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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.

Roman relief showing goddess Minerva

Roman relief showing the goddess Minerva (Greek Athena) holding her helmet and shield. On the back there are symbols of the goddess – an owl and a sacred snake wrapped around an olive tree. The artifact was of a votive nature; is located in Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (Denmark). Dated to the 1st century BCE.

Roman relief showing goddess Minerva

Sculpture showing young Roman woman

Sculpture showing a young Roman woman. The object was discovered in Rome and dates back to the 1st century BCE. The artifact is located in Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (Denmark).

Sculpture showing young Roman woman

Sculpture showing torso of Hercules

Sculpture showing the torso of Hercules. The object dates back to Roman times and was inspired by the Greek original. The artifact is located in Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (Denmark).

Sculpture showing torso of Hercules

Roman sculpture depicting Satyr

Roman sculpture depicting Satyr. The inscription under the sculpture informs that the full composition depicted a Satyr playing the flute. The object dates back to the 1st century CE. The artifact is located in Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (Denmark).

Roman sculpture depicting Satyr

Kneeling Parthian

Roman sculpture showing a kneeling Parthian. The object dates back to around 20 BCE and was discovered in Afyonkarahisar (western Türkiye). The artifact is located in Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (Denmark).

Kneeling Parthian

Roman with beard on sculpture

Roman with a beard on a sculpture. The object dates back to the mid-2nd century CE; discovered in the Tomb of Licinius in Rome. The artifact is located in Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (Denmark).

Roman with beard on sculpture

Forum Boarium – animal market

In ancient Rome, one of the oldest forums was the Forum Boarium. The Forum Boarium together with Forum Holitorium1 were located at a strategic point on the Tiber at the first crossing of the river.

Arch of Janus

Law and society of ancient Rome

Many legal systems in the world today, such as the French legal system, are based on Roman law. Law and order were essential to the governance of the Roman Empire; there were many laws and many ways to interpret them. They were all unified by Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century CE. A significant reform of the law was carried out by Emperor Justinian (reigned 527-565). His law is known as the Justinian Code. It became the basis of Western European law.

Judgment of Paris on Roman mosaic

Roman sculpture depicting Mercury

Roman sculpture depicting Mercury (Greek Hermes), the messenger of the gods. The object was discovered in Hadrian’s villa and dates back to the 2nd century CE. It is a copy of a Greek original from around 330 BCE. The artifact is located in Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (Denmark). The facility was restored in the 18th century.

Roman sculpture depicting Mercury

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