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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.

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.

Emperor Nero, Abraham Janssens

Vespasian – miracle worker

Roman sources describe the story that Vespasian was asked for help by two men shortly after assuming the imperial office: one blind, the other lame. This event was supposed to take place in Alexandria between 69-70 CE.

Vespasian

Duel to end the war?

In the years 421-422, the Eastern Roman Empire waged another war with the Sassanid State. The troops, led by magister militum per orientem Ardabur, entered Persian Mesopotamia but were quickly driven back by superior Persian forces.

Photo showing a Parthian cataphract from the 2nd century CE and Armenian from the 3rd century CE

Fimbrian legions

In 67 BCE Lucius Licinius Lucullus was recalled to Rome, and Pompey the Great became the commander of the Roman armies fighting in the east. Lucullus was disliked by the soldiers for being stingy and for limiting their ability to plunder. Most of all, however, he was hated by the Fimbrian legionnaires – veterans with more than 20 years of service behind them.

Roman legionary from the 1st century BCE

Ironic Vespasian

According to Suetonius, Vespasian was extremely ironic about the practice of deifying the rulers of Rome. Supposedly, sensing the approaching death, he was to say: “I think I’m becoming a god” (vae, puto, deus fio).

Vespasian

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