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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.
In ancient times, athletes used substances to increase the body’s efficiency. Sophist Flavius Philostrat – Greek biographer from 2nd-3rd century CE – remembers that the medics gave the players a decoction of mushrooms or bread with spices and poppy extract, containing alkaloids stimulating the body.
It is said that donuts were already loved by the ancient Romans, who spent the last days of the carnival partying and eating (the so-called Bacchanalia). In this way, the departure of winter and the arrival of spring were celebrated.
One of the greatest Roman emperors, Trajan, owed his military and administrative success not only to his skills but also to the people, who advised him. One of the important figures in his life was certainly Lucius Licinius Sura, comrade-in-arms, faithful friend, and trusted member of consilium – the emperor’s advisory council.
Roman glass vessel in the shape of a fish. Object dated to the 1st-2nd century CE.
Roman inscriptions allow us to get to know many heroes of the Roman games. One of them was a certain Marcus Aurelius Mollicius, a Rome-born coachman who lived just 20 years.
Reconstruction of a Roman villa discovered in La Olmeda (Spain), which was inhabited from the 1st to the 5th century CE. Beautiful floor mosaics have survived to our times.
Roman fresco depicting Phrixus and Helle with a ram with a golden fleece. The object was probably found in Pompeii. The scene shows the moment Helle falls into the water and dies. Phrixus and Helle were siblings who were to be sacrificed to Zeus by their father Atamas – king of Beotia. However, god decided to send a ram to save them and carry them east.
In 55 BCE Cato the Younger – leader of the optimates and advocate of the return to republican virtues – has decided to run for the position of praetor. In this way, he hoped to become a consul in the future and to counteract the triumvirs.
Beautiful Roman multicolored glass vessel. The object is dated to the 1st century BCE.
