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.

Bust showing young Caracalla

Bust showing the young Caracalla (188-217 CE), who was the Roman emperor reigning in the years 211-217 CE. Supported by praetorians and part of the army, he became famous for his cruelty and bloody spectacles.…Więcej

Bellum sociale

War of the allies (so-called bellum sociale) fought in 90-88 BCE was a conflict between the Roman Republic and its Italian allies (socii). For years, the policy of “divide and conquer” allowed to keep many…Więcej

Young Hercules

Roman sculpture showing the young Hercules. The object is dated to the 2nd century CE and is a copy of a Greek original from the 4th century BCE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological…Więcej

Banishment in Rome

Banishment was commonly used in ancient Rome. One of its variations was the punishment interdicere aquae et ignis (“to prohibit fire and water”). The convict was forced to leave Roman lands and automatically lost his…Więcej

Roman fresco showing running horses

Roman fresco showing running horses. The object was discovered in Stabie; dated to the 1st century CE The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.Więcej

Roman water engineering

Water engineering in the Roman Empire was at the highest level. Aqueduct network supplied ancient Rome in the 2nd century CE with one million cubic meters of water per day. In some places, the area…Więcej

Roman fresco showing half-naked Maenad

Roman fresco showing a half-naked Maenad (worshipper of Dionysus). Object dated to the 1st century CE; discovered in Pompeii. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.Więcej

Tertullian – knight of faith

Tertullian was a well-educated Roman orator and jurist who lived in North Africa at the turn of the 2nd/3rd century CE. In about 190 CE he was baptized and became a zealous supporter and defender…Więcej

Roman wall mural from Pompeii

Roman wall mural from Pompeii, on which we can read the slogans of passers-by. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. The first entry reads: “Aemilius fraternally greets Cissonius”. The second is…Więcej

Did Romans drink beer?

Beer, currently an extremely popular drink, was not popular in Greek and Roman civilizations. Pliny the Elder referred to beer as barley wine and treated it very contemptuously. Apparently, their foam was supposed to be…Więcej

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