Octopus on Roman mosaic
Octopus on a Roman mosaic; the object dates to the 4th century CE and was discovered in Aquileia, Italy. Octopus was part of the diet of ancient Romans, particularly in coastal regions.
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Curiosities of ancient Rome
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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Roman mosaic depicting leopard
Roman mosaic depicting a leopard and Dionysian symbols. Dated to the 1st century CE, the object was found in Pompeii.
Frog on Roman mosaic
Roman mosaic depicting a frog on a leaf. Ancient Greeks and Romans associated frogs with harmony, fertility, and debauchery, as well as the goddess Aphrodite (Venus).
Raven on Roman ring
Roman gold signet ring depicting a raven perched on a ram’s head. A crescent moon and branch motif are also visible. The piece dates to the 2nd-1st century BCE. The artifact is located at the Thorvaldsen Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Roman mosaic depicting rabbit driving chariot pulled by geese
Roman mosaic depicting rabbit driving chariot pulled by geese. The object is located in the Louvre Museum.
Statue of naked Venus
Statue of a nude Venus in the peristyle of the Torre Annunziata in Oplontis. The object was likely a decorative element in one of the rooms in the house.
Crustaceans and slaughtered animals in Roman fresco
Fragment of a Roman fresco discovered in Pompeii, depicting an initiation ritual into the mysteries of Dionysus. The scene depicts shellfish and slaughtered animals.
Roman sculpture in honor of Jupiter
Roman sculpture honoring Jupiter. The object was discovered in 2024 in Stuttgart, southwest Germany, on the site of a former Roman fort.
Preserved Punic amphora
Preserved Punic amphora that was excavated from the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea near the island of Gozo. The object is dated to the 4th-3rd century BCE.
Roman floor mosaic depicting birds
Roman floor mosaic depicting birds. The object is located in the so-called House of the Faun (VI. 12. 2) in Pompeii.
