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.
Wine shop sign in Pompeii
Advertising signboard of the Roman wineshop in Herculaneum, promoting different types of wine and prices. “Ad Cucumas” on the signboard is probably the name of the place.
Roman fresco showing woman serving drink
Roman fresco depicting a woman serving a drink to a beggar or a traveller. There is also a version that suggests that a woman is giving a man a magic drink or medicine.
Onomatopoeias in Roman comedies
Onomatopoeias in Roman comedies: “hahae” – laughter; “vae” – disgust; “ehem” – surprise; “heu” – sadness; “uah” – embarrassment.
Unusual bust of Ptolemy Apion
An unusual bust of Ptolemy Apion. The object was found in the Papyrus Villa in Herculaneum. It is currently in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
Fate of a Satyricon-based slave
The position of a slave in the Roman world is well illustrated in a fragment of the work – Satyricon, whose authorship is attributed to Gaius Petronius – the first-century expert in good taste and artistic values. The author describes how one of the characters in the work, a certain Trimalchion – a freedman who achieved freedom and wealth with hard work and perseverance – clicks on his slave with his fingers. The slave brings a potty, which master can use for defecation. Then he brings a bowl of water to wash his hands.
