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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.
The ancient building Saepta Iulia on the Field of Mars was a place where in ancient Rome citizens cast their votes in the so-called tribute commissions (comitiatributa), deciding on the election of lower officials (aediles, quaestors)1 or sometimes the adoption of laws.
Roman mosaic showing a man carrying water dishes. The object marked the entrance to the caldarium (hot water pool) at Menander’s House in Pompeii.
In the middle of the 1st century BCE, the Roman republic experienced a real systemic crisis. A perfect example of this is 59 BCE when the consulate was held by Marcus Calpurnius Bibulus (son-in-law of Caton the Younger) and Gaius Julius Caesar.
Octavian Augustus (63 BCE – 14 CE) like virtually every famous personage, and even more so the ruler had to reckon with numerous rumours about himself. One of them was allegedly the emperor’s adoration of deflowering virgins, whom Livia was to send him from various parts of the Empire.
Roman Weisenau type legionary helmet, dated to the 1st century CE. The helmet is preserved without the cheeks. There is an engraving on the neck guard with the initials of the name of the soldier who wore it – Lucius Lucretius Celer. A Roman served in the centuria of Gaius Mummius Lolianus of the 1st Adiutrix legion.
Ancient handbag made of copper alloy in which coins were carried. The object is dated to the 2nd century CE. To spend the money, the purse had to be removed from the shoulder. The artifact is in the Kurpfälzisches Museum in southwest Germany.
The wife of Octavian Augustus – Livia – took great care of her body, caring for both its beauty and health. She reportedly had a large number of hairdressers, masseuses, dressmakers, and jewellers among her servants.
Amazing Roman mosaic showing a tigress attacking a calf. The object is dated around the 4th century CE; is in the Capitoline Museums in Rome.
Roman mosaic showing “surprised” Neptune in a chariot. Object dated to the 2nd century CE. The artifact is currently in the Musee des Beaux-Arts et d’Archeologie in Besançon (eastern France).
