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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.
Adlocutio, the speech of a Roman commander to his soldiers, was one of the most important public acts in the army of ancient Rome. It was both a formal speech and a gesture of power that demonstrated the strength of the leader’s authority. The emperor, general, or other senior commander addressed the assembled army to motivate, inspire, or convey orders before battle.
Roman republic is famous for its rich political system, which has developed a complex power structure over the centuries. At the heart of this system, various political parties competed with each other, the most famous of which were the optimates and the populares. While the optimates represented the interests of the aristocracy, the populares became the spokesman for the plebeians and those who were marginalized by the traditional elites.
Curia Hostilia is one of the oldest and most important places related to the political functioning of ancient Rome. Built according to legend by the third king of Rome, Tullus Hostilius, this curia was the central meeting place of the senate – the most important ruling body in the Roman Republic. It was here that senators met to debate laws, war decisions, and foreign policy, shaping the future of one of the greatest empires of antiquity.
Hero of Alexandria, one of the most famous scientists of the ancient world, became famous as a brilliant inventor and mathematician whose works are still admired today. He lived in the 1st century CE and operated mainly in Alexandria, which was then the scientific center of the world. It was there that he created some of the most important works in mathematics, physics and engineering that have had a huge impact on the development of technology for centuries.
In ancient Rome, the term “negotium” meant professional activity, both in the economic and political sense. It was the opposite of “otium” – free time devoted to rest, reflection or cultural life. Negotium played a key role in shaping the social and economic structure of the Roman Empire, as the Romans viewed work not only as a means of earning a living but also as a way to pursue ambition and gain prestige.
The phrase “As you are Gaius, I am Gaia” (Ubi tu Gaius, ibi ego Gaia) is one of the most symbolic sayings related to marriage in ancient Rome.
Romans were known for their excellent engineering sense, which was reflected not only in the construction of aqueducts and roads but also in the planning of cities and forts. In particular, the street marking system became one of the most characteristic elements of their urban planning, and its influence is visible in cities throughout the former Roman Empire.
In ancient Rome, amber was a valued material with many uses, from jewellery to amulets and home decorations. Its extraordinary beauty, healing properties and rarity attracted the attention not only of wealthy citizens but also of the emperors themselves. Where did this fascination with amber come from and what role did it play in Roman culture?
Titus Livius (59 BCE – 17 CE), one of the most important historians of ancient Rome, left behind a monumental work – “Ab Urbe Condita” (i.e. “From the Founding of the City”, also called “History of Rome”). His work, originally consisting of 142 books, was an attempt to write down the history of Rome from its mythical foundation by Romulus to his contemporary times, i.e. the end of the 1st century BCE. Although only 35 books of the work have survived to this day, its influence on the subsequent history of literature, historiography and the perception of antiquity is enormous.
Porta Portuensis was one of the monumental gates in the defensive walls of ancient Rome, built during the times of Emperor Aurelian in the 3rd century CE. The gate was located in the western part of the city, near today’s Trastevere, and led to the Roman Port, one of the main trading centers of antiquity, located at the mouth of the Tiber River. The gate was rebuilt in 403 CE, during the reign of Honorius.
