Curiosities of ancient Rome (People)

Spartacus, the leader of the greatest slave revolt in Roman history, was most likely of Thracian origin, as evidenced by his fighting style in the arenas. He was incorporated into the Roman army as a soldier of auxiliary units.

Cassius Chaerea was a Roman soldier serving in the Roman army during the fighting in Germania. However, we are best known from the accounts of Suetonius as the person who killed the emperor Caligula for personal reasons.

“Sulla is a mulberry sprinkled o’er with meal” – this is how Lucius Cornelius Sulla was ridiculed by mocking Athenians¹. It was an allusion to his red face and a harsh rash against which piercing blue eyes gleamed. How does he describe the life of this Roman chief, Plutarch?

Marcus Fabius Quintilianus (approx. 35 – approx. 96 CE) became famous for his work “Institutes of Oratory”, on which many a humanist grew up. Quintilian taught the rhetoric for which he became famous in the Roman Empire, but he was also an outstanding educator. The scientist raised problems that concern modern people and that is why his thought is valid.

Boudicca, whose name means Victory (also known as Budyka or Boadicea), was a Celtic queen who in 60 or 61 CE rebelled against Roman power in ancient Britain. According to information obtained about her from ancient Roman historians – Tacitus and Cassius Dio, little is known about the previous life of this Celtic ruler.

The cynical use of the faith of fellow citizens to achieve their own political goals is not a feature only of today’s politicians. Already in the earliest periods, we find examples of people using similar practices. One such person was the Scipio Africanus the Elder (236-183 BCE), whom we know, thanks to reports from Polybius, that he had at least twice done such operations.

Marcus Claudius Marcellus/ was the nephew of emperor Augustus. He was born in 42 BCE and he was the son of Gaius Claudius Marcellus and Octavia the Yougher, the older sister of Augustus. Being one of the closest relatives of emperor, he became eventual successor.

Mark Antony was a Roman commander and politician. He lived in the years 82-30 BCE. He is mainly known for his collaboration with Caesar, his relationship with Cleopatra and the battle of Actium.

After the restoration of the throne to the king of Armenia, Tigranes II, Pompey the Great took with himself to Rome his son – also Tigranes. First, he placed him at home, later – with the praetor Lucius Flavius.

Publius Aelius Hadrianus was born in Rome in 76 CE. He owed his later position to his uncle (Trajan), who adopted him after his father’s death. In this way, he gave him the opportunity to gain experience and the ability to exercise power. Thanks to this he became the emperor in 117 CE. The ruling of Hadrian is usually associated with cultural flourishing and maintaining peace in the state.