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The world of ancient Romans abounded in a number of amazing curiosities and information. The source of knowledge about the life of the Romans are mainly works left to us by ancient writers or discoveries. The Romans left behind a lot of strange information and facts that are sometimes hard to believe.
Roman bust showing a man, probably Claudius Marcellus (no information on which one). The object dates back to the mid-1st century CE. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
Roman fresco showing the carcasses of animals: a chicken, a hare and a partridge. The object was discovered in Herculaneum. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
Engraved portrait of a Roman man (possibly Caracalla) on sapphire. The object dates back to the 3rd century CE. The artifact is located in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore (USA).
Made of granite, a Roman sculpture of a panther. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
Ancient times were cruel. The stories recorded in Greek and Roman myths echo the helplessness of people in the face of their surroundings, and the fear of the judgments of the gods symbolizes human weakness in the face of powerful but incomprehensible forces of nature and blind fate. He tests everyone – the rich and the poor, the honest and the deceitful, the virtuous and the dissolute, the humble and the proud. From here it is only a step to the feeling of lack of any agency and simple submission to fate. Especially when the gods put people in an impossible situation…
Unfinished Roman sculpture from the 2nd century CE. The object depicts a naked male figure. For unknown reasons, the sculptor did not finish his work. The artifact was discovered in Veria, Macedonia.
Roman sculpture showing Apollo seated with a lyre. The object was made of porphyry. Dated to the 2nd century CE. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
Roman coin showing a citizen casting a vote in an election. The denarius is dated to 60 BCE. According to lex gabinia tablaria, established in 139 BCE, citizens voted using tablets that were placed in ballot boxes.
Cameo showing Hercules fighting the Lion of Nemea. His skin was so hard that no blade could pierce him and he could only be killed by suffocation. According to mythology, killing a lion and bringing its skin was the first of Hercules’ twelve labors. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
Roman fresco showing the mask of Zeus Ammon, a Greco-Egyptian deity combining the features of the Egyptian god Amun and the Greek Zeus. His image was often depicted with ram’s horns. The object was discovered in Stabiae in Ariadne’s villa. Dated to the 1st century CE. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
