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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.
Golden Roman ring with image of Minerva
Golden Roman ring with the image of the goddess Minerva. Dated to the 4th century CE.
Commodus fought as gladiator
Emperor Commodus – reigning in 180-192 CE – often fought as a gladiator in the arena, armed with an iron sword. His rivals wielded a heavier lead weapon to make it harder for them to hurt the ruler.
Roman legionaries on relief
Roman legionaries on a pedestal relief in the ancient Mogontiacum (now Mainz, Germany). The legionary in the foreground was shown in a fighting position: shield in readiness, protects the body; gladius ready to push; legs apart to maintain balance and the left foot without crossing the lower edge of the shield in case the legionary had to lower it to defend himself.
Recipe for Roman cream
Cream recipe by Marcus Gavius Apicius, a gastronome from the times of Octavian Augustus and Tiberius.
3D reconstruction of palace Felix Romuliana
Amazing 3D animation showing the Roman imperial palace Felix Romuliana, in which the emperor Galerius resided (293-311 CE). The site was located near Zaječar, eastern Serbia – the Gamzigrad archaeological site.
Rhapta – ancient market in south-east Africa
In the famous “Periplus of the Erythraean Sea”1 – a manuscript from the turn of the 1st century CE, which served merchants navigating the waters between East Africa and India – we can find a place called “Rhapta”, which is described as “the last marketplace of Azania” and was located two days south of the so-called Menouthias Islands (it is suspected that it could have been Zanzibar, Mafia or Pemba).
Breastfeeding in Roman times
The rich Roman matrons did not breastfeed their children. For these purposes, slaves or freedmen were usually used.
