Roman curse tablet
Roman curse tablet found in London. Dated back to I-IV century CE.
If you have found a spelling error, please, notify us by selecting that text and pressing Ctrl+Enter.
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.
Oldest inscription with ROMA
Probably the oldest inscription with the words ROMA, preserved on the sword, which is dated back to IV century BCE. The “San Vittore Sword” was discovered in 2003 by Dante Sacco. The clue to making the assessment of sword’s origin was the style of engraving Macedonian stars on the sword. The inscription itself says:
Fresco showing Chiron and pupil
Roman fresco of the centaur Chiron instructing the young Achilles in the playing of the lyre. Object found in Herculaneum. Dated back to I century CE; located in Naples Archeological Museum.
Herma
Herma was an architectural decorative element in the form of a square pole tapering downwards, and at the top ended with a bust or a sculpture of the head. Initially (up to the 5th century BCE) the form used in Greece only for the representation of Hermes, the god of the journey. On herma also was placed the image of the phallus, which in ancient times was a symbol of happiness. Later, other gods and heroes were presented in this way.
Satyr annoying panther
A marble sculpture depicting a Satyre annoying the panther. Object dated to the 1st century CE.
Roman dices for game
Roman dices found in a Roman camp near Thrace, in Macedonia. Those probably belonged to one of the legionaries stationed there. Dated back to 3rd century CE.
Roman dagger from Rossington Bridge
Roman dagger. A Roman soldier lost the dagger in the waters and marshland near Rossington Bridge Roman fort. The iron dagger had a bone handle which consisted of several parts, each separated by the iron washers on the existing tang which can still be seen.
Great victory under Tigranocerta
Battle of Tigranocerta was fought on October 6, 69 BCE. It was one of the greatest Roman victories in history. Consisting of nearly 40, 000 Roman army, commanded by Lucius Licinnius Lucullus, opposed the Armenian army under the command of Tigranes the Great, in the strength of 80-100 thousand soldiers. Interestingly, before the battle, both leaders were to say interesting words to their adversaries – although those were probably both apocryphal.
Wild animals and tunnels
During the II war with the Mithridates (73-63 BCE), the Romans, headed by Lucullus to Pontus near the Black Sea coast and besieged the Pontic city of Themyscira1. According to Appian from Alexandria there was an unexpected defense strategy from the inhabitants.
