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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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As reported by Pliny the Elder1, who lived in the middle of the 1st century CE, one of the most eaten fish among the ancient Romans was the red mullet. As he himself points out, the fish has a “double beard” (mullus barbatus) and is not suitable for breeding, and the best specimens can be found in open waters.
In the slang of Roman soldiers, a military camp that was located on uneven and unfavourable terrain was called “stepmother” (noverca).
Children from rich homes were often fed by other women, the so-called mammals. Soranus of Ephesus in the 2nd century CE. He proposed to hire a woman between 20 and 40 years of age who has two or three children of her own.
Tombstone relief showing the magistrate Quintus Lollius Alkamenes, holding a bust of an unknown person in his hand (perhaps a portrait of himself as youth or of his son). The deceased was shown during contemplation. On the right, a woman, probably a wife, is making a sacrifice. The object is dated to the 1st century CE; is in the collection of Villa Albani in Rome.
Titus Livy reports that reportedly the mother of a Roman who managed to escape from the Battle of Cannae in 216 BCE and return to Rome, she died in the hands of her son. Another mother, hearing about her son’s death, sat in grief in front of the house. But when she saw him alive at her door, she died of joy.
Roman emperor from the turn of the 3rd and 4th centuries CE, Maximian, co-ruling with Diocletian, became famous as persecutors of the followers of Christianity. Maximian was once to order the decimation (decimatio) of a legion (the so-called Theban legion, derived from Egypt) composed of Christian soldiers. The commander’s decision was based on the fact that the detachment refused to put down a revolt in Gaul, which was triggered by fellow believers.
Ancient Egyptian child’s drawing on a fragment of a pottery vessel. The object was found at Athribis (Egypt); it is dated to the 1st century BCE – 1st CE. In ancient times, the ostracon was used as a cheap writing material.
For the bravery shown in combat and good performance of all duties, Roman soldiers could receive the so-called a phalera (plural phalerae), a kind of medal or decoration which they then wore tied with leather straps above the chest.
