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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.

Amores riding bulls

Roman relief showing two Amores riding bulls. Object dated to the beginning of the 2nd century CE; discovered in the Forum Caesar in Rome. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Amores riding bulls

Sculpture of Greek philosopher Metrodoros

Sculpture of the Greek philosopher Metrodoros, a student of Epicurus. The object is dated to the 1st century CE and is a copy of the Greek original. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Sculpture of Greek philosopher Metrodoros

Ancient “road reflectors”

In ancient Rome, the roads were often strewn with white stones (the so-called “cat’s eyes”), which reflected the moonlight and thus acted as modern street lamps or road reflectors, helping people to walk/ride after dark. The photo shows the Roman road in Pompeii.

Ancient "road reflectors"

Young man with dish

Young man with a vessel on a Roman fresco. Object dated to the 1st century CE; discovered in Ariadne’s villa in Stabiae. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Young man with dish

Roman fresco showing young man flying

Roman fresco showing a flying young man with a palm leaf and a crown in his hand. Object discovered in Stabiae in Ariadne’s villa; dated to the 1st century CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Roman fresco showing young man flying

Perge – pearl of Roman East

In December 2019, I was in Turkey, where I had the opportunity to visit the ruins of cities from the Roman period. Today I will share with you my impressions from visiting one of them: Perge.

Perge

Fayum portrait showing bearded man

Fayum portrait showing a bearded man. Object dated to the mid-2nd century CE; discovered in Fayum (Egypt) Currently the artifact is in the Myers Collection, Eton College, Windsor (England).

Fayum portrait showing bearded man

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