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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 fresco depicting a parody of Aeneas’ flight from Troy; the painting adorned one of the houses in Pompeii. The scene depicts Aeneas carrying his father Anchises on his shoulder and leading his son Ascanius by the hand.
Roman women’s leather sandals made in Gaul around 1900 years ago. The object was discovered at Vindolanda Fort in northern Britain.
Roman wall painting depicting a feast of pygmies, a fight with a hippopotamus and sexual acts. The object is dated to the 1st century CE and was discovered in the Doctor’s House in Pompeii. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
In ancient Greece, the main type of beard was a lush full beard. In Sparta, this is a complicated issue. Spartans are generally said to have had beards without mustaches. However, every depiction in art does not support this except in figurines where the beard is carved and the mustache is not.
Surely some of us have heard of a situation where someone married someone to take over his property. It turns out that such a wicked way of getting rich was practiced long ago, in ancient Rome. Men who commit such acts are now known as bounty hunters. Interestingly, this was quite common in the early centuries of our era.
In the popular consciousness, there are only two facts in the conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity: first, the persecution of Christians (especially during the reign of Nero in the 1st century CE and Diocletian in the early 4th century), and then the adoption of Christianity by Constantine the Great, who made the whole the empire had converted to a new faith. The triumph of Christianity seems as sudden as it is obvious and historically just.
Roman statuette made of ivory depicting a tragic actor. The figure probably shows the actor in a tragic female role, in a mask, costume and wig. Object dated to the 1st century CE.
A well-preserved mummy from Roman times, discovered in cemeteries in the oasis of Fayum (Egypt). Object dated to the 1st century CE, showing a young man.
Roman tombstone with the image of a small child’s head. On the stone there is an inscription: “Here lies Tiberius Natronius Venustus. He lived 4 years, 4 months, and 10 days”. The object was discovered in the ancient necropolis of Santa Rosa near the Vatican.
Marble sculpture of Amor with theatrical mask. Object dated to the 1st century CE; discovered in Pompeii and located in the local museum.
