Curiosities of ancient Rome

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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.

I encourage you to submit your own suggestions and to report any corrections or inaccuracies.

In ancient Rome, proscriptions were used

Proscriptions (proscriptio) in Roman law consisted in entering into the list of outlaws – political opponents and, consequently, their property and sentencing to exile. The children and grandchildren of the proscribed person were marked by…Więcej

Artabanus’ letter to Tiberius

The reign of Tiberius (14-37 CE) was for ordinary people in the provinces a period of peace and good state management, but for the spheres of the Roman aristocracy, a time of increasing tyranny and…Więcej

Grand Theater in Ephesus – before and after excavations

Comparison of the 2,300-year-old Grand Theater in Ephesus (Turkey) – before and after the excavations. The object had 25,000 seats and is believed to be the largest of its kind in the ancient world. Both…Więcej

Harshest punishments in ancient Rome

The worst crimes in ancient Rome included kidnapping, adultery, arson, bigamy, forgery, incest, rape, sexual assault, theft and treason.Więcej

Cabbage goo – drug of Cato

Cato the Elder, author of the work De agri cultura, recommended the use of cabbage to compress wounds, swelling, burns and even bone dislocations. In turn, for arthritis, he recommended chopped, raw cabbage mixed with…Więcej

Black stone from Emessa

Elagabalus was less than fourteen years old when he ascended the throne on May 16, 218 CE. Lost, he sought support from a god – El Gabal, whom he had served until recently. He brought…Więcej

Roman amulet with phallus

Roman amulet made of an antler base with a carved phallus. The object was found in the area of the former Roman camp where the II Augusta legion was stationed; in Caerleon (Wales).Więcej

Via Salaria – Roman road

Via Salaria (literally “the salt road”) is one of the oldest roads in Italy and is even older than the Eternal City itself. The 242 km long road connected the capital of the Empire with…Więcej

Why do we learn so little about Byzantine history at school?

The Byzantine Empire was a continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire, which was created as part of the division of the Roman Empire in 395 CE, on the initiative of Emperor Theodosius I. It was…Więcej

Roman duralex

Behind Emperor Tiberius, the “duralex“, non-fading glass was invented. Flexible glass (vitrum flexile) is a legendary, forgotten discovery that was lost during the reign of Emperor Tiberius (14-37 CE). According to a message from Isidore…Więcej

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