Roman altar Carrick Stone
Roman altar, now called the Carrick Stone, which is located in Scotland. The object is dated to the 60s of the 2nd century CE. It is located halfway between Glasgow and Falkirk, close to Antoninus’ wall.
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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.
What places did ancient Romans travel to in their spare time?
Tourism and holidays are not just modern inventions. Already in Roman times, the inhabitants of the Empire often travelled and went on vacation. The Romans began to travel on a massive scale during the reign of Octavian Augustus (reigned 27 BCE – 14 CE).
Civil wars erased from memory
Roman civil wars in the 1st century BCE, they harmed the good name of the nation and the state to such an extent that the first emperor – Octavian Augustus ordered the destruction of all documents related to this fratricidal fight.
Elderly people in ancient Rome
Elders played an important role in Rome, based on the privileges granted to them by Roman law. The Romans both criticized and admired the old. They treated them individually and without referring to the whole problem of old age. Problems with old age were noticed independently: demographic, political, social, as well as psychological and medical.
Roman marble bust of man
Roman marble bust of a man. The object is dated to the 3rd century CE. The sculpture was improved in the 4th and 6th centuries. The artifact was discovered in the agora in Thessalonica. The object is in the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki (Greece).
Horse mounting platform
Plutarch recognizes Gaius Gracchus as the person who, for the first time in the Roman Republic, ordered small stones to be placed by the road so that the horseman could, without any help, mount his horse.
Roman fresco showing group of nymphs with Bacchus
Roman fresco showing a group of nymphs with a crowned and seated Bacchus, the god of wild nature, vines and wine. The object is dated to the 1st century BCE and was discovered in Pompeii. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
Teutonic fury
The Latin phrase – furor teutonicus (“Teutonic fury”) – was used to describe the aggressive actions of the Germanic peoples. It first appeared in Lucan’s Pharsalia to convey the qualities he attributed to the Teutons: cruelty and battle frenzy. At the end of the 2nd century BCE northern Italy was invaded by the Germanic tribes of the Teutons and Cimbri, whose invasion threatened Rome’s sovereignty.
Unique columns in Roman architecture
Almost everyone knows the Ionian, Doric and Corinthian orders. However, there are numerous examples of columns not adhering to any of these Greek styles in the architecture of ancient Rome. Aside from simple modifications and evolutions of the Hellenic originals, one can also find some very distinct forms that can surprise them with their uniqueness.
Partridge with mirror on basket
Roman mosaic showing a partridge lifting a mirror from a basket. The object is dated to the first half of the 1st century BCE. Artifact found in the Labyrinth House in Pompeii; it is now in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
