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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.

Modern Roman fresco

Aude Aussilloux and Maud Mulliez worked on a wall-mounted fresco for seven months, using antique technique. For this purpose, they made their own work tools and used non-artificial pigments. The men finally managed to recreate the fresco from Vindobona.

Modern Roman fresco

Pompeii made of LEGO

In Sydney, Australia, the great LEGO fan, Ryan McNaught made a model of Pompey from LEGO. He needed over 500 hours and over 190, 000 blocks to create his project. This is one of the largest historical model made of LEGO. The mock-up shows an ancient Roman city from the year 79 BCE, from the moment before the Vesuvius eruption.

Pompeii from LEGO bricks

Hero Marcus Atilius Regulus

Marcus Atilius Regulus is one of the Roman heroes who embodied the most important virtues: bravery (virtus) and duty towards the state (officium). During First Punic War (264-241 BCE), he fought against Carthaginian army and even threatened capital, Carthage. However, in the spring of the year 255 BCE, there was a battle at Tunis, where the Carthaginian army completely smashed Regulus’s army and he was taken as prisoner.

Marcus Regulus

“Fabian strategy”

After the destruction of Roman army in the battle of Lake Trasimeno in 217 BCE, Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus Cunctator (“the delayer”) was entrusted with the dictator’s dignity to save the Republic’s in a crisis situation. Fabius decided to avoid an open confrontation with the army of Hannibal, leading the war against the Carthaginians. His plan was to follow the legions behind Hannibal’s army at such a distance that there was no short circuit, and at the same time not lose sight of the rival.

Quintus Fabius "the Delayer"

Emporium

Emporium in antiquity was a municipal square where goods imported by sea were stored. In Rome, the emporium, founded in 192 BCE, was located on the banks of the Tiber River at the foot of the Aventine Hill.

Shore of the Tiber

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