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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 arm purse

Bronze Roman arm purse. Other objects of this type had coins inside. The object was found on the so-called Barcombe Hill near Vindolanda (northern England). Dated to the 2nd century CE.

Roman arm purse

Vain Cicero

To this day Cicero appears to us as a model of an ideal politician, lawyer and speaker, standing up for his homeland and his clients. Detection of the Catilinarian conspiracy in the late 60s of 1st century BCE brought Cicero enormous glory and splendor, which, however, led him to a pathetic vanity.

Cicero

Roman swastika-shaped fibula

Roman swastika-shaped fibula. The object is made of bronze and dates to the 3rd-4th century CE. The artifact was found near Veliko Gradište, in eastern Serbia.

Roman swastika-shaped fibula

Dangers in Roman toilets

Ancient Rome appears to us as one of the civilizations that became famous for achievements in the field of sewage and hygiene. However, despite the presence of sewers and public toilets, there was some fear among the Romans when they thought of the toilets.

Roman mosaic showing the fight between octopus and cancer

Portrait of Trajan as elderly man

A portrait – in the form of a tondo – showing Trajan as an elderly man, on whom are seen marks of: time and stress. The object is dated 117 CE; shortly before his death. Currently, the artifact is in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara (Turkey).

Portrait of Trajan as an elderly man

Respect before the power of Rome

Ancient Romans were famous for their extremely criminal and legionary Roman legionaries. On the battlefields they were confirming their strength and discipline. However, apart from strength, the Romans had one more argument – they were able to impose their will.

Picture showing Popilius drawing a circle around Antiochus IV. Image: Louis-Jean-François Lagrenée.

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