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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.

Sculpture of Agrippina the Younger

Sculpture of Agrippina the Younger, Empress of Rome, mother of Nero, from the second half of the 1st century CE. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

Sculpture of Agrippina the Younger

Woman on Roman wall fresco

On the wall of one of the Roman houses in Pompeii you can see a beautiful fresco showing a young woman. The clear colors have still been preserved to this day.

Woman on a Roman wall fresco

Pan with basket of fruit

Pan with a basket of fruit. The marble sculpture dates back to the 1st century CE. The object was found and is now located in Pompeii.

Pan with basket of fruit

Rape, erotic foursome and souvenir of marital love

According to the canonical version of the founding myth of Rome, Rhea Silvia was the daughter of Numitor, king of the city of Alba Longa (“proto-Rome”). Numitor was dethroned by his brother Amulius. Amulius sentenced Rhea Silvia to eternal virginity. The god Mars found Rhea Silvia sleeping in a grove dedicated to him. According to legend, he raped her. The result of this event were the twins: Romulus and Remus.

Mars and Rhea Silvia front of the sargophag from Palazzo Mattei in Rome

Apollo and Daphne

Roman fresco showing the god of art, Apollo, playing the lyre and in love with Daphne. The object dates back to the 1st century CE. Discovered in Pompeii; the artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

Apollo and Daphne

Roman fresco showing centaur paying homage

Roman fresco showing a centaur paying homage to the Thessalian prince Peiritous and Hippodameia during their wedding. The object dates back to the 1st century CE; discovered in Pompeii. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

Roman fresco showing centaur paying homage

Republic or empire? – how Octavian Augustus changed system without changing it

Which version of Rome is more interesting to you: the republic or the empire? On the one hand, the severity of customs, and on the other, the debauchery and decadence of the emperors. Here the military genius of Scipio Africanus, the morality of Cato and the brilliant speeches of Cicero, and there – Caligula, Nero and a galaxy of other emperors with more or less twisted psyche.

Octavian Augustus

Centaur with hunted wild boar

Centaur with a hunted wild boar. The marble sculpture dates back to the 1st century CE. The object was discovered in Oplontis. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

Centaur with hunted wild boar

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