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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.

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).

7 January 2020

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.

7 January 2020

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

The only survived speech of emperor to soldiers

There is only one speech of the emperor to the soldiers which survived to our times (so-called adlocutio). Its author is the emperor Hadrian, who gave it in the summer of 128 CE in Lambaesis, in present-day Algeria.

7 January 2020

The only surviving speech of the emperor to the soldiers

Amazing Roman mask

Roman mask, made of bronze, which was worn by cavalary-men during the competitions, so-called hippika gymnasia. Dated to 1st – 2nd century CE.

7 January 2020

Bust of Ptolemy of Mauritania – grandson of Cleopatra VII

Roman bust of young Ptolemy of Mauritania, grandson of Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony. The sculpture was made of bronze and dates to the 1st century CE.

6 January 2020

A bust of Ptolemy of Mauretania - the grandson of Cleopatra VII

St. Paul’s Catacombs in Malta

St. Paul’s Catacombs are underground burial chambers from Roman times in the city of Rabat (ancient city of Melite), in central Malta. In addition to these catacombs, we also distinguish the catacombs of St. Agata and Katald.

5 January 2020

Domus Romana in Malta

Domus Romana are the remains of a Roman house in Malta on the border of the cities of Mdina and Rabat (the ancient city of Melite), in the central part of the island. The facility was inhabited in the 1st century BCE – 2nd century CE.

5 January 2020

Getty Villa – unique antique museum

Getty Villa is one of two locations J. Paul Getty Museum – an art museum founded by the oil magnate Jean Paul Getty. Getty Villa was founded in 1974 in Malibu in the Los Angeles agglomeration (USA) and is an educational center and museum dedicated to ancient culture, especially Greece, Rome and Etruria. The museum’s collection includes about 44,000 antique objects, dated 6500 BC. up to 400 CE.

5 January 2020

Bit of “Romanness” in Malta Maritime Museum

Being in Malta and looking for traces of ancient Romans, we can accidentally reach the Malta Maritime Museum in Birgu (near the capital – Valetta). It is reportedly the largest museum on the island – with over 20,000 objects. The museum shows the maritime history of the island from ancient times to modern times. A small fragment of the exhibition was also dedicated to the Phoenicians and Romans.

5 January 2020

A bit of "Romanness" at the Malta Maritime Museum

Roman Baths in Malta

In Malta, there are Roman remains of the baths. Those are located near the region of Gnajn Tuffieħa (northwest of the island). The facility was discovered in 1929 when sewage works were carried out.

5 January 2020

Curiosities of ancient Rome

Portrait of Trajan as elderly man

Respect before the power of Rome

The only survived speech of emperor to soldiers

Amazing Roman mask

Bust of Ptolemy of Mauritania – grandson of Cleopatra VII

St. Paul’s Catacombs in Malta

Domus Romana in Malta

Getty Villa – unique antique museum

Bit of “Romanness” in Malta Maritime Museum

Roman Baths in Malta

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Curiosities of ancient Rome

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