Anomalies in nature

Ancient Romans were often interested in anomalies in nature. Therefore, Octavian Augustus (63 BCE – 14 CE) received an armless person from India – a boy 60 cm tall. Such persons were held for entertainment (they were also shown in public).

In Rome there was even a market where you could buy, for example: “a child with a dog’s head” or a “monkey” (which means a child with some physical defect).

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Gallic Wars Augustus Tiberius Conquest of Italy by Rome Second Punic War