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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.
Brutality and cruelty are often associated with ancient Rome, and one of the most horrific customs was the practice of using convicts as “human lanterns”. What did this cruel way of punishment look like and what does it say about the mentality of the Roman empire? More about this in the article below.
“Annales” by Quintus Ennius (239 – 169 BCE) is a monumental epic poem that aims to tell the history of Rome from its mythical beginnings to Ennius’ contemporary times. Considered one of the fathers of Roman literature, Ennius revolutionized epic poetry by introducing Greek influences and adapting the classical Greek dactylic hexameter, making him a forerunner of the Roman epic tradition.
Carpentum was one of the most important means of transportation in ancient Rome, serving both practical and symbolic functions. This two-wheeled vehicle, most often pulled by horses or mules, was used primarily by Roman elites – especially women and priests.
Calceus is a typical Roman shoe that played a key role not only as foot protection but also as a marker of social position. It was a shoe that covered the entire foot, tied at the ankle and at the front, made of durable leather, often dyed in characteristic colours reflecting the status of its owner.
Romans were known for their excellent engineering sense, which was reflected not only in the construction of aqueducts and roads but also in the planning of cities and forts. In particular, the street marking system became one of the most characteristic elements of their urban planning, and its influence is visible in cities throughout the former Roman Empire.
In ancient Rome, amber was a valued material with many uses, from jewellery to amulets and home decorations. Its extraordinary beauty, healing properties and rarity attracted the attention not only of wealthy citizens but also of the emperors themselves. Where did this fascination with amber come from and what role did it play in Roman culture?
Cornu, also known as the “horn of legions”, is one of the most characteristic musical instruments of ancient Rome. Its sound resounded on battlefields, during triumphal processions and in the theatre, symbolizing the power and discipline of the Roman legions. This large, curved horn made of bronze served not only a musical but also a communicative function.
Antiquity is associated primarily with great philosophers, warriors and architecture, but one of the most interesting aspects of ancient life is culinary art. Among the preserved works of ancient Rome, a special place is held by “On the Subject of Cooking” (De re coquinaria) by Apicius, considered one of the first gastronomes in history.
“Praecepta ad filium” (i.e. “Maxims addressed to his son”) is a work that is traditionally attributed to the famous Roman politician, military man and writer, Cato the Elder (234-149 BCE), and which is considered the first Roman encyclopedia. “Maxims addressed to his son,” as the name suggests, was addressed to Cato’s son.
De agri cultura (On farming) is one of the oldest works of Roman literature, written by Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato, lived in the years 234-149 BCE) in the 2nd century BCE. It is the first surviving textbook on agriculture in Latin literature. The work was created with landowners in mind and aimed to provide them with practical advice on farm management.
