Curiosities of ancient Rome

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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.

I encourage you to submit your own suggestions and to report any corrections or inaccuracies.

Underfloor heating system in Villa Romana del Casale, Sicily

Remains of the Roman floor heating system – hypocaustum – in the Roman Villa Romana del Casale in Sicily. The floor rested on visible brick pillars (pilae) about 80 cm high, and in the visible…Więcej

Cato the Elder insisted on bathing children in warm urine

The Roman statesman, Cato the Elder insisted that children should be bathed in warm urine, made by adults who have eaten cabbage before. On the other hand, if the child does not feel like falling…Więcej

Romulus’ ideas for increasing population

The legendary first king of Rome, Romulus wanted to create a great and populated Rome. To this end, it required parents not to kill any children until the age of three, unless the child was…Więcej

Pigeons drinking water from vessel

Fragment of a Roman mosaic showing a group of pigeons drinking from a vessel. The object adorned Hadrian’s villa in Tivoli (a city approximately 28 kilometers from Rome) in the years 118-134 CE. The Romans…Więcej

Part of preserved Roman leather tent

Fragment of a preserved Roman leather tent from the Vercovicium fort, which formed part of Hadrian’s wall. The creation of one tent for an 8-person contubernium (the smallest unit in the legion) could require about…Więcej

Cato the Elder, known as Censor

Cato the Elder fought against all Greek influence as a supporter of the traditional virtues of Roman and republican rule. He was a supporter of strict and old Roman traditions, the origin of which dates…Więcej

Traces of child and deer on Roman roof tiles

Roman clay plate with imprints of a child’s foot and deer claw. The object is about 1,800 years old and was found in Ummendorf (southwest Germany). A frequent find from Roman times are the remains…Więcej

How were large transactions carried out in ancient Rome?

In 62 BCE Cicero was to buy a house from Licinius Crassus, located in a prestigious place – on the Palatine – until for 3.5 million sesterces 1 Cicero, Ad Familiares, V.6.2 . For this,…Więcej

Roman mosaic showing octopus

Roman mosaic showing an octopus. The object was located in a Roman villa in Villaquejida, Spain. Dated on the 2nd-3rd century CE; it is now in the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid.Więcej

Roman tombstone of certain Sanctinius Exsuperatus

Roman tombstone and stone with a rare name – Sanctinius Exsuperatus. The objects were made of red sandstone and discovered southwest of the Roman fortress of Isca (today’s Caerleon, South Wales). Scientists date objects to…Więcej

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