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 sculpture depicting old Silenus

Roman sculpture depicting old Silenus, god of nature, with a crown of ivy on his head. The object dates back to the 2nd century CE and is based on a Hellenic pattern. The artifact is…Więcej

Roman mosaic showing man visiting doctor

Roman mosaic showing a man visiting a doctor. The object was discovered in Algeria and is located in the Algiers Museum in Algeria.Więcej

Roman sapphire gemma

Roman sapphire gemstone depicting the image of Emperor Caracalla. The object dates back to the 3rd century CE. The artifact is located in Marlborough (USA), in the Walters Art Museum.Więcej

Roman bust of man from 3rd century CE

Roman bust of a man from the 3rd century CE. The object is located in the Capitoline Museums in Rome.Więcej

Preserved stone stairs in Pompeii

Preserved stone stairs in Pompeii. Not many floors remained in the destroyed city as the buildings collapsed under the weight of falling ash and volcanic material.Więcej

Roman sculpture showing bust of Hercules

Roman sculpture showing the bust of Hercules. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.Więcej

Roman sculpture depicting Aphrodite

Roman sculpture depicting Aphrodite (Venus). The object is a Roman copy (from the 1st century CE) of a Greek original from the 5th century BCE. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of…Więcej

Fragment of Roman sarcophagus showing Diana and Endymion

Fragment of a Roman sarcophagus showing Diana, the goddess of nature, and Endymion, the shepherd. The object dates back to the 2nd century CE. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.Więcej

Antinous shown as Bacchus

Roman sculpture of Antinous, depicted as Bacchus. The object dates back to the 2nd century CE. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. Antinous was a Greek youth from Bithynia who,…Więcej

Roman relief showing Pan riding mule

Roman relief showing Pan, the guardian deity of forests and fields, riding a mule. The object is a Roman copy of a Greek original. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.Więcej

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