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.

Ancient sculpture of Aphrodite

Ancient sculpture of Aphrodite (Venus). The object is dated to the 2nd century CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.Więcej

Over 12,000 wrecks at bottom of Mediterranean Sea

More than 12,000 shipwrecks have been found at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, dating from around the 3rd century BCE to 2nd CE; much more than in the next century. This difference is not…Więcej

Roman fresco showing centaur Chiron, Apollo and Aesculapius

Roman fresco showing the centaur Chiron (middle), the mythical inventor of medicine and surgery, Apollo (left) and Aesculapius, the god of medicine. The object is dated to the 1st century BCE and was discovered in…Więcej

Great defensive structures of Romans

Romans were able to build great defensive structures. High walls and mighty towers were mainly of psychological importance, because the barbarians with whom the Romans fought often had no idea at all about the art…Więcej

Hen and rooster pecking at fruit in Roman fresco

A hen and a rooster pecking at a fruit on a Roman wall fresco. The artifact was found in Herculaneum. The object is on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.Więcej

Subarmalis – Roman “vest” under the armor

Roman legionaries wore under armour (lorica hamata, lorica segmentata, lorica squamata or lorica plumata) so-called subarmalis – quilted vest. The main task of subarmalis was to absorb shocks and prevent rubbing and dirt. Subarmalis covered…Więcej

Kottabos – Greek party fun

The game kottabos, extremely popular in ancient Greece, consisted in splashing the remains of wine from a vessel into a metal bowl in such a way as not to stain the floor with the remains…Więcej

Sucker from Pompeii

A medical tool – a sucker – which was found in Pompeii. The object is dated to the 1st century CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. Unfortunately, I do not…Więcej

Roman fresco showing two young women

Roman fresco from Herculaneum showing two young women, where one of them holds a wax tablet and a stylus for writing. Object dated to the 1st century CE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological…Więcej

Reason of war with Tarentum

In 282 BCE, Roman Republic was asked to intervene in the case of the Greek city of Thurii 1 In about 286 BCE Thurii asked for Roman protection in the region. This decision did not…Więcej

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