Idea of martyrdom
Christianity in its origins differed quite significantly from what we know in its present form, although the idea of martyrdom raises vivid emotions among the faithful to this day and is still through it appreciated and praised.
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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.
Roman tap for draining water
Roman bronze tap for draining water from a cistern (castellum acquae). Object dated to the 1st BCE – 2nd century CE. The object is located in the Archeology Museum of Acque di Chianciano Terme (Italy).
Sponsiones
Sponsiones were ceremonial promises, sureties and collaterals. Simply put, it was a verbal contract where one party asked the other if the other party promised to fulfil a certain benefit. If that person agreed, a bet was placed.
Well-preserved Roman helmet from Serbia
Well-preserved ancient Roman helmet from the 2nd century CE, which was found in the town of Sivac (northern Serbia). The object is currently in the collection of the museum in Sombor.
Well-preserved Roman bust of man
In the American Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) there is a wonderfully preserved Roman bust of a man from the mid-1st century CE. It is either a copy of previous work or an original made in a realistic style.
Roman camp at Loudoun Hill
There was once a Roman camp at Loudon Hill (southern Scotland), the remains of which, however, were largely destroyed by gravel excavation in 1955. The discovery was made in 1938 by J.K. St. Joseph and assessed that the camp dates back to the rule of the Flavian dynasty (68-96 CE) and distinguished 4 periods of the camp’s existence.
Fighting wild animal on mosaic
Fragment of a mosaic floor from a Roman villa in Nennig (western Germany), showing a fight with a wild animal, probably a bear.
Family of Julius descended from Venus
Roman mythology is said to be a carbon copy of Greek and Etruscan beliefs. This is true in many cases, although there are interesting exceptions.
Reconstruction of Ratae Corieltauvorum
Reconstruction of Ratae Corieltauvorum, a Roman city in Britain, in the place where is now located English Leicester.
Roman mosaic showing tiger
Roman mosaic showing a tiger/lion with a bizarre appearance. This detail is part of a larger composition that shows little Bacchus, the god of wine and fun, sitting on a tiger and drinking wine. Object was found in the House of the Faun in Pompeii. Currently in the collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
