Curiosities of ancient Rome

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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.

I encourage you to submit your own suggestions and to report any corrections or inaccuracies.

Roman bowl with remains of red pigment

Roman bowl with remains of red pigment, found in Pompeii. Dated back to I century CE.Więcej

Roman fresco showing scene of tragedy

Roman fresco showing scene of tragedy. Found in Pompeii, Casa dei Dioscuri or the home of the divine twins, Castor and Pollux (VI 9, 6–7). Located in Naples Museum.Więcej

Roman fresco showing actor and tragic mask

Roman fresco showing an actor and a tragic mask, located in Pompeii. Dated back to I century CE.Więcej

Roman fresco showing woman

Roman fresco depicting a pensive woman. Found in a villa in Boscoreale (near Pompeii); dated to the 1st century BCE. Currently, the fresco is kept at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. Roman fresco in…Więcej

Roman bone comb

Roman bone comb. Found in Pompeii and dated to the 1st century CE.Więcej

Roman gold statuette

Roman gold statuette uncovered in Pompeii, showing wild goat. Dated back to 1st century CE. Object currently located in Archaeological Museum in Naples.Więcej

Beautifully decorated Roman pitcher jug

Roman painted glass one handled jug. Dated back to I century CE. Found in Ismant el-Kharab, ancient Kellis, Egypt. Depicting combatant gladiators.Więcej

Roman glass head flask

Roman glass head flask. Dated back to 1st-2nd century CE.Więcej

Roman cement strengthened with wine

Lucius Aurelius Avianius Symmachus – Prefect of Rome from 364 CE – supervised the constructions under water. In order to achieve cement strength under water, some amount of wine was added to it. However, such…Więcej

Roman erotic mosaic showing black slave

Roman erotic mosaic from Timgad (current Algeria), showing black slave. Object dated back to circa I CE. Mosaic found at the entrance to the baths. He is currently in the Museum in Timgad.Więcej

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