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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.
A qualified hairdresser (tonsor) in Rome could make a career and earn good money. It should be noted, however, that shaving was not very pleasant and easy at the time. The Romans used much worse steel than we do today, and it has often happened that the razor (novacula) quickly blunted. In addition to shaving, cutting and waxing, hairdressers also offered the removal of individual facial hair with tweezers (volsella).
Roman bust of a man from around 15 BCE. The object was found in Augusta Emerita (modern Merida, Spain).
Roman denarius, minted in 48-47 BCE, commemorating the triumph of Julius Caesar in Gaul. The coin is of propaganda nature due to the fact that Caesar was already in a dictatorship at that time.
Roman women lubricated their faces with lead paste, which whitened their skin (pallor was extremely fashionable). Lead has often been used as a sweetener and food preservative. It is believed that using a large amount of defrutum (sweet wine) badly affected the health of the Romans. However, it should be mentioned that in ancient times no one knew about the harmful meaning of this element.
Not everyone in ancient Rome dreamed of holding high and prestigious offices. Retor and sophist from the 2nd century CE Aelius Aristides, a Greek from Asia Minor, one of Asclepius’ most ardent followers, is an example of persistent avoidance of service to the state, and he did it extremely effectively.
Most people talk about Roman fun and entertainment, paying particular attention to gladiator fights, libraries, theatre, etc. The above-mentioned entertainments were undoubtedly of great value to the ancient Romans, but they took place only once in a while. So how did they fill this waiting time?
The slave revolt under Spartacus, in the years 73-71 BCE, was finally suppressed by Marcus Crassus and partly by Pompey Magnus. It was the largest slave uprising in ancient Rome. Most of the insurgents were killed in direct fighting. However, six thousand prisoners captured by Crassus’ legions were crucified on the Appian road from Rome to Capua, where the rebellion began.
Roman coach with footstool, which were again assembled from preserved fragments. Both of these furniture are made of ivory and have glass inserts (it is not certain whether the glass originally decorated the furniture). The object dates to the 1st – 2nd century CE.
Roman rectal speculum. The earliest mention of this tool comes from Hippocrates, who wrote that when the patient lies on his back, the doctor can use the tool to assess the degree of intestinal ulceration.
When, in the first century CE, during the reign of emperor Claudius, the Romans invaded the British Isles. The hordes of Celtic warriors, despite fierce and courageous resistance, finally had to succumb to criminal and well-trained legionaries, and “Pax Romana” quickly became an accomplished fact on the islands. However, not everyone liked the Roman occupation. The most numerous group in the anti-Roman opposition were druids, whom the Romans ruthlessly persecuted. But who were the druids?
