Curiosities of ancient Rome

This page is also available in: Polish (polski)

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.

Water from Roman aqueducts was stolen

The running water that was provided by Roman aqueducts was very welcome. Often, however, not everyone was able to draw water directly from the aqueduct and had to go, among others, to public fountains. Sextus…Więcej

Greedy Roman legionaries

Many of us think the Roman legions were brave, disciplined, tough and well-trained soldiers It is true. However, the Romans were like us and they had their own weaknesses. For example greed. So, during the…Więcej

Snails fattened with milk – Roman delicacy

One of the favourite delicacies of the ancient Romans was snails fattened with milk. Varro or Pliny the Elder mention that rich Romans enjoyed snails from their own farms. It seems that the first person…Więcej

Adoption in Roman world

In ancient Rome, adoption (adoptio) meant taking a son or daughter from another family under paternal authority. Adoption was carried out in the presence of a praetor or governor. The adoptive consent was not required.…Więcej

Preserved fragment of Roman home calendar

Preserved fragment of the Roman home calendar. We can read, among others consecutive days in November and December and related Roman holidays. There is a small pin hole next to each day to mark the…Więcej

Sunday is day off from work

On March 3, 321 CE Roman Emperor Constantine the Great issued an edict which instituted Sunday (dies Solis, meaning “the day of the sun”) a day off from work in crafts and trade but did…Więcej

Roman women went to baths on April 1

On the first day of April, Veneralia was celebrated in Rome in honour of Venus Verticordia and Fortuna Virilis. Then the women went to public baths and took baths. After the bath, the statue and…Więcej

Owl on Roman mosaic

Roman mosaic showing an owl. The object was discovered in southern France, in the city of Uzès. Artifact dated to the second half of the 1st century BCE.Więcej

Roman glass urn containing cremated bones of deceased

Roman glass urn containing the cremated bones of the deceased. The object was found near the camp of the Legio II Augusta in Caerleon (Wales), in an ancient cemetery. The ashes probably belong to one…Więcej

Tragic earthquake in Antioch in 115 CE

At the end of 115 CE, Emperor Trajan travelled to Antioch, which he had chosen as his headquarters during an operational break in the Roman-Parth War. He was to devote this time to recuperation and…Więcej

IMPERIUM ROMANUM needs your support!

If you like the content I collect on the website and share it on social media channels, I will be grateful for your support. Even the smallest amounts will allow me to pay for further corrections and improvements on the site and pay for the server.

Support IMPERIUM ROMANUM!

Discover secrets of ancient Rome!

If you want to be up to date with the newest articles on the website and discoveries from ancient Rome, subscribe to the newsletter, which is sent each Saturday.

Subscribe to newsletter!

Classic mobile version