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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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Ancient river deity

Roman sculpture showing an ancient river deity. The object dates back to the 2nd century CE. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

Ancient river deity

Roman statue showing Amor with torch

Roman statue showing Amor with a torch. The object was discovered in Herculaneum. The item is made of bronze and dates back to the 1st century CE. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

Roman statue showing Amor with torch

Roman sculpture of Faun

Roman sculpture of a Faun, god of fertility and protector of forests, who had hooves and goat horns. It is a Roman copy from the 2nd century CE. Greek original from the 2nd-1st century BCE. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

Roman sculpture of Faun

Atrium in Villa of the Papyri

Atrium in the so-called Villa of the Papyri in Herculaneum. The atrium was a representative room in a Roman house that was intended to stand out and impress visitors. It was the first room after passing through the entrance hall.

Atrium in Villa of the Papyri

Cameo of Philemon

Cameo depicting Philemon, a Greek comedy writer who lived in the 4th-3rd centuries BCE. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

Cameo of Philemon

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