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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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Cicero makes fun of Caesar’s decision
On December 31, 45 BCE unexpectedly died1the current consul, Quintus Fabius Maximus. In his place – until the end of the year, that is for a few hours – Julius Caesar appointed Gaius Caninius Rebilus. Cicero joked about this: “Rebilus had to ask “in whose consulship he was consul”.
Aqueduct Delikkemer
Preserved remains of a Roman aqueduct in the ancient coastal city of Patara (south-west Turkey). The waterworks is also referred to as the Delikkemer aqueduct.
Augustus and eques
As per the ancient sources, Emperor Octavian Augustus one day noticed a member of equites who was eating during the games. He was to say: “If I want to dine, I go home”. The latter was to answer him in the following way:
Wonderful sculpture of Emperor Hadrian
Made of bronze, a sculpture of Emperor Hadrian. The object was built between 132 and 135 CE, so at the end of the ruler’s life.
Speech of Cicero in defense of Quintus Ligarius
Cicero was one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Roman orator. Popularizer of Greek philosophy and politician. A supporter of the optimates. He came from an old equestrian family – the Tullia.
Preserved remains of Roman ship in Po river
Preserved remains of a Roman ship from the 1st century CE were found in the River Po in northwest Italy, near the towns of Verolengo, Chivasso and San Sebastiano.
Roman marble portrait of young man
Roman marble portrait of a young man. Object dated to the middle of the 1st century CE. The artifact is in Gliptotek Ny Carlsberg, in Copenhagen (Denmark).
