Curiosities of ancient Rome (Ancient stories)
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Breeding of muraenidae
Pliny the Elder, a Roman historian and writer, remembers that the Romans valued the taste of meat very much. In addition, even the richer Romans created their own muraenidae farms in the estate to have access to fresh fish. During ... Read more
Caligula was to commission construction of giant bridge in Bay of Naples
According to Suetonius, Emperor Caligula was supposedly commissioned to build a temporary bridge connecting the banks of the Bay of Naples. Great construction was to be created only so that Caligula could triumphantly cross the bridge. This is how Suetonius ... Read more
Lucius Junius Brutus and his two sons
After the overthrow the last king of Rome in 509 BCE – Tarquinius Superbus, the first consuls were chosen by Lucius Junius Brutus, leader of the uprising against Tarquinius and Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus, who mourned after the suicidal death of ... Read more
Probus’ Games
Emperor Probus around 280 CE was supposedly told to transform the Circus Maximus arena into a forest to which hundreds, if not thousands, of animals were released: capricorn, sheep, ostrich and others. As soon as the improvised forest was filled ... Read more
Emperor Carus was struck by lightning
Emperor Carus in the summer of 283 CE, during one of the military expeditions during a strong storm, was probably struck by lightning. Roman historian Sextus Aurelius Viktor mentions this in the Epitome de Caesaribus. However, there are different versions ... Read more
Blood gladiator miracle cure
It was believed that the gladiator’s blood could heal epilepsy or infertility. The blood was collected and sold to the crowd. When the body of the death gladiator was taken out of the arena, the “sellers” collected still warm blood ... Read more
Story about Roman ghosts
The most famous story about the ghosts in which the ancient Romans appear. It relates to the event of February 1953 in the city of York, England. That day, the plumber Harry Martingale installed new central heating in the basement ... Read more
Cato and annexation of Cyprus
After expelling Cicero from Rome, Clodius still had to prevent him from returning. The presence of Cato the Younger – Cicero’s ally made it very difficult to implement these plans. To get rid of him from Rome, Clodius offered him ... Read more
No pain for Marius
Roman general, Gaius Marius, was extremely resistant to suffering. He was the first to treat leg varicose veins without being tied up. The operative cutting of the first leg was tolerated without any moaning. However, when the surgeon wanted to ... Read more
Gases allowed by Claudius
Emperor Claudius once issued a feast on which one of the invited senators, not wanting to offend the ruler, withheld the gases, what led him to death. The ruler felt touched by the senator’s tragic fate. Apparently, benevolent Claudius issued ... Read more
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