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.

Fragment of Roman sculpture depicting Jupiter Tonans (Thunderer)

Fragment of a Roman sculpture depicting Jupiter Tonans (the Thunderer). The object was found in the Temple of Jupiter in Pompeii. Height: 70 cm. It is now housed in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.Więcej

Roman fountain in Via della Fortuna

Roman fountain in Via della Fortuna. Water flowed from the stone head of the bull. The object is located in Pompeii.Więcej

Great Roman clay vessel

A large Roman clay vessel in front of one of the buildings (Insula 8) with a “patch” of lead. The object located in Pompeii.Więcej

Ancient stele of Seikilos and oldest surviving musical composition in world

Ancient stele funded by Seikilos, discovered at Aydın, near Ephesus, in the west of Turkey. The object is an extremely unique find, as it has the oldest musical composition in the world. The artifact is…Więcej

Roman inscription “Olium”

Roman inscription “Olium” on the wall of the building in Pompeii, where olive oil was sold.Więcej

Roman mosaic showing lion biting horses

Roman mosaic showing a lion biting a horse. The object adorned the floor of a villa in Hadrumetum, in what is now Tunisia. Dated to the 2nd century CE; currently in the J. Paul Getty…Więcej

Pompeian fresco depicting fish

Pompeian fresco depicting fish. The painting is in the House of a certain P. Cornelius Tages (Reg I, Ins 7, 10-12). The building is a typical house of a middle-class merchant who made a fortune…Więcej

Battle of Aquae Sextiae – great victory of Romans

The Battle of Aquae Sextiae in southern Gaul, fought in 102 BCE, was one of the most important military victories in the history of the Roman Republic. This engagement ended the immediate threat from the…Więcej

Old women in Rome

Roman writers and the upper Roman classes in general, despite their privileged position, were afraid to go too far in criticizing women, as it could cost them a lot (women were treated with some respect,…Więcej

Roman bas-relief from Sudeley Castle

Roman bas-relief showing a figure that is not entirely visible. Perhaps it is the figure of a warrior drawing an arrow. The object was found in the 19th century in the grounds of Sudeley Castle…Więcej

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