Muse with kithara
Roman marble sculpture showing muse holding a kithara. Object dated back to II century CE.
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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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Roman marble sculptures of men
Roman marble group of two young boys. Dated bac to I-II century CE.
Did Romans use whistles on the battlefield?
In the teritory, which was once under the rule of the Roman Empire, scientists find many interesting objects. Among them are whistles. But the question is whether the whistles, apart from everyday life, were also used in the Roman army, including during warfare?
Scorpion bombs
“Scorpion bombs” were weapons used by the Arsakids defending themselves against the Roman invasion in 198 CE. The clay pots filled with live, poisonous scorpions were thrown out from behind the walls of the defending city of Hatra and affected the morale of the legions badly.
Marble head of Roman youth
Roman marble head of a youth. Dated back to second half of the 1st century CE.
Aquila, Roman legionary eagle
Aquila, a Roman legionary eagle, found in a field near the village of Sălcuta in Romania. The eagle has dimensions: length 168mm, height 82mm, weight 340g. The legs of the animal have not survived to our times, but the eagle probably held lightning in its claws.
