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 amphora in which wine was stored

A piece of a Roman amphora that was found in Colchester (England). There is a painted inscription “FAL LOLL” on the pottery, which suggests that the amphora was used to store Falernia wine, one of…Więcej

Roman portrait of man on mummy

Roman portrait of a man on a mummy from Egypt. Object dated to the 1st century CE and is currently in the Ipswich Museum (England). The painting belongs to the so-called groups of Fayum portraits.…Więcej

Ulpia Marciana with diadem-shaped hairstyle

Statue of Ulpia Marciana – the older sister of Emperor Trajan – who has a characteristic diadem-shaped hairstyle. The emperor greatly appreciated the opinion of his sister, who traveled a lot with him. He dedicated…Więcej

Gallus’ war campaign in Arabia

With the addition of Egypt to the Roman Empire in 30 BCE, Augustus saw a number of problems related to the new province. Regular invasions by the Kushites began from the south, and Arab pirates…Więcej

Fight between rooster and turtle on Roman mosaic

Roman mosaic showing the rivalry between a rooster and a turtle. The object comes from Aquileia in northern Italy. In the early Christian tradition, the fight of animals symbolized the clash between good and evil…Więcej

Bust showing actor Caius Norbanus Sorex

Roman bronze bust showing a certain Caius Norbanus Sorex – a Roman actor. The object is dated to 25 BCE – 14 CE. The man’s bust was part of a herma, a column decorated with…Więcej

Roman pocket knife

The ancient Romans had multi-purpose tools similar to today’s pocket knives of the Swiss army. Such a tool had: a knife, a spoon, a three-tooth fork, a pick and a spatula. Such a pocket knife…Więcej

Roman figurine depicting secutor

Roman figurine depicting a secutor gladiator who was well-armed and usually fought against a retiarius. The object is made of bronze and dates back to the 4th century CE. The artifact was found near ancient…Więcej

Mural from Ostia showing subsidizing of ship

A mural from Ostia – a Roman port – showing the loading of a merchant ship named Isis Giminiana with grain. Object dated to the 2nd-3rd century CE. Located in the Vatican Museums in Rome.Więcej

Reconstruction of sculpture of Augustus of Prima Porta

Reconstruction of the famous sculpture of Octavian Augustus of Prima Porta by History in 3D. The color residues on the object were visible to the naked eye shortly after its discovery. However, thanks to the…Więcej

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