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.

Villa Romana del Tellaro in Sicily

Roman villa, Villa Romana del Tellaro, is located in eastern Sicily, south of the town of Noto. The villa was of an agricultural character, however, it is distinguished mainly by beautiful mosaic floors. The mosaics…Więcej

Roman amphitheater in Syracuse

The Roman amphitheatre in Syracuse (eastern Sicily) was the largest of its kind on the island. It was probably built at the end of the 1st-century BCE and was associated with the reconstruction of Syracuse…Więcej

Funeral pillar from 2nd century BCE

Funeral pillar from the 2nd century BCE. The object is located in Marsala (the Carthaginian and later Roman city Lilybaeum) in Sicily, in the Parco Archeologico di Lilibeo. The image of the deceased wearing a…Więcej

Roman helmet of Montefortino type

Roman helmet of the Montefortino type, dated to the 4th-3rd century BCE. The object is made of bronze and is located in the Parco Archeologico di Lilibeo in Marsala (Sicily). These helmets were made of…Więcej

To whom did the villa known as Villa Farnesina belong?

In 1897, in Rome, on the right bank of the Tiber, the remains of a magnificent Roman villa were found. As it soon turned out, its perfect condition and decorations surpassed the beauty of the…Więcej

Wreck of Roman ship from Sicily

In 1999, a Roman merchant ship from the 3rd century CE was discovered near the Sicilian city of Trapani. The object was at a depth of less than two meters – 150 meters from the…Więcej

Wreck of Punic warship from Marsala

In 1971, the remains of a Punic military ship were discovered in the port of the Sicilian city of Marsala. They are the oldest surviving remains of this type. Researchers refer to the ship as…Więcej

Oak in the culture of the ancient Romans

On the occasion of the ongoing Olympic Games, it is worth mentioning that the plant that is directly associated with the everyday life of ancient Romans is the noble laurel (Laurus nobilis). The image of…Więcej

Deposit in the Roman law

Apart from loan for consumption (mutuum) there were other real contracts – deposit (depositum), loan for use (commodatum) and pledge (pignus). Originally there was only the loan but with time the group of real contracts…Więcej

Villa romana di San Luca in Sicily

In the central part of Sicily, near the town of Corleone, there are the remains of a Roman villa – Villa romana di San Luca. The facility had an agricultural character and unfortunately it is…Więcej

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