Curiosities of ancient Rome (Ancient stories)
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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. Geta’s biography
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. Normally, the games are held at different times, ... Read more
Burning mountains of Pliny
I really enjoy reading “Natural History” by Gaius Pliny, an extraordinary Roman with versatile interests and many talents, who lived under the reign of the most famous emperors: Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Vespasian and Titus. “Natural History” is a fascinating ... Read more
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. The emperor decided ... Read more
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. Roman forces dug in ... Read more
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 ... Read more
Caligula in arena
Emperor Caligula (reigned 37-41 CE) went down in history as one of the worst rulers of the Roman Empire. Many stories about him arose in the works of writers who came from senatorial circles. Among other things, Suetonius describes that ... Read more
Octavian hated flattery
Emperor Octavian Augustus hated flattery – when one day during the show, the artist addressed him with the words “O just and gracious Lord!” Augustus rebuked him for this in a public proclamation. He even forbade his children and grandchildren to refer ... Read more
Caligula’s dishonest bid
Caligula (reigned 37-41 CE) went down in history as one of the most unbalanced Roman emperors. During his rule, the emperor tried to obtain as much wealth as possible, including through auction. According to Suetonius, during one of the auctions ... Read more
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). In turn, when he was ... Read more
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