Warrior holding dying child by leg
An ancient sculpture showing a warrior holding a dying child by the leg. Object dated to the 2nd-3rd century CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
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Curiosities of ancient Rome
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.
Technical advancement of Romans in terms of latrines and sewage systems
The technical advancement of the Romans in terms of latrines and sewage systems was achieved again in Europe only in the 19th century. It is believed that the first sewage system in Rome was built between 800 and 735 BCE. The Roman sewer system was extremely extensive in ancient Rome.
Roman fresco showing nymph Io under surveillance
Roman fresco showing the nymph Io who remains under surveillance in the temple of Hera in Argos, protecting her from the advances of Zeus. Io is shown with cattle horns. The object was discovered in Pompeii and is dated to the 1st century CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
Lions and boars on battlefield?
Lucretius – Roman poet and philosopher from the 1st century BCE – in his work De rerum natura (“On the Nature of Things”) made various philosophical and scientific considerations. He believed that early humanity used all sorts of wild animals on the battlefields, including lions and wild boars.
Roman painting showing young assistant during official ritual
Roman painting showing a young assistant during an official ritual (so-called camillus) who holds a vessel in his hands. According to Roman tradition, camillus had to be under the age of puberty and both parents had to be alive. The boy usually came from a wealthy family.
Consuls and their funny nicknames
Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, a consul for 137 BCE, was so obese that any movement and effort over time became a great problem for him. Due to his physical condition and clumsiness on the battlefield, he was given the nickname Porcina (“Pig”).
Sulla’s divine guide
The Roman politician Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, also known as Sulla, lived from 138-78 BCE. In the history of Rome, he went down as one of the most controversial figures of the Roman Republic. As an efficient military and politician, he is known for the first Roman civil war and the adoption of the office of dictator (82 BCE) for life. He was cruel in getting rid of political opponents. A certain goddess of war, Bellona, played a large role in Sulla’s enormous career.
Galen – expert in human anatomy
Galen (Aelius Galenus) was a Roman physician of Greek descent, who lived in the 2nd century CE he was regarded in his time as a great expert on human anatomy. Roman law forbade autopsies from 150 BCE. Thus, Galen relied only on dissections of animals (mostly monkeys and pigs).
Roman mosaic showing Oedipus killing his father Laius
Roman mosaic showing Oedipus killing his father Laius, king of Thebes, driving a chariot. Object dated to the 1st century CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
Self-immolation was practiced in antiquity
Self-immolation was a way of taking one’s own life that had been used since ancient times. Most often it showed the courage of the unfortunate and expressed a kind of protest against injustice.
