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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.
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Roman mosaic showing the philosophers at the Plato Academy of Athens listening to a lecture by Plato, sitting in the center, pointing at the globe with a stick. Behind the men is a sundial. The object adorned the villa of Titus Siminius Stephanus in Pompeii and dates back to the 1st BCE – 1st century CE.
A plate made of bronze, which served as confirmation of the demobilization of a Roman soldier of auxilia and granting him, in exchange for faithful service, Roman citizenship. The property is located in the Colchester Museum in the East of England.
The most original cult of the Romans was the cult of genius. As a guardian deity, he was born along with a man, he guided his good and bad fortune. He was shown as a young man in a toga, with a veil on his face, a cup and a cornucopia.
Roman bust of Marcus Antonius Gordianus, known as Emperor Gordian III. The object was found in Tunisia; now it is in the Louvre in Paris (France). He ruled in the years 238 – 244 CE.
During the time of the first emperor – Octavian Augustus – Princeps himself was highly appreciated by a medic, a certain Antony Musa. He used, in 23 BCE, a revolutionary method of treatment – different from other doctors – namely cold compresses/baths, which healed a seriously ill emperor.
Roman tombstone inscribed in Greek. The object was found in Brough, Northern England. The deceased 16-year-old young man was named Hermes from Commagene in Syria; probably associated with the Roman army. The inscription asks passersby to remember the deceased and speak loudly at his grave.
Josephus Flavius wrote in the 1st century CE that all legionaries carried in addition to weapons: saw, basket, bucket, axe, leather belt, sickle, chain and a food ration that was supposed to last for three days.
