Roman bust of emperor Gallienus
Roman bust of emperor Gallienus (ruing 261-268 CE). Object currently located in Louvre Museum (Paris, France).
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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 two brothers from Fayum
Fayum portrait of two brothers1 who died at the same time. We do not know what was the cause of death – accident, illness, assault? Both died at a young age.
Caritas Romana
Caritas Romana (“Roman Charity”) is the story of a woman named Pero, secretly breastfeeding her father Cimon after he was condemned to death by starvation. After the discovery of the daughter’s dedication (pietas) Cimon was pardoned.
Io Saturnalia!
Fact that Claudius took the power in 41 CE meant that his freedmen and advisors, Narcissus, Callistus and Pallas, would be involved in ruling in Rome. They were slaves who shared power in such a way that they did no get in the way each other. Narcissus in particular had enormous support from emperor and had a really big influence on his decisions. He often acted on his behalf and represented him.
Death of Caligula
The tyranny and mad rule of Caligula caused that Roman people and elites honestly hated the Emperor and feared for their lives. The most important people in the state were humiliated: for example, the consul Publius Pomponius Secundus was to shoe the emperor’s shoes while watching the spectacle. The emperor at every step also mocked high-ranking officers. Among them was i.e. Cassius Chaerea and Cornelius Sabinus.
Aquilifer – Roman soldier signifer
Aquilifer was Roman Roman soldier signifer bearing the eagle standard of a Roman legion. He belonged to a group of legionaries (principales) and was entitled to double pay (duplicarius). He enjoyed enormous prestige and belonged to the best protected people in the legion during the battle. Not only he did carry the sign of the legion, whose loss was the greatest dishonor for the individual and Rome, but he also probably kept watch over the money of the legion. For this reason, soldiers surrounded him with special protection.
Oldest known bottle with olive oil
In the National Archaeological Museum in Naples, tourists have the opportunity to see a Roman bottle with preserved olive oil – being almost 2000 years old. It is thus the oldest product of its kind in the world.
Vespasian was a good emperor
Emperor Vespasian was known for his intelligence, sympathetic manner, and commanding skills. In the case of natural disasters, he supported poorer senators or equites. Generally, he was generous towards writers and rhetorics, who were paid 1000 gold a year. The first to receive such a grant from the ruler was Quintilian – a public teacher. Pliny the Elder, in turn, his main work “Natural History” was written during the reign of Vespasian, and he dedicated it to the son of the emperor, Titus.
