roman Empire special issue edited by @ericorlin.bsky.social doi.org/10.1628/rre-... 🥰
This is my first really meaty article to drop post-pandemic and motherhood…🧵🏺
This is my first really meaty article to drop post-pandemic and motherhood…🧵🏺
October 23, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Publication day! “What’s in a name? Cocidius and the Epigraphy of Local Deities in the Roman Empire” now out in Religion in the Roman Empire special issue edited by @ericorlin.bsky.social doi.org/10.1628/rre-... 🥰
This is my first really meaty article to drop post-pandemic and motherhood…🧵🏺
This is my first really meaty article to drop post-pandemic and motherhood…🧵🏺