Curiosities of ancient Rome

This page is also available in: Polish (polski)

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.

How could Roman citizen lose his citizenship?

Roman citizen may have lost citizenship as a result of capitis deminutio media. The loss of citizenship also entailed the loss of freedom – capitis deminutio maxima (the greatest diminution of personality). A man could…Więcej

Trajan’s Halls – first shopping mall

Trajan’s Halls (Mercatus Traiani) is probably the first shopping mall as we understand it today. They were created on the command of Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century CE (probably in the years 100-110 CE)…Więcej

Gneus Petreus

In the winter of 102 BCE, one of the legions was sent to the Adige valley, near today’s Trento. Consul Quintus Lutatius Catulus, with this movement, wanted to delay the movements of the incoming Cimbri…Więcej

Roman mosaic showing personification of summer

Roman mosaic showing the personification of summer. The object is dated from the 3rd-2nd century BCE; located in a museum in Seville (Spain).Więcej

American couple used Roman mosaic as table for over 50 years

For nearly 50 years, a couple from New York City used an ancient Roman mosaic as a coffee table. The amazing artefact dates back to the middle of the 1st century CE. As it turned…Więcej

Marble bust of Agrippina the Younger

Marble bust of the Roman Empress – possibly Agrippina the Younger (15-59 CE), sister of Caligula, niece and wife of Emperor Claudius, as well as mother of Nero. In the sculpture, the empress is distinguished…Więcej

Antinous as Osiris

Antinous, lover of Emperor Hadrian, after his death in 130 CE he was deified, and the ruler ordered numerous portraits of him to be made en masse. As a result, many sculptures showing a young…Więcej

Roman denarii of Alnwick

Roman denarii found near Hadrian’s Wall. The artifacts date back to the middle of the 2nd century CE. and are now in the collection of the Duke of Northumberland at Alnwick Castle, Northern England.Więcej

Only free-born Roman men were allowed to wear toga

Only free-born Roman men were allowed to wear the toga (symbol of citizenship). Putting on a toga was a difficult, not to say burdensome activity. The strip of fabric was folded lengthwise, one end was…Więcej

Ancient column being part of Achilleus’ tomb

An ancient column that is part of a tomb from the 3rd century BCE. On the stone is the inscription “Achilleus, son of Prothymus, be happy even in the underworld”. The part of the preserved…Więcej

IMPERIUM ROMANUM needs your support!

If you like the content I collect on the website and share it on social media channels, I will be grateful for your support. Even the smallest amounts will allow me to pay for further corrections and improvements on the site and pay for the server.

Support IMPERIUM ROMANUM!

Discover secrets of ancient Rome!

If you want to be up to date with the newest articles on the website and discoveries from ancient Rome, subscribe to the newsletter, which is sent each Saturday.

Subscribe to newsletter!

Classic mobile version