Curiosities of ancient Rome (Ancient stories)
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Terrible death of Crassus
Marcus Licinius Crassus (114-53 BCE) was killed shortly after the battle of Carrhae (53 BCE) by the Parthians who, according to Roman tradition, poured liquid gold into his throat. Mocking the rich man, he was asked how he liked it. ... Read more
Extremely raw Galba
Galba (3 BCE – 69 CE) became famous as one of the “four emperors of 69 CE” who assumed power in Rome after his death Nero. For the first half of Nero’s reign, he retired until 61 CE. Later, the ... Read more
Decency according to Valerius Maximus
In the work Factorum et dictorum memorabilium libri novem by Valerius Maximus, we can see the characters and behaviours that the author distinguished in the context of decency and dignified life. An example is Pompey the Great, who, after defeating ... Read more
Caesar and Brutus family
Gaius Julius Caesar was a famous lover and seducer of Roman women of high society. One of the Roman women he seduced was the mother of Marcus Brutus – Servilla. In the course of his second consulate, he allegedly bought ... Read more
Mago’s mission to Carthage with request for support for Hannibal
Despite the great victory of at Cannae in 216 BCE, Hannibal still needed both material and military support to defeat the Romans. To this end, Hannibal, before the battle, sent his younger brother Magon to Carthage to negotiate additional troops ... Read more
Augustus and eques
As per the ancient sources, Emperor Octavian Augustus one day noticed a member of equites who was eating during the games. He was to say: “If I want to dine, I go home”. The latter was to answer him in the ... Read more
Brave Pompey the Great
Pompey the Great was famous for his courage and bravery. In 58 BCE he assumed the position of praefectus annonae, who oversaw grain deliveries to Rome. It was a unique position that the edile normally covered under its authority during ... Read more
Double of Augustus
One day a man very similar to Octavian Augustus was to come to Rome. He ordered him to be brought and asked: “Was your mother ever in Rome?”. The young man was supposed to answer in the following way. “No. ... Read more
Titus and petitioners
Emperor Titus (39-81 CE) ensured that none of his petitioners was left without an answer. Once, when he was accused of promising more than he could fulfil, he replied: “It is not right for anyone to go away sorrowful from ... Read more
Forgiving Octavian Augustus
It is said that one time Octavian Augustus removed an official from his position. He asked him for a financial donation, justifying it as follows: “My point is that it would seem that I voluntarily resigned from office and received ... Read more
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