Curiosities of ancient Rome (Ancient stories)

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Ancient stories are curiosities revealing lesser-known, surprising, or unusual episodes from the world of ancient Rome and antiquity. This category includes short stories about events, people, and situations that don’t always make it into classical works, yet allow for a better understanding of the realities and mentality of the era.

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).…Więcej

Beautiful ship for Verres

In Roman times, it was very expensive and a lot of effort to put up a naval fleet. If the governor of the province received an order from the senate or decided that it was…Więcej

Bravery of Cato the Younger during Spartacus uprising

An uprising of Spartacus in 73-71 BCE was a very serious threat that the Roman state had to deal with. It was then that Cato the Younger and probably Julius Caesar took their first steps…Więcej

Terror and retirement of Lucius Cornelius Sulla

Lucius Cornelius Sulla (138-78 BCE) became famous as the first Roman politician who gained unlimited power in practice. After winning the civil war in 82 BCE he appointed himself a dictator without a time frame.…Więcej

Stingy Vespasian

Emperor Vespasian was extremely stingy. This feature may seem bizarre and preposterous, considering that during his reign, construction began on the largest and certainly the most expensive public structure – Colosseum. Vespasian was once criticized…Więcej

Slave revolt led by Titus Vettius

Slave revolts in ancient Rome were not uncommon. However, a more interesting event is certainly the slave uprising in Campania in 104 BCE, which was started by a Roman citizen and equestrian – a certain…Więcej

Shameful final years of Gaius Marius’ life

The first century BCE was an extremely turbulent period in the history of ancient Rome. During this time, there were struggles for power and influence between the populares and the optimates. The main enemies were…Więcej

First proscription letters

Lucius Cornelius Sulla is the first Roman citizen who, after the fall of the monarchy, practically took over full power in the Roman state. His rivalry with the populares led by Marius and Cynna led…Więcej

Gaius Furius Cresimus – example of hardworking Roman citizen

According to Pliny the Elder, already in ancient times jealousy and disbelief towards other people were visible if they achieved great success. A great example is Gaius Furius Cresimus – a farmer from Italy. Gaius…Więcej

“Cheap as Sardinians”

After Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, consul for 238 BCE, commanded the Roman army in the fights with the Gauls, and Iberians, and then pacified Sardinia, a huge number of slaves began to flow to Rome. The…Więcej

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