Roman fish-shaped crystal
Roman fish-shaped crystal. Dated to the 1st century CE.
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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 skyscrapers
In 1884, the first skyscraper was built in Chicago, USA. It was 42 meters high. Shortly afterwards, the New York World Building exceeded a hundred meters. In both cases, however, it was only an imitation of the ancient Romans. The first skyscrapers grew in ancient Rome. They were insulae, including the most famous of them, the real miracle and singularity of the city – Insula Felicles.
Chained skeleton from Roman cemetery
In 2013, the remains of a Roman cemetery were found in south-eastern France. This year, hundreds of Roman graves were discovered, among which were chained skeletons.
Roman channel that supplied water to castle in Turkey
Next to the ancient Roman castle of Zerzevan (southeastern Turkey) there are remains of a Roman water channel that supplied water to 54 cisterns.
Roman legionary mask
Legionary’s mask, found in the town of Kalkriese (Germany), the alleged site of the battle in the Teutoburg Forest in 9 CE, which took place between Germanic tribes led by Arminius and Roman legions led by Varus.
Roman statue showing goat
Roman bronze statue of a goat. The object dates to the 1st century BCE. Dimensions: height – 23 cm; length – 19 cm.
Pigeon-shaped Roman lamp
Pigeon-shaped Roman lamp. The object dates to the 1st – 2nd century CE; made of silver and garnet. Dimensions: height – 11 cm, length – 14 cm.
Fresco showing port of Stabiae
A fresco showing the port of Stabiae, located near Pompeii. Dated to the 1st century CE. The city was completely destroyed in 79 CE, as a result of the eruption of Vesuvius. Pliny the Elder died on the spot, as he came to see the phenomenon closely and to save people.
Eagle and wolf on Roman coin
Roman silver denarius, minted in 45 BCE, on the reverse of which a wolf and an eagle can be seen – symbols of Rome. The scene has an extremely lofty message – the animals cooperate in maintaining the holy fire of goddess Vesta (goddess of home and state) in the temple at Forum Romanum: the wolf adds a branch to the fire, and the eagle stands guard over it.
Roman portrait of man from middle of 3rd century CE
Roman portrait of a man from the middle of the 3rd century CE. The object is 26.5 cm high.
