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Curiosities of ancient Rome

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.

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About marital fidelity

There are many examples of marital fidelity in ancient Rome. Often, when one of the parties died, the other often took her own life in a gesture of despair.

Elisabetta Sirani, Porcia Wounding Her Thigh

Clodius, iustitium and earthquake

In 58 BCE Publius Clodius, using his powers of the people’s tribune, ordered the stalls to be closed and trade within Rome to be stopped. It was the first step towards the introduction in Rome of the iustitium – ie the state of emergency.

Francesco Bertolini, The body of Publius Clodius Pulcher found on the Appian Way

Roman fresco showing Amor and Psyche

Roman fresco depicting Amor (god of love) and Psyche in a loving embrace. The object adorned the House of Terentius Neo (Regio VII, 2, 6) in Pompeii. Currently, the artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

Roman fresco showing Amor and Psyche

Carved silhouette of Roman soldier

Carved silhouette of a Roman soldier on the tombstone. The object has survived to our times, as the stone was used for construction in London. The presented person is unknown to us by name.

Carved silhouette of Roman soldier

How did ancient Romans eat their meals?

Ancient Romans consuming soup mainly used spoons made of bronze, animal bones or wood. Richer Romans used silver cutlery. The so-called ligula a small dessert spoon. There was another type, for example, coclear – a spoon with a sharp tip for pulling snails out of the shell or eating an egg. What else was used to eat? How did ancient Romans eat their meals?

Roman feast

Roman relief showing cutlery shop

Roman relief from Ostia showing a cutlery shop. Interestingly, the ancient Romans mainly used spoons (furca) and hands in eating; forks and knives were used to cut, prepare and serve dishes. Object dated to the 1st century CE.

Roman relief showing cutlery shop

Renovated temple dedicated to Mithra

The restored temple of Mithra can be visited in the Aquincum Archaeological Park in the Óbuda district of Budapest since 2018. The renovated building has been reopened on the day of Summer solstice and the author had an opportunity to be the first visitor there.

Restored Mithreum in Aquincum

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