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Curiosities of ancient Rome

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.

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Brief history of title changes of governor of Judea in 1st century CE

The title praefectus Judeae was held by the Roman governors of Judea from 6 CE. Then, after removing the son of Herod the Great – the ethnarch of Samaria, Idumea, and Judea – Herod Archelaos (4 BCE – 6 CE)1 from power and accession Quirinius for the implementation of the census ordered by the emperor Octavian Augustus riots broke out. They were used by Judah the Galilean, who led an uprising against Rome and founded together with the Zadok the Pharisee the Zealot party2. He himself died during the uprising.

A replica of the so-called Pilate's Stone, Caesarea Maritima, the original is in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem

Preserved lintels from entrances to Roman theater in Cartagena

Preserved lintels from the entrances to the Roman theater in Cartagena. On the stone, made of gray sandstone, which was located at the eastern entrance, there is an inscription honoring Lucius Caesar; when on the west – probably Gaius Caesar. The objects are dated to the 1st century BCE.

Preserved lintels from entrances to Roman theater in Cartagena

Roman quarry in Cartagena

Roman sandstone quarry in Cartagena (south of Spain), which was intensively used from the 3rd BCE until the middle of the 20th century. This place has the status of a historic site.

Roman quarry in Cartagena

Roman table from Pompeii

Roman table, made of bronze, which was discovered in Pompeii. Dated to the 1st century CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Roman table from Pompeii

Roman fresco showing young man

Roman fresco showing a young man resting. The object was discovered in Stabiae; dated to the 1st century CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Roman fresco showing young man

Roman fresco showing wondering woman

Roman fresco showing a pondering, seated woman. Object dated to the 1st century CE. The artifact was discovered in Stabiae; it is now in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

Roman fresco showing wondering woman

Small Roman oil lamp with lid

Small Roman oil lamp made of bronze with a lid. Object dated to the 1st century CE; discovered in Pompeii. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Small Roman oil lamp with lid

Roman fresco showing silver vessel

Roman fresco showing a silver vessel (situla) used in antiquity to collect water. The object dates back to the 1st century BCE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

Roman fresco showing silver vessel

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