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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.
Vestal virgins (Virgines Vestales) were virgins who guarded the sacred fire goddess Vesta (goddess of the hearth and state) in the temple at Forum Romanum. The superior of the Vestals was Virgo Vestalis Maxima, the oldest Vestal, and their religious guardianship was exercised by Pontifex Maximus. He also selected the girls for the ministry.
Lugii/Longiones were a people of not entirely clear origin, just before BCE and in the first centuries CE they inhabited the upper basin of the Oder and Vistula rivers, i.e. the area of today’s southern and central Poland.
Roman bust showing a man. Object dated to the reign of Octavian Augustus (27 BCE – 14 CE); it is a copy of an original from the middle of the 2nd century BCE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
Octavian Augustus used some characteristic phrases: instead of “stupid”, he used “dumb”; to describe the speed of acting, he used the phrase “faster than asparagus cooks”; instead of saying “crazy”, he used “mad in the head”.
Roman sculpture showing a walking Satyr, a mythological creature who was supposed to accompany Dionysus (Bacchus) in the retinue. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
Roman Senate was an important office during the time of the Roman Republic, which decided on Roman laws. As the plebeians gradually won more democratic governments (moving away from the oligarchy), a typical legislative process in the Roman state emerged.
Bust of the emperor Tiberius, who ruled in the years 14-37 CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
The wife of Mark Antony, Fulvia, completely ignored the spinning traditions and housekeeping of a Roman woman. In addition, according to Roman descriptions, she was a strong and independent woman.
Roman fresco showing naumachia and still life. Object dated to the 1st century CE; discovered in Pompeii. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
