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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.
Romans were known for their excellent engineering sense, which was reflected not only in the construction of aqueducts and roads but also in the planning of cities and forts. In particular, the street marking system became one of the most characteristic elements of their urban planning, and its influence is visible in cities throughout the former Roman Empire.
In ancient Rome, amber was a valued material with many uses, from jewellery to amulets and home decorations. Its extraordinary beauty, healing properties and rarity attracted the attention not only of wealthy citizens but also of the emperors themselves. Where did this fascination with amber come from and what role did it play in Roman culture?
Titus Livius (59 BCE – 17 CE), one of the most important historians of ancient Rome, left behind a monumental work – “Ab Urbe Condita” (i.e. “From the Founding of the City”, also called “History of Rome”). His work, originally consisting of 142 books, was an attempt to write down the history of Rome from its mythical foundation by Romulus to his contemporary times, i.e. the end of the 1st century BCE. Although only 35 books of the work have survived to this day, its influence on the subsequent history of literature, historiography and the perception of antiquity is enormous.
Porta Portuensis was one of the monumental gates in the defensive walls of ancient Rome, built during the times of Emperor Aurelian in the 3rd century CE. The gate was located in the western part of the city, near today’s Trastevere, and led to the Roman Port, one of the main trading centers of antiquity, located at the mouth of the Tiber River. The gate was rebuilt in 403 CE, during the reign of Honorius.
In ancient Rome, midwives (obstetrices) played a key role in society, being not only specialists in the field of obstetrics but also women’s guides in one of the most important moments of their lives – the birth of a child.
Anna Perenna, an ancient Italian goddess worshipped in Rome and identified with the New Year. Her name comes from the Latin words: annis – year and perennis – eternal. The origin of the original goddess cult remains a mystery. It probably came from the people living on the Iberian Peninsula before the Greeks and Latins. The cult of Anna was therefore appropriated by the Romans, who adapted it to their language. The ancient Romans had various versions of the origins of Anna Perenna.
In ancient Rome, war was an integral part of life, and the Roman army enjoyed a reputation as one of the best-organized military forces in history. To maintain their power on the battlefield, the Romans also had to develop medical skills that allowed them to effectively treat wounded soldiers and ensure a quick return to combat. Field medicine in ancient Rome was therefore a key element of their war strategy.
The entire life of Roman citizens revolved around the city on the one hand and around the family (familia) on the other. The word meant a little more than family. It included all the inhabitants of the house: parents, children, grandchildren, slaves, and even freedmen who stayed with their masters. They were all subject to the authority of the father of the family. It was in the family environment that the most important events in the life of a Roman and the rituals related to them took place.
Cato the Elder, a tenacious defender of Roman values, became famous, among others, for his opposition to the repeal of lex Oppia. It was then, in one of the first mass demonstrations by women in Roman history, that Roman women gathered on the Capitoline Hill to demand an end to restrictions on luxury. Cato, faithful to ancient traditions, headed the camp of opponents.
Cornu, also known as the “horn of legions”, is one of the most characteristic musical instruments of ancient Rome. Its sound resounded on battlefields, during triumphal processions and in the theatre, symbolizing the power and discipline of the Roman legions. This large, curved horn made of bronze served not only a musical but also a communicative function.
