Curiosities of ancient Rome (Ancient stories)
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Martina – witch and poisoner
Without a doubt, the most notorious Roman poisoner was Lucusta, who operated at Nero’s court. However, she was not the only woman to engage in this dark occupation (or at least to be suspected of it). The eastern part of ... Read more
Regulus and battle with beast in Africa
During the First Punic War (264-241 BCE), the Roman commander Marcus Atilius Regulus was said to have fought – according to Pliny the Elder – an extraordinary battle not with the Carthaginians, but with a giant serpent (this is suggested ... Read more
Milo of Croton – ancient sports star
One of the most famous athletes of the ancient world was Milo of Croton. He was a Greek, and his fame even reached Rome and survived for centuries. Milo was a legendary wrestler who lived in the 6th century BCE ... Read more
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? Celebrated on December 31 at the end of the year, it takes its ... Read more
“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 ... Read more
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. A legend repeated in ancient Rome said ... Read more
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, ... Read more
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”. An exhausted person, according ... Read more
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 ... Read more
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. The Roman historian – Cassius Dio mentions that the emperor shot the ostrich heads with ... Read more
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