This page cannot be viewed in frames

Go to page

If you have found a spelling error, please, notify us by selecting that text and pressing Ctrl+Enter.

Curiosities of ancient Rome

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.

Possible sightseeing of Roman ship near coast of Spain

Near Villajoyosa (eastern coast of Spain), at the bottom of the sea, there is a Roman shipwreck (called Bou Ferrer) from the 1st century CE. The vessel is located at a depth of about 25 meters and about 1000 meters from the shore. Since 2013, the wreck has been made available to tourists for sightseeing.

Amphorae in the Roman ship Bou Ferrer

Theseus killing Minotaur

Roman mosaic showing the scene of Theseus’ killing the Minotaur. The object was found in the province of Retia (eastern Switzerland). Object dated to the 1st-2nd century CE; is currently at the University Library Freiburg in Germany.

Theseus killing Minotaur

Roman brooch in shape of frog

Roman brooch in the shape of a frog. Frogs are believed to have apotropaic value, that is, they protected against evil forces. The object is dated to the 2nd-4th century CE.

Roman brooch in shape of frog

Mommsen, Syme, the Nobel Prize, and Octavian Augustus

In common consciousness, the names Mommsen and Syme do not occupy a permanent place. However, they are certainly worth remembering, and in the case of an enthusiast of ancient Roman history, they must even be well known. What do these two characters have in common?

Theodor Mommsen, Ludwig Knaus

Roman enamel brooch

Roman enamel brooch made of bronze. Subject was found in Carlungie in eastern Scotland. The artifact was imported from Gaul and dates back to the 1st-2nd century CE.

Roman enamel brooch

Roman city of Viriconium Cornoviorum

Viriconium Cornoviorum (now Wroxeter in the West of England) was founded as a Roman fort (castrum) in the middle of the 1st century CE, which was the base for the 14th Gemina legion, invading Wales. The city developed at the end of the 1st century and became the fourth largest city in Roman Britain.

The remains of the Roman city of Viriconium Cornoviorum

Spelling error report

The following text will be sent to our editors: