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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.
Roman mosaic from the tomb where a couple of former slaves – Amphio and Rustica – were buried. As we can read on the mosaic, the couple got married after liberation. They both received their freedom from their mistress – Terentia – after whom they also took their name. Object dated to the 1st-2nd century CE. Currently stored in the Museo di Santa Giulia in Brescia.
Roman sculpture showing a young man. Under the object in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples, we can read that it is a likeness of the so-called ephebe, a Greek youth who underwent compulsory military training before receiving citizenship.
Roman fresco showing a young man with a wreath. Object dated to the 1st century CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
Roman fresco showing still life. On the silver dish we see various delicacies, including a cake resembling a modern focaccia or pizza. Object dated to the 1st century CE; discovered in Pompeii on the wall of one of the houses.
In Wehringen (southern Germany), in the area of an ancient necropolis, a grave was discovered, with human remains buried in it along with a set of surgical instruments, a stone palette and a bronze first aid kit. The first aid kit has a sliding lid and separate compartments for storing medical substances.
Roman fresco showing a seated woman on an elegant chair. Object dated to the mid-1st century CE; discovered in Stabia. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
Terracotta Roman sculpture showing a warrior on an elephant; in the back, another object is visible, depicting a drunk elderly woman. The objects are dated to the 1st century CE. They were discovered in the Rufus House in Pompeii. Both sculptures were found in the fountain that adorned the peristyle of the house. The artifacts are in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
Roman sculpture showing the ancient god Glycon, with the body of a snake and the head of a gazelle, who is associated with Asclepius (Esculap), the god of medicine. Object dated to the mid-2nd century CE. The artifact is in the National Museum of History and Archeology in Constanta, Romania.
Probably everyone who was in Rome and visited the Palazzo Massimo Alle Terme museum drew attention to the famous “Qurinal boxer” – a bronze sculpture found near the ruins of the Baths of Constantine. A naked, muscular man in a sitting position looks to the side, slightly up. The more attentive would have noticed deep, bloody wounds on his body.
Roman sculpture that once adorned the fountain. The object shows a boy holding a hare. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. The sculpture is dated to the mid-1st century CE; it was discovered in Pompeii.
