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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.

Man with rooster head on mosaic

Roman mosaic showing the mysterious figure of a man with the head of a rooster. The object comes from Brading Villa on the Isle of Wight in England. Scientists suspect that the character may satirically depict the emperor Constantius Gallus (reigned in 351-354 CE), whose nickname means “cock” in Latin. The mosaic is dated to the 4th century CE.

A man with a rooster's head on a mosaic

Black and white Roman mosaic showing stork

Black and white Roman mosaic showing a stork approaching a snake. The object decorated the caldarium (swimming pool with hot water) at Villa della Pisanella in Boscoreale (Italy). Dated to the end of the 1st century CE. You can now admire the mosaic in the Antiquarium di Boscoreale.

A black and white Roman mosaic showing a stork

Senatus consultum ultimum

Senatus consultum ultimum1, or “final decree of the Senate”, was an extraordinary resolution adopted by the Roman Senate in the event of a significant threat to the state. This term took shape during the late republic and was intended to inform high officials of Rome of the existing danger.

Gaius Gracchus summoned by the senate, Pierre-Nicolas Brisset

Roman children’s toy in shape of bed

Roman children’s toy in the shape of a bed, carved from animal bone. The object dates to the 2nd – 3rd century CE. The artefact was in the girl’s grave at the Pećine archaeological site, near the ancient Viminacium (near present-day Kostolac, in eastern Serbia). The object is on display in the museum in Požarevac.

Roman children's bed-shaped toy

Roman figurine of Apollo

Roman figurine of Apollo, made of bronze. The object dates to the 2nd – 3rd century CE. The artefact was found in the ancient Singidunum (now Belgrade, Serbia). Currently, the item can be admired in the city museum of Belgrade.

Roman statue of Apollo

Mons Claudianus – Roman quarry in Egypt

“Mount of Claudius” (Mons Claudianus) was a Roman quarry in the eastern desert of Egypt. This place owes its name to Emperor Claudius, who started mining as first. Grey granite (granodiorite), extremely valuable in ancient Rome, was mined there. The mine had its own garrison, shelters for civilians and workers or a supply and transport centre.

Remains of the Roman camp at Mons Claudianus

Messages on missiles to sling

In the vicinity of the current city of Perugia (central Italy) and the centre itself, numerous missiles up to These little lead nuggets gave us information about what the psychological fight was like in ancient times.

Messages on Roman missiles for proc

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