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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.
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Almost all private Roman houses in Herculaneum and Pompeii had toilets. They were usually in the kitchens or under the stairs (Herculaneum Casa del Gran Portale house). Such solitary confinement rooms often had no doors, which would be unthinkable these days.
Marble bust of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus (17 BCE – 40 CE), Roman general and consul from 32 CE. He was the grandson of Mark Antony, the husband of Agrippina the Younger and the father of the future emperor Nero.
Roman ceramic drinking cups in the shape of masks with phalluses inside. The objects are on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
The so-called “golden period of the empire” consisted of the rule of the emperors: Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius (96-180 CE). At that time, the choice of the ruler was made by designating the person considered the most worthy and suitable, and it was possible due to the lack of direct heirs.
A fragment of a stone on which a wild boar hunting scene was engraved. The object was found in Chesters Fort, which was part of Hadrian’s Wall. It is possible that the drawing was created by a Roman soldier.
It is said that the ancient Greeks and Romans practised the deadlift (deadlift). Lifting a weight from the ground is the oldest “utility” movement and has been proven to be the most powerful for centuries. Heavy stones were grabbed and lifted off the ground.
Pompeii is one of the most amazing archaeological discoveries in the history of mankind. A well-preserved ancient city, with the remains of people who did not manage to beat the destructive power of Vesuvius in 79 CE. However, what gives us the most information about the life of those times are the preserved artefacts and buildings.
Roman bankers appeared in the 3rd century BCE. Initially, they were called trapezitai in Greek, but then the Latin name argentarii came into use.
