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Curiosities of ancient Rome
The world of the ancient Romans was rich in extraordinary, and sometimes even surprising, facts. We draw our knowledge of Roman daily life, customs, and mentality primarily from works left by ancient writers and historians. It is thanks to them that we discover information that is astonishing today – sometimes even hard to believe. Below are some interesting facts that reveal a lesser-known and less obvious side of the Roman world.
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Northern gate of Roman fort in Bu Njem in Libya
Remains of the northern gate of the Roman fort in Bu Njem in Libya. In ancient times, this place was called Gholaia and was founded on the initiative of the emperor Septimius Severus (193-211 CE).
Cats in ancient Egypt
Cats in ancient Egypt were sacred. In the middle of the first century BCE Diodorus Siculus witnessed how the Egyptian crowd lynched a member of the Roman embassy who accidentally killed a cat. People did not respond even to the request of Pharaoh Ptolemy XII.
Visualization of Vesuvius eruption in 79 CE
Using computer technology, the moment of the Vesuvius eruption in 79 CE was recreated – a tragic event during the reign of the Emperor Titus.
Pension of Diocletian
Diocletian who introduced the principle of the rule of tetrarchy ruled in 284-305 CE. He remained in charge until he was confident enough to abdicate; then he ordered his aide Maximian to do likewise. Diocletian began the life of an ordinary citizen. For seven years he lived in his magnificent palace in Split (Croatia).
Death of Commodus
On December 31, 192 CE emperor Commodus, after 12 years of brutal rule, was poisoned with wine by his mistress Marcia. Unfortunately, the ruler vomited poison and conspirators with prefect Laetus hired a wrestler Narcissus to finish the work. The Roman wrestler strangled the emperor in the bathhouse. After his death, the Senate announced the erasure of Commodus from history (damnatio memoriae).
Roman interesting drinking glass
Roman interesting drinking glass, dated back to I century CE.
Nero exercises
Neron, as a true music lover and singer, not wanting to lose his great voice did not give up any exercises that professional singers did. Exercises used by him are: lying on the back with flat pieces of lead on the chest, using an enema, taking antiemetics, using a diet that excludes apples and other fruits that are said to have a bad effect on the voice color.
