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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.
In 2013, during conservation work on the wall of the corridor at the Colosseum, scientists noticed a previously overlooked drawing of a phallus erection – dated to the third century CE. It turns out that ancient supporters inscribed such phalluses on the walls to ensure the success of their favorites, i.e. gladiators. What else did the Romans place on the walls?
In 2007, a unique discovery was made on the northeastern slope of the Palatine. Clementina Panella at the head of the research team found a mysterious chest inside which were located imperial banners (signa imperii) and the scepter of the Roman emperor.
The “Augustan History” (Historia Augusta) is a late Roman collection of biographies, written in Latin, of the Roman Emperors from begining of rule of Hadrian (117 CE) to death of Numerian (284 CE). This is one of the historical sources around which, however, still are many doubts.
Gaius Sempronius Gracchus was the younger brother of Tiberius Gracchus, with whom he acted at the end of the 2nd century BCE in defense of the plebeians and proposed reforms to repair Rome’s political system. Over time, however, as a result of persecution from the optimates, he died sharing the fate of his brother.
Roman gold key ring, dated back to 3rd – 4th century CE. Inside there is an onyx cameo with the image of a hand holding the ear and inscription “MNHMNEYE”, “Remember[about me]”.
Roman marble head of an old woman wearing a kerchief. This is Roman copy of a Hellenistic original from the 3rd – 2nd century BCE.
Suburra was part of ancient Rome, located in a valley between the southern end of Viminal and the western slopes of Esquiline. In ancient times, at first it was a separate settlement, then incorporated into Rome, finally became a crowded district inhabited by the urban poor (very often in insulae). Suburra was also known as the Red Light District.
