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.

Roman lunch

The basic ingredient of Roman’s dinner was bread made of various types of flour: black bread (panis rusticus, plebeius), white bread (panis secundaris) and the softest bread luxurious (panis candidus, uniform). There was no shortage…Więcej

Roman wing-shaped fibula

Roman wing-shaped fibula made of silver, gold and carnelian. These types of fibulae were widely popular in the Roman provinces of Noricum and Pannonia and were worn by women on their shoulders.Więcej

Roman mosaic showing personifications of four seasons

Roman mosaic shows the personifications of the four seasons. The object was found in Santiponce in the south of Spain. Currently, the mosaic is in the Archaeological Museum of Seville. The object dates back to…Więcej

Very interesting Roman mosaic

Very interesting Roman mosaic from Antiochia. The object is dated to the 5th century CE; is located in the Baltimore Art Museum (USA).Więcej

Bust of Emperor Trajan

Bust of Roman Emperor Trajan, who ruled from 98-117 CE. The object is on display at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna in Austria. These types of sculptures of the ruler were created in large numbers on…Więcej

Sex in middle of female cycle?

Roman doctors recommended having sex in the middle of a woman’s menstrual cycle, which would guarantee a zero chance of becoming pregnant. As we currently know, this is the most “dangerous period” for such activities.…Więcej

Roman mosaic showing heads of various animals

Extremely interesting Roman mosaic showing the heads of various animals. In the corners of the squares there are small birds or twigs with an ivy leaf. The mosaic adorned the Roman estate Villa Romana del…Więcej

Roman glass vessel with two handles

Roman glass vessel with two handles. Object found in Colchester (southern England); it is now at Colchester Castle. Dated to the 4th century CE.Więcej

Eagle was supposed to carry the ruler’s soul to heaven

With the advent of the empire, it was customary to release the eagle (symbol of the god Jupiter) after the death of the emperor, which the Romans believed to bear to heaven the soul of…Więcej

Ancient missiles for slingshot

Ancient missiles for slingshot found in a necropolis in Marsala (western Sicily). The objects were not in the tomb, but a separate pit, which, according to scientists, suggests was a form of storage. On some…Więcej

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