Legend of Silvester
Certainly many of us celebrate the last day of the year, called New Year’s Eve. But how many people know exactly where this name actually comes from?
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Curiosities of ancient Rome (Ancient stories)
The world of ancient Romans abounded in a number of amazing curiosities and information. The source of knowledge about the life of the Romans are mainly works left to us by ancient writers or discoveries. The Romans left behind a lot of strange information and facts that are sometimes hard to believe.
“How did you become Agrippa?”
It is true that every new monarch ascending the throne must take into account the danger of a potential attack on his life. As history shows, there has never been a shortage of people who were able to raise a hand against their own ruler. These cruel practices were already known in antiquity, and Roman emperors often had to face attacks on their own lives. Octavian Augustus himself, generally considered a rather good ruler, did not avoid conspiracies and attacks aimed at taking his life or power.
Empress Livia’s white hens
Ad Gallinas Albas: Few people know this name today, but two thousand years ago things were different. Known under it was a town nowadays called Prima Porta – near Rome, on Via Flaminia.
Caligula and slaughter on Palatine Hill
The circumstances of the death of the third emperor of Rome are seemingly clear. Caligula was assassinated on January 24, 41, after reigning for less than four years. The very fact of the murder of the emperor is beyond doubt, although some details remain obscure.
Augustus’ phrases
Octavian Augustus used some characteristic phrases: instead of “stupid”, he used “dumb”; to describe the speed of acting, he used the phrase “faster than asparagus cooks”; instead of saying “crazy”, he used “mad in the head”.
Domitian’s fark feast
Emperor Domitian was extremely suspicious towards the end of his reign and sensed conspiracies everywhere. He was also reluctant to refer to senators. According to Cassius Dio, once the ruler invited a group of influential senators to dinner at his residence. The drawing room where the feast was to take place was painted entirely black.
Commodus did not like senators
Emperor Commodus never was fond of the senatorial order, leading to the conviction of many senators. At certain games, he tried to prove his marksmanship.
Geta liked to eat well
Geta, co-reigning with her brother Caracalla, since the death of father Septimius Severus in 211 CE, as a Roman emperor, reportedly requested that his cooks prepare dishes beginning with the same letter for dinner.
Nero loved to perform at Games
In 64 CE Emperor Nero went to Greece for a year and a half, where, according to various rumours, earned over 1,800 victories wreaths as a charioteer, lute player, singer and actor.
