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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 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.
A beautiful Roman vessel made of colourless glass has been preserved. The object is 27.5 cm high and dates back to the 3rd century CE. The artifact was found in Cologne, Germany.
Roman barrel-shaped tombstone. The tombstone commemorates a certain Lucius Julius Polybius, who lived 72 years, and the inscription on the object reads “sit tibi terra levis”, that is, “let the earth rest lightly”. Naturally, the shape of the tombstone suggests that the deceased was probably related to the production or trade of wine.
Roman mosaic showing a man carrying water dishes. The object marked the entrance to the caldarium (hot water pool) at Menander’s House in Pompeii.
Roman Weisenau type legionary helmet, dated to the 1st century CE. The helmet is preserved without the cheeks. There is an engraving on the neck guard with the initials of the name of the soldier who wore it – Lucius Lucretius Celer. A Roman served in the centuria of Gaius Mummius Lolianus of the 1st Adiutrix legion.
