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.

Computer-reconstructed Roman mosaic

Company 4iG has made a computer reconstruction of a Roman floor mosaic from a luxurious Roman villa in Nagyharsány, Hungary. The visualization was made in cooperation with the conservators of the Hungarian National Museum. According…Więcej

Monumentum Liviae

Via Appia in Ancient Rome was the main cemetery avenue. There were countless monuments and monumental tombs of the most important Roman families. Among them, there were also mass graves for a less wealthy society.…Więcej

Oracles of Astrampsychus

It is a known fact that in the world of ancient Romans, the poorer bourgeoisie could not count on the rights that wealthy Romans had only from being born into an eminent family. Unfortunately, plebeians…Więcej

Ancient buildings on Roman mosaic

A detail of a beautiful Roman mosaic showing the buildings at Hippo Regius in Algeria. The object is dated to the 2nd century CE. We can see beautiful porticos, columns, bars or even a quadriga…Więcej

Great defeats with Persians and Empire’s rematch in 3rd century CE

The greatest defeat in Roman history is considered to be the battle with Hannibal at Cannae in 216 BCE. There are also known hecatombs in the Teutoburg Forest in 9 CE and under Adrianople in…Więcej

Roman mosaic showing large number of different species of fish and marine animals

Roman mosaic showing a large number of different species of fish and marine animals. Object dated to the 3rd century CE; the artifact adorned the villa la Pineda in Vila-seca, in eastern Spain. As we…Więcej

Myth about laurel branch and white chicken

In 1863, during the excavations, the Villa Livia was discovered – archaeologists saw chambers full of unusual frescoes. Particularly noteworthy is the room with frescoes depicting a fabulous Mediterranean garden – and really, dear reader,…Więcej

Trauma after defeat of Varus

In 15 CE, a Roman punitive expedition, led by Aulus Cecina, returning to bases on the Rhine, was surrounded by the Germans. The legionaries, despite being highly disciplined, were also very superstitious and quickly associated…Więcej

Bust showing Roman from reign of Caracalla

Bust showing a Roman, probably from the beginning of the 2nd century CE – the reign of Emperor Caracalla. This is indicated by the hairstyle and beard. The artifact is in the J. Paul Getty…Więcej

Quintuplets in message of Gellius

It is difficult to imagine that more children than two / three could be born and survived in the world at one time in antiquity. Mostly multiple babies are premature babies, and the more babies…Więcej

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