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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.

Rich Romans organized wonderful feasts

Rich Romans organized extremely decadent and extravagant feasts that lasted for hours. Unable to swallow the next dishes, the slaves teased their palate with a pen so that they could then vomit the contents of the stomach. In this way they could continue to participate in the meeting.

4 May 2019

Rex bibendi – Roman king of feast

Roman feast (cena) preceded the choice of a specific king of feast (rex bibendi). It was either the host himself or a person known and recognized by fellow-members. The selection was made with a roll of dice: the best throw – called Venus – set the master of the ceremony among others trying to please the guests.

4 May 2019

Antikythera Mechanism

Antikythera Mechanism is an ancient mechanical device that most scientists believe was designed to calculate the positions of celestial bodies. It was originally thought to be some kind of ancient computer. However, the discovery of numerous Greek inscriptions and zodiac signs indicates that it was an astrological device.

4 May 2019

Only son of Caesar

Caesarion was the only child of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra VII. After the death of his father, he remained at the side of his mother, who, together with her lover, suffered a defeat in the civil war with Gaius Octavian. Seventeen-year-old Caesarion, after invasion of Roman army on Alexandria, was sent by his mother, Cleopatra, to the south, where Cleopatra’s ships stood by the bay of the Red Sea.

4 May 2019

Roman glass phalera military decoration

Roman phalera glass military ornament, dated to the 1st century CE. The object was found in Britain.

4 May 2019

Acta Diurna – Roman newspaper

A first and only newspaper of the ancient world was founded by Julius Caesar in 59 BCE. It was called Acta Diurna – “Events of the Day” and, unfortunately, no copy has been preserved so far, and we do not know the amount of its circulation.

3 May 2019

How did Romans hunt tigers?

In Roman times, hunters while tring to catch tigers¹ avoided direct fighting. Instead, they used a trick to steal small tigers from the lair.

3 May 2019

Roman mosaic showing a tigress and a donkey

Geese were holy in Rome

Interestingly, this custom was derived from the story that took place in 390 BCE. At that time, Capitol relied on the invasion of Gauls from the Padus valley.

3 May 2019

Baiae – Roman city under water

Baiae was a fashionable Roman spa with magnificent villas, including those of Caesar and Nero, near the present city of Naples. The greater part of the ancient city is, however, due to volcanic activity under the waters of the Bay of Naples. The region is very seismically active.

3 May 2019

Roman mosaic located under the water in Baiae

Figurine showing captured barbarian

Bronze figurine showing a captured barbarian. The find is dated to the 1st-2nd century CE.

3 May 2019

Curiosities of ancient Rome

Rich Romans organized wonderful feasts

Rex bibendi – Roman king of feast

Antikythera Mechanism

Only son of Caesar

Roman glass phalera military decoration

Acta Diurna – Roman newspaper

How did Romans hunt tigers?

Geese were holy in Rome

Baiae – Roman city under water

Figurine showing captured barbarian

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Curiosities of ancient Rome

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