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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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Invasions of Getae and Dacians
Dacians and Getae were related barbarian tribes that had rivalled the Romans many times throughout history. They inhabited the territory of present-day Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia and even Ukraine. Their greatest advantage was sudden raids on Roman territories, which used the element of surprise, including extremely effective cavalry.
Death of emperor Augustus
In ancient Rome, the brutal, violent death of the ruler was inscribed in the logic of power to such an extent that today it is often said that the profession of “emperor” was the most dangerous profession in the world. Of the twelve emperors who died in the first century CE, only four died naturally. Murder as a way to change power was so obvious that natural death always aroused suspicion and was a source of conjecture as to whether no one had contributed to it.
Roman sculpture showing Octavian Augustus
Roman sculpture showing Octavian Augustus. The object is dated to the 2nd century CE. According to the researchers, the object actually depicted a young man, but it was later adopted to represent the first emperor of Rome. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
Roman mosaic showing cockfight
Roman mosaic showing a cockfight. The scene shows an injured, bleeding rooster (right) bowing its head as a gesture of submission.
Roman boiler in shape of defensive walls
Roman boiler, in the shape of defensive walls, used to heat water. Object dated to the 1st century CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
Investment in equipment
During the principate period, at least until the late 2nd century CE, new legionaries generally “bought” equipment from the army – they were given things from the legionary resource, and their cost was deducted from soldiers’ payments.
