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Curiosities of ancient Rome
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.
Fuller in Roman world
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, fulling machines were involved in both the production and washing of fabrics. During the excavations at Pompeii destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE several great fulling workshops were discovered, and the best-preserved and located at the so-called Abundance Street belonged to a certain Stefanus.
Ancient tombstone of gladiator named Quinto Sossio Albo
An ancient tombstone of a gladiator named Quinto Sossio Albo. The man was born in Aquileia and fought in the arena as a murmillo. The man was depicted on a stone with a full three-part name and not just a nickname, proving that he was an auctoratus, a free person who voluntarily agreed to fight in the arena in exchange for fame and money.
Space in formation and width of front of Roman legion
According to Polybius1, during the period of the Republic, Roman legionaries in formation had about 180 cm of space (both depth and width), which was 3.24 square meters. A more reliable source of information – Vegetius2 – is to indicate a width of 90 cm and a depth of 200 cm, i.e. 1.8 square meters.
Superstitious consul Lucius Aemilius Paulus
The Romans were very superstitious. For example, Consul Lucius Aemilius Paulus before embarking on the Macedonian War with king Perseus (in Latin Perseus or Perses) came to the house, where his daughter told him: “Perses is dead” – it was about their dog named Perses. The overjoyed consul took this as a favourable omen.
Hadrian on Roman coin
Roman coin (sestertius) showing Emperor Hadrian on the obverse. The coin was intended to emphasize the ruler’s actions to strengthen the border in Germania, and was minted in Rome at the end of his reign (117-138 CE).
Marriages in Rome were made of sense
Most Roman marriages (especially in the above sphere) were entered into out of reason, not love. Political rivals, through the union of their children, could forge a lasting alliance between the houses and pursue politics together.
