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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.
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In the Roman legion, apart from the usual javelins (pilum), a type of short javelin (plumbatae) was also used. Plumbata was a kind of a dart approximately 60 cm with a lead load (ball), thanks to which the dart was stable during the flight. Its operation was similar to that of pilum with the difference, however, that it could be thrown much further. Thongs or something like wooden hand-held launchers was used for this.
Fragment of colored glass with an image of a fish, which dates back to 2nd BCE – 1st century CE. Object found in Egypt.
Bas-relief shows the profile of a figure with long hair, wearing a diadem decorated with leaves and bunches of grapes. The head rests on a wicker basket, partially covered with goatskin.
Most publications on the Polish market are full of errors in this matter. Konstantin Nosow is the most perfect in the described subject (Osprey’s publication “Gladiators. Bloody spectacle in the history of Rome”, Polish version by Bellona). The illustration shows the most typical gladiators’ helmets from the 1st-4th century CE. The text describes much more matter.
Sculpture depicts emperor Octavian Augustus dressed as Pontifex Maximus (the highest priest). He is wearing a toga and his head is covered. His feet are shod in calcei patricii (shoes worn by the upper class of Roman society). By the leg there is a container (capsa) for official documents. The right arm of the princeps indicates that he is in the process of making an offering, holding a sacrificial chalice (patera), ready for a libation.
Gambling, betting and board games are still very popular today. As it turns out, gambling was also extremely popular in ancient Rome, as evidenced by the numerous game boards found in the areas of the former Roman Empire. It is worth adding that enthusiasts of board games were called “dicemen” (alaetores).
Conquest of Rome by the Gauls in 390 BCE in Roman historiography, it appeared as one of the most tragic events in the history of Rome. The city was to be conquered by the tribe of Gauls, who were most likely looking for new lands, or simply a group of Gallic mercenaries looking for new prey.
Roman toiletry bag of patrician. The makeup in ancient Rome mainly included the face and neck and shoulders. These parts of the body were sprinkled with white powder or pearl powder. Just like today, the illuminating and covering powder was supposed to cover discolouration, brighten the skin and give it uniformity.
Roman ring showing a certain Titus Carvilius Gemello. The man died at the age of 18, and the ring with his image was worn by his mother on a daily basis. The object is made of gold and quartz. The object is dated to the 1st century CE and was found in the Grottaferrata necropolis, near Rome.
Probably in 222 BCE, when Marcus Minucius Rufus assumed the office of Roman dictator, and Gaius Flaminius magister equitum (deputy dictator in political and military functions), a disturbing event occurred.
