Curiosities of ancient Rome

This page is also available in: Polish (polski)

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 ring with image of Jupiter

Roman ring with the image of Jupiter. Object dated to the middle of the 1st and 1st century CE. The object is in the collection of the State Museums in Berlin (Germany).Więcej

Roman earrings from Pompeii

Beautiful Roman earrings from Pompeii. Object dated to 1st century CE.Więcej

Roman tombstone of Severius Acceptus

Roman tombstone of Severius Acceptus, a soldier of the legion VIII Augusta, who probably belonged to a separate special unit of vexillatio. The man died at the age of 26 after 6 years of service…Więcej

Incest, adultery or fornication

Under Roman law, sexual intercourse qualified as incest, adultery or fornication (stuprum). This word is often used by Roman writers also in the context of the violation of Roman rights of freedom in relation to…Więcej

Porphyry

Porphyry has been used since ancient times to make sarcophagi, sculptures and a host of other items as well as architectural features. The most widely used type of porphyry was red porphyry, or rather porphyry…Więcej

Roman ring inscribed with MATRI PATRI

Roman ring with the inscription MATRI PATRI, meaning “to Mum and Dad”. Object found in Vindolanda, England.Więcej

Ancient discoveries in city Magnice in Poland

Within the suburbs of Wrocław, in the village of Magnice, archaeological excavations preceding the construction of a logistics center revealed the remains of a large settlement of the Przeworsk culture from the 60’s of the…Więcej

Assessment of Roman republican system by Polybius

Polybius went down in history as a Greek historian who, after his stay in Roman captivity, came under the protection of the consul Lucius Emilius Paulus, and then took part in more important military operations…Więcej

No fight as gladiator

Tabula Larinas was a senatorial decree of 19 CE that forbade sons, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren from senators or equites to participate in gladiatorial fights if they are under 20 life. The decision to issue…Więcej

Silphium juice

Silphium, that is, the sylphion was a plant that enjoyed extraordinary popularity in ancient times. Its juice was one of the main exports of the ancient Greek colony of Kyrene (today Libya), and it was…Więcej

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