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.

Beautiful Roman colored wine jug

A beautiful Roman-colored wine jug with the image of the priest Bacchus – the god of wine and intoxication. The vessel was made using the blown glass method.Więcej

Tablet with instructions for deceased

Over the years, archaeologists have found extremely interesting finds throughout the Mediterranean, including Sicily, southern Italy, northern Greece and Crete. We are talking about tablets with instructions for the dead, which were to help souls…Więcej

Beautifully crafted pyxis dish

Pyxis made of bones with the image of a golden ivy leaf. Pyxis was a vessel with a lid used in Greek and Roman culture. Jewelry and toiletries were kept there. Ivy leaf in ancient…Więcej

Tomb of Roman legionary Lucius Poblicius

The tomb of the Roman legionary Lucius Poblicius, built between 40 and 50 CE is one of the most impressive exhibits of the Römisch Germanisches Museum in Cologne. It is believed to be the best-preserved…Więcej

Roman fresco depicting punishment of Amor by Venus

Roman fresco depicting the punishment of Amor by Venus. The object was found in Pompeii and is dated to 25 BCE. It is currently stored at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples (Italy).Więcej

Misunderstanding of Caesar’s speech

According to Suetonius, when Julius Caesar in 49 BCE crossed the Rubicon, he decided to appear at a rally in front of his soldiers and speak to them to prove his point. During the speech,…Więcej

Roman theater in Pietravairano

A wonderful Roman theater in Pietravairano, in Campania, in central Italy. There was a temple at the top of the hill. The facility has been recently renovated.Więcej

Tombstone of Roman silversmith

Tombstone of a Roman goldsmith, one Publius Curtilius Agatho. The man was a freedman and died in the early 1st century CE. His names “Publius Curtilius” came from his former owner. His proper name/nickname (Agatho)…Więcej

Plan of Roman house

The plan shows a typical Roman house (domus) in ancient Rome. Obviously, the number of rooms and the structure changed, depending on the times and wealth of the host; nevertheless, the layout and location of…Więcej

Roman stone “bathtub” in which fullers worked

Stone “bathtub”, where the foiling took place (the so-called fullonica), ie the smoothing of the fabric; cleaning or wiping. The property is located in the house of a man named Stephanus on Via del Abbondante…Więcej

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