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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.

Lyon Tablet – speech of Claudius

A so-called “Lyon Tablet” is a preserved bronze plaque on which the words of the speech given by Emperor Claudius (41-54 CE) before the Senate in Rome during the year 48 CE were placed. It was a proposal to recognize Roman citizens from distant Gaul as worthy of admission to the senatorial state, after achieving an appropriate level of wealth.

Lyon Tablet - speech of Claudius

Good wishes from the legionary’s camp

This is a fragment in Latin of a letter from Hostilius Flavianus to Flavius Cerialis, the IX Cohort commanding officer of Batavians stationed at a legionaries’ camp by Hadrian’s wall in about 100-105 CE. He wishes him “a fortunate and happy New Year”.

Good wishes from the legionary's camp

Legal position of women in Rome

What was the legal position of women in ancient Rome? Books on Roman law, including, Witold Wołodkiewicz’s “Prawo rzymskie, Słownik Encyklopedyczny” provide many interesting facts about the rights and obligations that have changed over the centuries and concerned various groups.

Justice

Roman baths in Serbia

Remains of a Roman public baths in the Serbian town of Čačak. The bathhouse had several rooms, swimming pools with hot and cold water and a hypocaustum – a floor and wall heating system.

Roman baths in Serbia

Searching in Roman style

The persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius (249-251 CE), unlike many previous ones, covered the entire empire. Initially, the action was carried out very consistently, and hundreds, if not thousands, were killed. One of the most significant was Pope Fabian, Bishop of Rome from 236-250 CE.

Damnatio ad bestias

Reconstruction of nymphaeum in Amman

Reconstruction of the nymphaeum in Amman (Jordan), which was built in the 2nd century CE. It was a complex of fountains and pools for the worship of Nymphs. Researchers believe that the nymphaeum had a 600 square meter swimming pool, three meters deep. The building was a characteristic element of ancient cities and was often located in a representative place.

Reconstruction of nymphaeum in Amman

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