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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 herma showing a young woman named Statia Quinta. The inscription on the statue gives her name along with the letters L.L., which researchers translate as Lucia Liberta, meaning “freedwoman of Lucius”. The object was found on the northern shore of Lake Nemi (central Italy) in Diana’s sanctuary in 1887.
On Roman walls, there were often inscriptions, which often did not differ from ours. Here are some examples.
Roman tombstone of Marcus Valerius Celerinus, Roman soldier of the Legio X Gemina Pia Fidelis. The tombstone was commissioned by his wife, Marcia Procula. Celerinus was originally from southern Spain, however a tombstone was discovered in Cologne, Germany, suggesting that he settled there after his retirement. Currently, the object is located in the Romisch-Germanisches Museum.
Roman coin was minted in honour of Octavian Augustus’ victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra in the battle of Actium in 31 BCE. Octavian and his friend and commander Marcus Agrippa are depicted on the obverse. On the reverse, there is a crocodile pinned to a palm branch, which symbolizes the joining of Egypt with Rome.
Roman wall fresco depicting Silenus, the god of nature, watching Amor and Pan fighting each other. The struggle itself is interpreted as a rivalry between love and desire. The object adorned the walls of the Meleager House in Pompeii. Currently, the artefact is in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. Fresco is dated to the 1st century CE.
In ancient Rome, students learned the multiplication table by repeating after the teacher the words: bis bina quattuor – decantare, which means “two times two, four – speak”.
Roman mosaic showing a man who was probably the guardian of a lion. The mosaic adorned a Roman villa in Nennig, in southwest Germany.
The only bucket made of wood that has survived from Roman times. The characteristic spout allowed the liquid to be poured out easily. The object was aboard a river ship sunk 1,800 years ago on the Rhine.
A beautifully preserved Roman helmet from the 3rd century CE. The helmet of Weisenau belonged to the soldier Julius Mansuetus, who engraved his name on the nape of his neck. In addition to the name, there are pictures of mice and loaves of bread on the helmet. The helmet also had cheek pads, which, however, have not survived to our times.
