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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.
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.
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”.
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.
Lanista was the trainer of gladiators. The lanista’s art was probably to train people to fight, and then put them against each other in interesting combinations: for example, the combination of “fishhead” (mirmillo) with “net-man” (retiarius).
Beautiful Roman cavalry helmet from the 1st century CE. The object was discovered in Xanten (Germany). The helmet is partially covered with silver coating. Currently, the artefact is in a museum in Bonn (Germany).
An amazing exhibition showing the full Roman legion, made by Mules of Marius. The exhibition was in September 2015 at the Historisches Museum Regensburg (Germany). In total, there were 5400 legionary models on the board, with 300 different poses and 200 different shield designs. The entire project was created for over five years.
Political violence has existed in Rome for a long time. Often there were fights or scuffles between supporters of various candidates. However, 57 BCE took the violence to a new level.
Roman cities that arose along with the development of the empire were characterized by a specific location resulting from economic premises. As a result of these location rules, it is believed that Roman cities were primarily consumer centres where goods were traded. However, in many cases the location of Roman cities did not coincide with already existing and favourably located settlements. This was due to some characteristics of the urban layout of the Roman city. This arrangement can be seen in preserved cities like Pompeii or Herculaneum.
Remains of towers and defensive walls in the former Roman city of Viminacium (near Kostolac, in eastern Serbia). Objects dated to the 2nd century CE.
