Curiosities of ancient Rome

This page is also available in: Polish (polski)

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.

Roman mosaic in villa La Olmeda

Roman mosaic in the villa of La Olmeda in the province of Palencia, Spain. In Greek and Roman culture, a single swastika was extremely rare. She is more often seen in groups. This sign was…Więcej

Base of Roman bowl

Base of a Roman bowl with two figures painted on it. Object dated to the 3rd-4th century CE; the artifact is on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.Więcej

Signet ring with likeness

Emperor Augustus wore a signet ring with his own likeness on his finger. His successors continued the tradition, wearing it on their fingers as a memento of the great ruler. The exception was Galba, who…Więcej

Terror and retirement of Lucius Cornelius Sulla

Lucius Cornelius Sulla (138-78 BCE) became famous as the first Roman politician who gained unlimited power in practice. After winning the civil war in 82 BCE he appointed himself a dictator without a time frame.…Więcej

Great bathtub of Emperor Nero

Great bathtub of Emperor Nero, made of porphyry. The object was originally located in Nero’s palace (Domus Aurea); it is now in the Vatican museums in Rome.Więcej

Stingy Vespasian

Emperor Vespasian was extremely stingy. This feature may seem bizarre and preposterous, considering that during his reign, construction began on the largest and certainly the most expensive public structure – Colosseum. Vespasian was once criticized…Więcej

Roman piggy bank

Romans also knew how to save. Proof of this is a Roman piggy bank found in Viminacium, a Roman city and fort in Moesia (present-day Serbia).Więcej

Roman portrait of Alexander Severus

Roman portrait of Alexander Severus, also known as Alexianus Bassianus, who was the last emperor of the Severan line. On the throne of Rome, he succeeded his cousin Elagabalus, who died as a result of…Więcej

Term “Eternal City”

Name “Eternal City” (Urbs aeterna) was finally given to Rome by Emperor Hadrian, but he had already used it before 1st-century writer Tibullus in “Elegies”. Even Ovid and Livy mentioned the eternity of Rome. After…Więcej

Reconstruction of scroll case

Reconstruction of a cylindrical case made of leather for papyrus scrolls (capsa). Few Roman works on papyrus have survived to our times, especially in Latin. This is due to the fact that papyrus was produced…Więcej

IMPERIUM ROMANUM needs your support!

If you like the content I collect on the website and share it on social media channels, I will be grateful for your support. Even the smallest amounts will allow me to pay for further corrections and improvements on the site and pay for the server.

Support IMPERIUM ROMANUM!

Discover secrets of ancient Rome!

If you want to be up to date with the newest articles on the website and discoveries from ancient Rome, subscribe to the newsletter, which is sent each Saturday.

Subscribe to newsletter!

Classic mobile version