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.

Attila – leader of Huns

Attila – the leader of Huns, one of the most important figures in the history of the late-antique world. Together with his brother Bleda, he inherited power from his uncle – Ruas. In the year…Więcej

Roman sarcophagus showing four busts

Roman sarcophagus showing four busts, probably family members. The cover imitates a tiled building. The object is dated to the mid-2nd century CE. The artefact was discovered in Thessaloniki and is now on display at…Więcej

Petrified Roman bread

Petrified Roman bread from 79 CE. On the bread, there is an inscription: owned by Celer, slave of Q. Granius Verus. The find comes from Herculaneum (near Pompeii) and dates back to the 1st century…Więcej

Roman mosaic in dining room

Roman mosaic in the banqueting room (triclinium) of a villa in Antandros, northwestern Turkey. The scene in the center of the floor mosaic shows a vessel and birds. The object is dated to the 4th…Więcej

Feast of twelve gods

Octavian Augustus was to organize the so-called feast of the twelve gods, i.e. a feast where each guest was dressed as a deity. The emperor chose the figure of Apollo for himself. The people of…Więcej

Roman tombstone of Gaius Popillius

Roman tombstone of a certain Gaius Popillius, who was shown on a representative chair. In front of him is probably his slaveholding a scroll and making the gesture of “horns”, thus drawing the misfortune away…Więcej

Cast of dog from Pompeii

An interesting find from Pompeii buried by volcanic ash. In the photo, is a cast of a dog that was found in Pompeii. The animal tried to break free from the chain in the face…Więcej

Roman relief showing plowing scene

Roman relief showing a plowing scene. Researchers believe that the scene may also be part of a larger composition showing the moment of sacrifice. The object is dated to the 3rd century CE; is in…Więcej

Odeon of Herod Atticus

Between 160 and 174 CE the Odeon, i.e. a building intended for musical performances, was erected at the western end of the southern slope of the Acropolis. The sponsor of the construction was Herod Atticus,…Więcej

Relief showing Roman birth

Relief on the funerary monument of a certain Marcus Ulpius Amerimnus and Scribonia Attica. The couple lived in the 2nd century CE and their tomb is in Ostia, near Rome. As it turns out, Scribonia…Więcej

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