Curiosities of ancient Rome

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The world of the ancient Romans was rich in extraordinary, and sometimes even surprising, facts. We draw our knowledge of Roman daily life, customs, and mentality primarily from works left by ancient writers and historians. It is thanks to them that we discover information that is astonishing today – sometimes even hard to believe. Below are some interesting facts that reveal a lesser-known and less obvious side of the Roman world.

I encourage you to submit your own suggestions and to report any corrections or inaccuracies.

Roman graffiti – voice of ordinary people from centuries ago

On the walls of ancient Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other Roman cities, archaeologists have discovered thousands of inscriptions that offer a glimpse into the daily lives of the empire’s inhabitants. These are the so-called graffiti –…Więcej

From swamp fever to green fairy

In one of Rome’s most powerful periods, when its borders stretched from Britain to Syria, when Julius Caesar spoke in the Forum, and when legions marched along roads leading to the Euphrates, there was a…Więcej

Ancient statues off coast of Egypt

Several large sculptures were among a treasure trove of artifacts recovered by divers from the waters near Alexandria, Egypt. A collection of ancient statues, coins, pottery, and fragments of a merchant ship have been recovered…Więcej

Myth: Romans often binged and vomited to keep eating

The image of the ancient Roman in the popular imagination – perpetuated by cinema, literature, and popular culture – is often a half-naked figure reclining in a luxurious triclinium, surrounded by wine, fruit, roasted meat,…Więcej

Roman sarcophagus found in beach bar in Bulgaria

In Varna, Bulgaria, in 2024, a tourist noticed an unusual table at a beach bar. It turned out to be a 1,700-year-old Roman sarcophagus (measuring 90 cm x 235 cm x 75 cm) that was…Więcej

Roman ring embossed with image of goddess Fortuna

Roman ring embossed with the image of the goddess Fortuna. The object is dated to 1st BCE – 1st century CE.Więcej

Roman metal vessel

Roman metal vessel with remnants of enameled decoration. The object was found in a grave in Pinguentum (present-day Buzet, Croatia), but was made in Britain or Gaul in the 2nd century CE. The artifact is…Więcej

Prow of Roman warship made of bronze

An extraordinary ancient artifact has been discovered off the coast of Sicily, near the Aegadian Islands: the bronze prow of a Roman warship, known as a rostrum. This rare find directly links us to the…Więcej

Beautifully decorated antique glass bowl with ancient Greek inscription

Beautifully decorated antique glass bowl with an ancient Greek inscription: “Drink to live forever, for many years.” The object was discovered in a 4th-century Roman cemetery in Slovenia. The artifact is currently housed at the…Więcej

Preserved Roman tap and water tank

Preserved Roman tap and water tank. This nearly 2,000-year-old object was discovered in Pompeii.Więcej

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