Wild animals from all over Empire
Introducing and killing wild animals for entertainment in amphitheatres or for expensive ivory or fur has led to a significant decline in species numbers across the Empire.
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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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Roman relief showing tropaion
Roman relief showing tropaion. The tropaion was a form of military monument, erected by the Greeks and Romans in honour of the victory in battle. It was usually a vertical pole in the shape of a tree with outstretched arms (in later times, two crossed sticks), to which captured militaria was attached. The trophy was next sacrificed to the deities for victory.
What did greats of ancient world hide under their pillows?
Plutarch in his work (“Life of Alexander”, 8) mentions that Alexander the Great kept a special copy of the “Iliad” under his pillow while sleeping, with Aristotle’s commentaries. This was largely due to the love of the leader of this Greek epic and the character of Achilles.
Certain Calvisius Sabinus
Seneca the Younger, a Roman philosopher and writer from the 1st century CE, mentions in his letters Calvisius Sabinus – a wealthy and respected Roman who had such a bad memory that he couldn’t even remember the names of Homeric heroes.
Plaster cast of body
Plaster cast of the body of a person who died as a result of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE. The object is located in a glass box in the atrium of the so-called The Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii.
Selenite – valued material
In ancient Rome, selenite (referred to as lapis specularis, meaning “mirror stone”) was a valued mineral. Pliny the Elder emphasized the advantages of this mineral, which could be cut into thin layers through which light with a characteristic soft glow, similar to moonlight, passed.
Roman statue showing young deer
Roman statue showing a young deer. The object is made of bronze and was discovered in the Villa of the Papyrus in Herculaneum. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
Punishment for himself
Emperor Julian the Apostate (reigned 361-363 CE) went down in history as a sensible and righteous Roman ruler. He became famous, among others, for his actions to eliminate bureaucracy and improve the rule of law.
