Curiosities of ancient Rome
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Cecilia Paulina – wife of brutal emperor Maximinus the Thrax
Cecilia Paulina was the wife of Maximinus Thrax, the Roman emperor who reigned in the years 235–238 CE. Although her character remains somewhat mysterious and we have little information about her in historical sources, we can learn some interesting facts ... Read more
“Praecepta ad filium” – wisdom of Cato the Elder for his son
“Praecepta ad filium” (i.e. “Maxims addressed to his son”) is a work that is traditionally attributed to the famous Roman politician, military man and writer, Cato the Elder (234-149 BCE), and which is considered the first Roman encyclopedia. “Maxims addressed ... Read more
Bust of Empress Livia
Bust of Empress Livia, who lived in 58 BCE – 29 CE. The object was discovered in Asia Minor and dates back to the beginning of the 1st century CE. The artifact is located in Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen ... Read more
De agri cultura – Cato’s work on farm management
De agri cultura (On farming) is one of the oldest works of Roman literature, written by Cato the Elder (Marcus Porcius Cato, lived in the years 234-149 BCE) in the 2nd century BCE. It is the first surviving textbook on ... Read more
Sumptuariae leges – laws regulating lavish lifestyle of Romans
Sumptuariae leges were laws that were intended to regulate expenses and limit luxuries in Roman society. These acts concerned, among others, clothing, food, lavish celebrations, or the number of servants that could be kept. The purpose of these regulations was ... Read more
Venus on Roman sculpture
Venus on Roman sculpture. The object was discovered in the Baths of Hadrian in Aphrodisias in Asia Minor; dating back to the 2nd century CE. The artifact is located in Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (Denmark).
Roman woman depicted on sculpture
Roman woman depicted on a sculpture from the mid-1st century CE. The object was discovered in the Licinian tomb in Rome. The artifact is located in Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen (Denmark).
Narcissus – wrestler and trainer who killed Commodus
Narcissus was a Roman wrestler and gladiator who went down in history for participating in a conspiracy to kill Emperor Commodus (reigned 177-192 CE). He was the emperor’s wrestling coach, but as Commodus became increasingly tyrannical and unstable, a conspiracy ... Read more
Gaius Julius Caesar the Elder – who was Julius Caesar’s father?
Julius Caesar’s father, Gaius Julius Caesar the Elder (Gaius Julius Caesar), was a Roman politician from the influential Julius family (gens Julia), which in turn traced its origins to the legendary Aeneas and the goddess Venus. He held several public ... Read more
Lucerna – what was it used for by ancient Romans?
Roman oil lamp (lucerna) is an everyday item that was widely used in ancient Rome to illuminate homes, temples and other spaces. Made of clay, bronze, and sometimes marble, these lamps had a characteristic shape with a spout for the ... Read more
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