Curiosities of ancient Rome (Ancient stories)

A hill on which, according to tradition Romulus founded in 753 BCE Rome was a Palatine (Mons Palatinus). Livius derives its name from the Arcadian city of Pallanteum, from which Euander came – the first ruler of this area, who also established the Greek cult of Heracles in Italy. Why exactly the Palatine?

In the years 215-216, Emperor Caracalla travelled through the Balkans, Turkey, and Syria to Egypt and Alexandria. The very expedition of Caracalla to the east was primarily of propaganda and sentimental nature, due to the adoration of the figure of Alexander the Great. It is also possible that the ruler’s entourage was making preparations for the planned Party expedition in the coming years.

Tacitus tells us that in 21 CE, during the reign of Emperor Tiberius, the poet Clutorius Priscus was accused in the senate. He was accused of having composed a mourning song (carmen) during the illness of the emperor’s son, Drusus the Younger, in which he mourned the expected death of the man.

Emperor Caligula (ruled CE 37-41) made history primarily as an orgy lover. However, he had other interests as well, such as bathing in piles of gold coins – as Suetonius told us.

Emperor Domitian, despite his initially peaceful rule, became very suspicious over time. He was almost always accompanied by a guard. He covered the walls of his palace with shiny stone (the so-called fengit) so that he could see what was happening behind his back thanks to the gloss.

According to the message of Plutarch, Pyrrhus, during his return with his army from Sicily to Italy, had to deal with the Mamertine troops, which attacked him fiercely. It is said that Pyrrhus, as was his habit, actively participated in the fighting. Unfortunately, however, he received a blow to the head and had to withdraw from the battlefield. Then one of the mighty Mamertine warriors began to mock the king of Epirus, thus provoking him to a duel.

Emperor Elagabalus made exceptional jokes to his friends. He locked drunk people in one room with lions, leopards or bears, from which he previously removed fangs and claws (the so-called exarmati).

Once upon a time, an envoy from Laodicea came to Rome. He was to ask Julius Caesar himself for freedom for his country. Before that, however, he met Cicero. He was supposed to say to him:

The wife of Octavian Augustus – Livia – took great care of her body, caring for both its beauty and health. She reportedly had a large number of hairdressers, masseuses, dressmakers, and jewellers among her servants.