Underground part of Aqua Traiana
The photo shows the underground part of Aqua Traiana, which transported water from an underground source located under an abandoned 13th-century church on the shores of Lake Bracciano.
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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.
Gallic-Roman Hermaphrodite
The statuette shows a Gallic-Roman Hermaphrodite. The object is dated from 2nd – 3rd century CE and is about 10 cm tall.
Autopsy of body of Julius Caesar
After the murder of Julius Caesar on March 15, 44 BCE, the conspirators originally planned to expel the former dictator’s body in the Tiber. Ultimately, however, for unknown reasons, they left his bloodied body in Pompey’s theater. Thanks to this, the doctor Antistius could perform an autopsy.
Remains of Roman road Via Delle Gallie
Preserved, carved in the stone Roman arch, which was on the so-called Via Delle Gallie – the Roman road that crossed the Aosta Valley towards Gaul. The road was 5 meters wide. Next to arch is located a milestone marking the XXXVI Roman mile (53 km), calculated from Aosta. The road led from Eporedia (Ivrea) to Augusta Praetoria Salassorum (Aosta).
Romans and microbiology
How did the Romans cope with their diseases and were they even aware of their aetiology? The answer to this is the “De Re Rustica” of Terentius Varro. This may surprise us, but hundred years ago we were aware of the presence of microorganisms and their pathogenic effect on humans!
Roman silver coins
Roman silver antoninianus coins, dated back to 3rd century CE. Objects were found in province of Vojvodina, northern Serbia.
Sardonic grin
The ancient author, Isidore of Seville in his work (Etymologiarum sive originum libri XX) mentions a surprising plant – herba sardonica – which was supposed to have surprising lethal properties. The victim who took a decoction from this Sardinian herb died with a smile on his face.
Marcus Aurelius did not want another wedding after death of his wife
Marcus Aurelius, after the death of his wife, Faustina, who was younger than himself, was to resist the next marriage. He explained that he wanted to avoid any pressure from his stepmother on numerous offspring (Faustina and Aurelius had at least 12 children).
