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.

Nero was famous for his love of luxury

Emperor Nero was famous for his licentiousness and love of luxury. One of his ideas was to commission the construction of the famous “Golden House” (the so-called Domus Aurea). This investment was met with huge…Więcej

Marriage of Livia and Augustus

The marriage of Livia and Augustus was no different from the other Roman marriages. Livia was an exemplary wife who loved her husband; certainly faithful, which, moreover, is consistent with her impeccable upbringing. On the…Więcej

Carthaginians in South America?

Roman sources say that during the Second Punic War, when the Romans besieged Carthage, part of the Carthaginian ships broke the sea blockade of the Romans and sailed towards the Pillars of Heracles. They were…Więcej

Caligula’s dishonest bid

Caligula (reigned 37-41 CE) went down in history as one of the most unbalanced Roman emperors. During his rule, the emperor tried to obtain as much wealth as possible, including through auction. According to Suetonius,…Więcej

Cincinnatus – role model

For hundreds of years in Rome and around the world, a model of civic virtue was one Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus (“Curly”), also known as Cincinnatus. He was a patrician and Roman consul in 460 BCE.…Więcej

Trilitons – large blocks of stone

The largest known worked blocks of stone were found near Baalbek (in Lebanon). It is about the so-called trilitons, i.e. three boulders from the vicinity of the sanctuary from the period of Roman rule in…Więcej

Ironic Vespasian

According to Suetonius, Vespasian was extremely ironic about the practice of deifying the rulers of Rome. Supposedly, sensing the approaching death, he was to say: “I think I’m becoming a god” (vae, puto, deus fio).…Więcej

Skeleton of woman with preserved hair and eyebrows

The skeleton of a woman was discovered in a marble sarcophagus, which dates back to the 3rd century CE. Interestingly, the hair and eyebrows of a woman who probably died at the age of 50-60…Więcej

Roman soldier-farmer

As Seneca the Younger once said: “Wherever the Roman conquers, there he dwells” 1 Suetonius, Nero, 31 . The conquests of the Roman Republic resulted, to a large extent, mainly from the need to acquire…Więcej

Interesting facts about Augustus

The skin of Octavian Augustus was said to have many birthmarks; Suetonius even claims that they were arranged on the back and belly in the constellation of Ursa Major. In addition, Emperor August was terrified…Więcej

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