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.

Young boy

Young boy on a Roman sculpture. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.Więcej

Lugii – ancestors of Poles?

Lugii/Longiones were a people of not entirely clear origin, just before BCE and in the first centuries CE they inhabited the upper basin of the Oder and Vistula rivers, i.e. the area of today’s southern…Więcej

Roman bust showing man

Roman bust showing a man. Object dated to the reign of Octavian Augustus (27 BCE – 14 CE); it is a copy of an original from the middle of the 2nd century BCE. The artifact…Więcej

Augustus’ phrases

Octavian Augustus used some characteristic phrases: instead of “stupid”, he used “dumb”; to describe the speed of acting, he used the phrase “faster than asparagus cooks”; instead of saying “crazy”, he used “mad in the…Więcej

Sculpture showing walking Satyr

Roman sculpture showing a walking Satyr, a mythological creature who was supposed to accompany Dionysus (Bacchus) in the retinue. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.Więcej

What was legislative process in Roman Republic?

Roman Senate was an important office during the time of the Roman Republic, which decided on Roman laws. As the plebeians gradually won more democratic governments (moving away from the oligarchy), a typical legislative process…Więcej

Bust of emperor Tiberius

Bust of the emperor Tiberius, who ruled in the years 14-37 CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. The reign of Tiberius was a period of peace and good state management…Więcej

Fulvia, Pomponia – strong Roman women

The wife of Mark Antony, Fulvia, completely ignored the spinning traditions and housekeeping of a Roman woman. In addition, according to Roman descriptions, she was a strong and independent woman. Supposedly, after the murder of…Więcej

Roman fresco showing naumachia and still life

Roman fresco showing naumachia and still life. Object dated to the 1st century CE; discovered in Pompeii. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.Więcej

Fall of Roman Empire according to Edward Gibbon

According to Edward Gibbon (1737-1794), author of the classic work The Decline of the Roman Empire, the greatest influence on the disintegration of the Roman Empire was, among others, Christianity, the loss of civic values…Więcej

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