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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.

Attempt to curb governors’ offences

Ancient Romans after they conquered in the second century BCE a large part of the Mediterranean, they had to learn to rule the conquered peoples. Often, however, governors used their offices to exploit the inhabitants and generate their wealth.

Roman senators

Roman skeleton and glass bottle

Roman skeleton and glass bottle were found in an ancient grave from the 4th century CE. The tomb was in the necropolis of Jagodin Mala (ancient Naissus), today’s city of Nis, southeast Serbia.

Roman skeleton and a glass bottle

Hairpins in shape of women’s busts

Roman hairspins in the shape of women’s busts. The objects were made of ivory and are dated to the 1st- 2nd century CE. Objects were found in one of the graves in the remains of Viminacium, a Roman city located near modern Kostolac, in eastern Serbia. Currently, the objects are in the collection of the museum in Požarevac.

Hair clips in the shape of women's busts

Reconstruction of theater in Leptis Magna

Computer reconstruction of the theater in Leptis Magna, in present-day Libya. The building was built around the year 1-2 CE, but it was enlarged and decorated over the years. Finally, it could seat up to 16,000 spectators. The building was decorated with numerous sculptures, images of gods, emperors and rich citizens who co-financed the expansion of the place. Behind the stage structures have been particularly well preserved.

Reconstruction of the theater in Leptis Magna

Unique amphitheater in El Jem

Roman amphitheater in El Jem (ancient city of Thysdrus, northern Tunisia) is one of the best-preserved buildings of this type from the times of the Roman Empire. It was built in the years 230-238 CE, and the initiative to create the building probably came from the proconsul and the later emperor Gordian I. Since 1979, the building has been on the UNESCO list of protected monuments.

Amphitheater in El Jem

Coin to honor victories in Britain

Golden aureus minted between 46-47 CE during the reign of Emperor Claudius. The coin was created in honour of the first victories of the Romans in Britain. This is evidenced by the visible triumphal arch, an inscription referring to Britain, the silhouette of the horseman (perhaps Claudius himself) and a tropheum made of the opponent’s weapons.

Coin in honor of the victories in Britain

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