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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.
In ancient Rome, war was an integral part of life, and the Roman army enjoyed a reputation as one of the best-organized military forces in history. To maintain their power on the battlefield, the Romans also had to develop medical skills that allowed them to effectively treat wounded soldiers and ensure a quick return to combat. Field medicine in ancient Rome was therefore a key element of their war strategy.
The entire life of Roman citizens revolved around the city on the one hand and around the family (familia) on the other. The word meant a little more than family. It included all the inhabitants of the house: parents, children, grandchildren, slaves, and even freedmen who stayed with their masters. They were all subject to the authority of the father of the family. It was in the family environment that the most important events in the life of a Roman and the rituals related to them took place.
Cato the Elder, a tenacious defender of Roman values, became famous, among others, for his opposition to the repeal of lex Oppia. It was then, in one of the first mass demonstrations by women in Roman history, that Roman women gathered on the Capitoline Hill to demand an end to restrictions on luxury. Cato, faithful to ancient traditions, headed the camp of opponents.
Cornu, also known as the “horn of legions”, is one of the most characteristic musical instruments of ancient Rome. Its sound resounded on battlefields, during triumphal processions and in the theatre, symbolizing the power and discipline of the Roman legions. This large, curved horn made of bronze served not only a musical but also a communicative function.
Atia the Elder, known primarily as the mother of Octavian Augustus, the first emperor of Rome. Born in 85 BCE as the daughter of Marcus Atius Balbus and Julia the Younger, sister of Julius Caesar, Atia was part of one of Rome’s most influential families. Her life is an example of a typical woman of that time, focused on taking care of the home, devoted to her family and trying to take care of her children’s development.
Antiquity is associated primarily with great philosophers, warriors and architecture, but one of the most interesting aspects of ancient life is culinary art. Among the preserved works of ancient Rome, a special place is held by “On the Subject of Cooking” (De re coquinaria) by Apicius, considered one of the first gastronomes in history.
Olive oil was not only a key product in the daily life of ancient Romans, but also a symbol of status, wealth and civilization. Its use went far beyond cooking – in Rome, olive oil was widely used in medicine, religion, cosmetics and household.
Hamilcar Barkas is a figure who is strongly embedded in the history of the ancient world, although his son Hannibal became more famous as a great Carthaginian commander. It was Hamilcar, a fearless general and statesman, who built the foundations of the power that his son used during his great wars with Rome.
Cecilia Paulina was the wife of Maximinus Thrax, the Roman emperor who reigned in the years 235–238 CE. Although her character remains somewhat mysterious and we have little information about her in historical sources, we can learn some interesting facts about her life and role in the Roman Empire.
“Praecepta ad filium” (i.e. “Maxims addressed to his son”) is a work that is traditionally attributed to the famous Roman politician, military man and writer, Cato the Elder (234-149 BCE), and which is considered the first Roman encyclopedia. “Maxims addressed to his son,” as the name suggests, was addressed to Cato’s son.
