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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.

Opium – remedy known to ancient Romans

Opium – a narcotic substance produced from opium poppy capsules (Papaver somniferum) – was already known in antiquity, from about 1000 BCE. We also have evidence that the cultivation of these plants was also present in ancient Rome.

30 June 2019

Who was greatest general of ancient world?

Titus Livius mentions that the two great generals of the Second Punic War: Scipio Africanus and Hannibal Barkas met at the gymnasium in Ephesus. Then Scipio asked Hannibal who he thought is the best commander in history.

30 June 2019

Colored bust of Hannibal

Colored bust of the carthaginian general Hannibal Barkas. He was one of the greatest opponents of Rome and one of the greatest generals in history.

30 June 2019

In Vindolanda, Roman sole of woman’s shoe was discovered

In Vindolanda (northern England) archaeologists found Roman shoe. This is the leather sole of a woman’s shoe. It is dated to mid 2nd century CE.

29 June 2019

Roman sole of a woman's shoe was discovered in Vindolanda

Graeculus – “little Greek”

The ancient Romans had a strange approach to the Greeks. On the one hand, they considered them worse, but on the other hand, due to their culture, they placed them on a higher pedestal, next to the Persians, and lower than the northern peoples: Gauls or Germans.

29 June 2019

Roman frescoe of peacock

Roman frescoe of a peacock from so called “Cupid tomb”. Object is dated to 4th century CE. It was found at remains of Viminacium, Roman town located near Kostolac, eastern Serbia.

28 June 2019

Proscription in ancient Rome

Proscription (proscriptio, pl. proscriptiones) was originally in ancient Rome announcing the auction of the debtor’s property, and later enlisting of outlaws – political opponents and in consequence depriving them of their citizenship, property and sentencing to exile. Prudential children and grandchildren were marked with infamy.

28 June 2019

Print showing the announcement of the proscription lists

Roman marble head of Lucilla

Roman marble head of Lucilla, daughter of emperor Marcus Aurelius and Faustina the Younger. She was sister of emperor Commodus. Object is dated back to 2nd century CE. Currently located in Museo Archeologico Ostiense in Rome.

27 June 2019

Death of Cicero

In 43 BCE Cicero was on the list of proscribed (outlaws), arranged by triumvirs: Antony, Octavian and Lepidus. The greatest supporter of the death of the speaker was Antony, who hated him. On December 7, 43 BCE Cicero died in his villa in Formianum. The murder of Cicero caused a great stir.

27 June 2019

Trial of Publius Sulla

In 62 BCE Publius Sulla was accused together with his brother Servius by Lucius Torquatus – son of his rival for the office of consul in 65 BCE – for participation in the Catilinarian conspiracy. The defence of the accused was taken by two of the best lawyers in Rome – Cicero and Hortensius.

26 June 2019