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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.
Penthiacum is one of the dishes eaten in antiquity, and which was mentioned by Petronius in the “Trimalchio’s feast”. The meal consisted of chopped meat. The name derives from the name of the mythical king Thebes, Pentheus, who according to Greek mythology was killed in fury by Maenad, also called Bacchae.
Decorated object showing Constantine I and Tyche. Object is made of sardonyx; dated back to 4th century CE. It was reworked in the 19th century by Benedetto Pistrucci.
The formal procedure for liberation of the slave (manumissio vindicta) took place in front of the praetor or consul and only with his consent (addictio). At least three people had to take part in the process: a slave, an owner and an outsider (adsertor libertatis) who was free and certified the freedom of a slave.
During the civil war between Caesar and Pompey there was a surprising incident. In the year 48 BCE legio XXIV Victrix Rapax commanded by legate Gaius Antonius (brother of Mark Antony) was cut off on the island and surrounded by faithful troops of Pompey.
The main difference between a male and a female gladiator was the fact that a woman fighting in the arena was not a slave. Probably in the later Roman period, gladiatrices (singular gladiatrix) were also people from slavery. Originally, however, women voluntarily took part in gladiatorial battles, seeking adventures.
Rare example of a Roman glass, painted cup decorated with a motif depicting a stage from the theater. Certainly the subject belonged to a representative of the Roman elite.
Description of zodiac signs according to Trimalchio, character of “The Banquet of Trimalchio” of Petronius.
