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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 tombstone with portrait of priest

Roman tombstone with a portrait of priest from Palmyra (Syria) and an Aramaic inscription. The object dates to the II century CE; was found in the Roman Singidunum (now Belgrade, Serbia). The object is located in the National Museum of Serbia in Belgrade.

Roman tombstone stele with a portrait of a priest

Roman inscription from Trenčín

In the vicinity of the castle in Trenčín (Roman camp Laurgaricio) in Slovakia, a preserved inscription was found, which, as it turned out, was carved by Roman legionaries during the Marcomannic Wars (167-180 CE), fought during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Roman inscription from Trencin

Panel showing death of Judas and crucifixion of Christ

Ivory panel showing the death of Judas and the crucifixion of Christ. This is one of the earliest representations of the crucifixion that has survived to our time. The object dates to the 5th century CE. Currently, it is in The British Museum in London.

Panel showing the death of Judas and the crucifixion of Christ

Plans to create provinces: Marcomania and Sarmatia

Marcomannic Wars were fights in the years 166-180 CE between the Roman Empire and hostile barbarous tribes: the Quadi, the Iazyges and Marcomanni. According to the “Historia Augusta” account, Marcus Aurelius was ultimately seeking to create two new Roman provinces: Sarmatia and Marcomania, as evidenced by the medallion found in Cyprus dedicated to Marcus Aurelius and his son Commodus, with the inscription PROPAGATORIBVS IMPERII, meaning “those who expanded the borders of the Empire”.

Relief from Marcus Aurelius' column

Rule of law by Gaius Verres?

It is probably known to everyone a phenomenon in the form of Gaius Verres and his abuses as governor of Sicily. He was so bold and greedy in his actions that we can expect that there was no sanctity for him or any border that he could not cross in his abuses against the state and private persons, as evidenced by the refusal to give Corinthian vases to Mark Antony in 43 BCE, for which he paid with his life.

Cicrero

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