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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.

Evolution of power after the principle

In the third century CE the rulers of Rome began gradually to depart from the appearances of the Republic. The growing political ambitions of the emperors led to the expulsion of the rest of the institutions. Aurelian introduced the dominant system in the second half of the 3rd century CE, taking the title dominus et deus (“Our Lord and God”). Diocletian made at the end of the 3rd century CE reconstruction of the state administration, creating a tetrarchy system.

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4 April 2019
A chariot race in a Roman fresco

Piso’s justice

Seneca the Younger mentions an interesting story of Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso, the Roman governor of Syria and Roman politics (44 BCE – 20 CE) who was to get angry when he heard that only one of the two soldiers returned from a leave of absence.

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3 April 2019
Centurion with a stick

Roman ivory comb

Roman comb, made of ivory, probably from the third to fourth century CE. This two-sided object probably comes from the woman’s grave. There is an inscription on the comb saying: “Modestino, goodbye” (however, there is no certainty about the last word that can be misread).

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3 April 2019
Ivory comb of Modestina

Balkerne Gate ruins in Colchester

Balkerne Gate ruins in Colchester (south-east England) at night, dated to the first century CE. It is the largest and best preserved Roman gate that has survived to our times.

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2 April 2019
The ruins of Balkerne Gate in Colchester

Painting of Roman Christians

Christ along with two saints (Saint Gorgonius and Saint Tyburcio) and above the four martyrs in the fresco of Roman Christians from the 4th century CE. The work is in one of the crypts of the Catacombs of Saint Marcelin and Peter in Rome at Via Latina.

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2 April 2019
Painting of Roman Christians

Emperor’s speech to assembled soldiers

Adlocutio was the emperor’s speech to the assembled soldiers. In general, the ruler directed them to soldiers before the commencement of the war campaign, during a visit or on another particularly important occasion. Adlocutio can be seen only on numismatic monuments, where usually the emperor is standing on the tribune (suggestus), assisted by praefectus castrorum, who directs his speech towards the army presented in the form of ensigns (signifer).

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30 March 2019
Bas-relief showing the speech of the emperor

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