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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.
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According to Roman terms, every person participating in gladiatorial fights was put under infamy, a loss of honour. This was associated with the deprivation of most public rights, limitation of legal capacity, deprivation of legal protection (e.g. torture could be used). In a legal sense, therefore, each gladiator (with very few exceptions) was on the margins of Roman society.
Roman bronze foot lamp. Object dated to the late 1st century CE.
A preserved head from a Roman statue depicting the Roman Emperor Alexander Severus. Object dated to 222-235 CE; made of bronze. The artefact is in the Archaeological Museum in Dion (Greece).
“Germania” was written around 98 CE by the Roman historian Publius Cornelius Tacitus. It describes the history and situation of the Germanic tribes with whom Rome came into contact. “Germania” didn’t get much attention until the 15th century.
Roman two-handed liquid bottle. The object comes from Palestine and dates back to the 4th century CE.
Beautiful Roman mosaics showing the horsemen of each team: Green (prasina), Blue (venata), White (albata), and Red (russata). The objects are dated to the 3rd century CE and are located in the archaeological museum next to Roma Termini main station. Originally, mosaics adorned the cubiculum floor of Villa dei Severi.
Arch of Constantine the Great on a postcard from the early 20th century and in a painting by Giovanni Antonio Canal from the 18th century. The painting is in the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.
A pair of Roman gold pendants showing comic masks. Objects dated to the 1st century BCE.
Roman statuette depicting a gladiator of “Thraex” type. The warrior is shown wearing a typical helmet with a curved sword. The object is made of bronze and dates back to the 2nd century CE. The object was found in Dubljani (Serbia). Nowadays it can be admired at the National Museum of Serbia in Belgrade.
