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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.
Big pine cone in Rome
In the annex of the Vatican walls there is a giant pine cone (called Fontana della Pigna or simply Pigna), which once served as a fountain in Roman times.
Reconstruction of Maritime Theater in Hadrian’s villa
A wonderful reconstruction of the so-called Maritime Theater at Hadrian’s villa, made by Progetto Katatexilux.
Roman fibula in shape of fibula
Roman crossbow-shaped fibula made of gilded bronze. The object dates to the 4th century CE; dug at the remains of the imperial palace in Gamzigrad, in eastern Serbia.
St. Ambrose from Milan – architect of Middle Ages
In 390 CE emperor Theodosius I, at the instigation of the Church, issued a bill under which every homosexual act is to be punished: “When a man marries [a man] as a woman offering herself to men (quum vir nubit in feminam viris porrecturam), what can he be seeking, where gender has lost its place; when the crime is one which it is not profitable to know; when Venus is changed to another form; when love is sought and not found? We order the statutes to arise, the laws to be armed with an avenging sword, that those infamous persons who are now, or who hereafter may be, guilty may be subjected to exquisite punishment”.
Roman figurine showing eagle
Roman figurine showing eagle, made of bronze. The object is dated to II-III century CE. The item was found near Veliko Gradište, in eastern Serbia. It is suspected that it once could have been part of vexillum – the Roman military standard. Currently, it is located in the museum in Veliko Gradište.
