Curiosities of ancient Rome (Faith)

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Eagle was supposed to carry the ruler’s soul to heaven

With the advent of the empire, it was customary to release the eagle (symbol of the god Jupiter) after the death of the emperor, which the Romans believed to bear to heaven the soul of the ruler. He mentions such ... Read more

Bugonia ritual and religious significance of bees in ancient Rome

Bees were special and peculiar to the ancients. Their presence in the myth dates back to times much earlier than Rome. They were of considerable importance in Egyptian and Minoan beliefs. Then they fascinated authors such as Publius Virgil Maro ... Read more

Romans accused Christians of many crimes

The Romans accused Christians of many crimes. For example, they believed that early Christians were practising cannibalism. They probably thought so because they heard about Christ’s followers eating his flesh and drinking his blood. But where does the negative attitude ... Read more

Special role of Roman flamin of Jupiter

Roman priests, in addition to their cult activities, sometimes played another role – representing the function of “their” deity. A special case of such a priest was the flamin of Jupiter, the most venerable of the college of fifteen. He ... Read more

What was crucifixion in ancient Rome like?

Crucifixion was a form of capital punishment used in ancient times, including by Persians, Romans, Phoenicians and Carthaginians on slaves, freedmen, pirates, rebels and other non-full citizens. In the case of ancient Rome, an additionally low-status citizen (humiliores) could be ... Read more

Cult of Cybele in Corbridge (UK).. and Lovecraft

Corbridge (Coria/Corstopitum) was a Roman fort and a town located in the area of Hadrian’s Wall (contemporary Northumberland county, England). Among numerous archaeological finds from Corbridge, there are also testimonies of the cult of Cybele – Phrygian deity originating from ... Read more

Who was Tiberinus Silvius?

According to the ancient historian Titus Livius, Tiberinus Silvius was the ninth king of Alba Long. He was to rule in the years 922-914 BCE and be the successor and son of a certain Capetus. The kings of Alba Longa ... Read more

Persecution of Christians under rule of Decius

The persecution of Christians in ancient Rome – contrary to what is commonly believed – was not of a mass nature. In the 2nd and early 3rd century CE, no document was issued explicitly pointing to the deliberate persecution of ... Read more

Were Romans at arrest and resurrection of Jesus?

“Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons”. (J 18: 3) Only Saint John, who wrote his gospel the latest, mentions Roman soldiers when ... Read more

Pliny the Younger and Christians

Pliny the Younger was a Roman politician and magistrate during the Roman Empire. The most important position he took was the office of governor (legatus Augusti) of the province of Bithynia et Pontus (current Turkey), in 110 CE, during the ... Read more
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