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.

Unique Roman ring with snake heads

Unique Roman ring with snake heads; found in Pompeii.Więcej

Roman bronze crouching winged griffin

Roman bronze crouching winged griffin. Dated back to 2nd-3rd Century CE.Więcej

Roman doll made of ivory

Found in 1964, a Roman doll made of ivory with a gold necklace. The doll was discovered next to the body of mummified girl’s body. It is dated to II century CE. She was buried…Więcej

Where did the name “Caesarean section” come from?

The name of the operation – Caesarean section – is connected with Rome, where the law prohibited the burial of a pregnant woman without taking her fetus out of her womb. The name derives from…Więcej

Did ancient Romans shake their hands?

As it turns out, the exchange of handshakes is a custom that goes back to the times of ancient Greece, more or less in the fifth century BCE. We know this because of the preserved…Więcej

Discovered domus of Roman military in Rome

The picture shows rooms from the discovered home in Rome of a high-ranked Roman military commander. As you can see, the floors are covered with beautiful mosaics, and according to the researchers, totally domus counted…Więcej

Roman fresco of a soldier

Roman fresco of a soldier from the House of Valerius Rufus in Pompeii.Więcej

Duck on Roman fresco after reconstrucion

Before and after of a digital reconstruction to a Roman fresco of a duck from the Villa di Arianna, Stabiae.Więcej

Roman bronze handle in the form of lion’s head

Roman bronze handle, dated back to II-III century CE. In the form of the face of a lion cast in high relief, holding a ring in the gaping jaws, with protruding tongue, incised whiskers and…Więcej

Roman fresco showing a goat and a basket of fruit

Roman fresco showing a goat and a basket of fruit. Object from Pompeii; dated back to I century BCE.Więcej

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