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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.
Atia the Elder, known primarily as the mother of Octavian Augustus, the first emperor of Rome. Born in 85 BCE as the daughter of Marcus Atius Balbus and Julia the Younger, sister of Julius Caesar, Atia was part of one of Rome’s most influential families. Her life is an example of a typical woman of that time, focused on taking care of the home, devoted to her family and trying to take care of her children’s development.
Antiquity is associated primarily with great philosophers, warriors and architecture, but one of the most interesting aspects of ancient life is culinary art. Among the preserved works of ancient Rome, a special place is held by “On the Subject of Cooking” (De re coquinaria) by Apicius, considered one of the first gastronomes in history.
Olive oil was not only a key product in the daily life of ancient Romans, but also a symbol of status, wealth and civilization. Its use went far beyond cooking – in Rome, olive oil was widely used in medicine, religion, cosmetics and household.
Hamilcar Barkas is a figure who is strongly embedded in the history of the ancient world, although his son Hannibal became more famous as a great Carthaginian commander. It was Hamilcar, a fearless general and statesman, who built the foundations of the power that his son used during his great wars with Rome.
Cecilia Paulina was the wife of Maximinus Thrax, the Roman emperor who reigned in the years 235–238 CE. Although her character remains somewhat mysterious and we have little information about her in historical sources, we can learn some interesting facts about her life and role in the Roman Empire.
“Praecepta ad filium” (i.e. “Maxims addressed to his son”) is a work that is traditionally attributed to the famous Roman politician, military man and writer, Cato the Elder (234-149 BCE), and which is considered the first Roman encyclopedia. “Maxims addressed to his son,” as the name suggests, was addressed to Cato’s son.
Bust of Empress Livia, who lived in 58 BCE – 29 CE. The object was discovered in Asia Minor and dates back to the beginning of the 1st century CE. The artifact is located in Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (Denmark).
De agri cultura (On farming) is one of the oldest works of Roman literature, written by Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato, lived in the years 234-149 BCE) in the 2nd century BCE. It is the first surviving textbook on agriculture in Latin literature. The work was created with landowners in mind and aimed to provide them with practical advice on farm management.
Sumptuariae leges were laws that were intended to regulate expenses and limit luxuries in Roman society.
Venus on Roman sculpture. The object was discovered in the Baths of Hadrian in Aphrodisias in Asia Minor; dating back to the 2nd century CE. The artifact is located in Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (Denmark).
