Fragment of Roman relief depicting Emperor Marcus Aurelius
Fragment of a Roman relief from Hadrian’s Mausoleum depicting Emperor Marcus Aurelius. It is located in Glyptotek Ny Carlsberg in Copenhagen.
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Curiosities of ancient Rome
The world of ancient Romans abounded in a number of amazing curiosities and information. The source of knowledge about the life of the Romans are mainly works left to us by ancient writers or discoveries. The Romans left behind a lot of strange information and facts that are sometimes hard to believe.
Gaius Pescennius Niger and his coinage
Gaius Pescennius Niger appeared in the pages of history in extremely interesting and difficult times for Imperium Romanum. After the murder of Emperor Commodus and the short and at the same time tragic reign of Pertinax, the entire state plunged into a civil war that lasted until 197 CE.
Roman wall fresco depicting Amor fighting against Pan
Roman wall fresco depicting Amor fighting with Pan in front of Silenus – the deity of nature. The clash of these mythical idols was in ancient times a symbol of the struggle between love and desire. The object was found in Pompeii, in the house of Meleager. It is now housed in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
Short javelins – plumbatae
In the Roman legion, apart from the usual javelins (pilum), a type of short javelin (plumbatae) was also used. Plumbata was a kind of a dart approximately 60 cm with a lead load (ball), thanks to which the dart was stable during the flight. Its operation was similar to that of pilum with the difference, however, that it could be thrown much further. Thongs or something like wooden hand-held launchers was used for this.
Fragment of colored glass with image of fish
Fragment of colored glass with an image of a fish, which dates back to 2nd BCE – 1st century CE. Object found in Egypt.
Relief with mask
Bas-relief shows the profile of a figure with long hair, wearing a diadem decorated with leaves and bunches of grapes. The head rests on a wicker basket, partially covered with goatskin.
Helmets of Roman gladiators
Most publications on the Polish market are full of errors in this matter. Konstantin Nosow is the most perfect in the described subject (Osprey’s publication “Gladiators. Bloody spectacle in the history of Rome”, Polish version by Bellona). The illustration shows the most typical gladiators’ helmets from the 1st-4th century CE. The text describes much more matter.
Octavian Augustus as highest priest
Sculpture depicts emperor Octavian Augustus dressed as Pontifex Maximus (the highest priest). He is wearing a toga and his head is covered. His feet are shod in calcei patricii (shoes worn by the upper class of Roman society). By the leg there is a container (capsa) for official documents. The right arm of the princeps indicates that he is in the process of making an offering, holding a sacrificial chalice (patera), ready for a libation.
Gambling was extremely popular in ancient Rome
Gambling, betting and board games are still very popular today. As it turns out, gambling was also extremely popular in ancient Rome, as evidenced by the numerous game boards found in the areas of the former Roman Empire. It is worth adding that enthusiasts of board games were called “dicemen” (alaetores).
Easy conquest of Rome by Gauls
Conquest of Rome by the Gauls in 390 BCE in Roman historiography, it appeared as one of the most tragic events in the history of Rome. The city was to be conquered by the tribe of Gauls, who were most likely looking for new lands, or simply a group of Gallic mercenaries looking for new prey.
