Curiosities of ancient Rome

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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.

Contemporary buildings in city of Lucca on site of amphitheater

Contemporary buildings in the city of Lucca that form an elliptical shape. The houses were built on the foundation of a Roman amphitheatre, perfectly showing the size of the ancient building.Więcej

Roman mosaic showing tigress with young tigers

Roman mosaic showing a tigress with young tigers. Object dated to the 4th century CE. It is now at The Cleveland Museum of Art in the USA.Więcej

Unusual legend about creation of Tiber Island

Tiber Island is one of the most picturesque places in Rome. No cars, greenery and the sound of water – this is a place with a small-town charm, where even at the peak of the…Więcej

“Plebs” – comedy series set in times of ancient Rome

“Plebs” is the only comedy series set in the times of ancient Rome. It shows the everyday life of ordinary people in a funny way. The series was created in 2013 and has 5 seasons…Więcej

Few words about Forma Urbis

There is no doubt that Rome is a big city. It was already big in antiquity and just like today’s cities are divided into districts, so Rome was divided into the so-called. regions. During the…Więcej

Barberini mosaic

Near Rome, in the city of Palestrina, there is a small archaeological museum located where the temple of Fortuna Primigenia, famous throughout Italy, once stood. In its highest room, the so-called ‘the Barberini mosaic’, which…Więcej

Roman sculpture of barbarian

Roman sculpture of a barbarian. Object dated to the 2nd century CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. The word “barbarian” comes from the Latin word barbarus, which means “foreigner”. In…Więcej

Marble statue of goddess Isis

Marble statue of the goddess Isis. The object was discovered in Pompeii. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. Isis was the Egyptian goddess of fertility, and the protector of families. One…Więcej

Roman fresco showing an old man

Roman fresco showing an old man. Object dated to the 1st century CE; discovered in Stabia in Villa Arianna.Więcej

Caligula and slaughter on Palatine Hill

The circumstances of the death of the third emperor of Rome are seemingly clear. Caligula was assassinated on January 24, 41, after reigning for less than four years. The very fact of the murder of…Więcej

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