Curiosities of ancient Rome (People)

Emperor Caracalla reigning in the years 211-217 CE had a bad reputation among historians who were senators. It is mentioned that after the murder of his brother, the emperor let out a wave of terror against Geta’s followers, resulting in death of up to 20.000 people. Certainly, however, it should be emphasized that the son inherited from his father – Septimius Severus – commanding talent.

Emperor Diocletian came from a poor family from the Salona area. He owes his position to hard work and military capabilities, thanks to which he quickly advanced to the highest levels of the Roman army. Among other things, he was the commander of Emperor Numerian’s bodyguard. Therefore, he enjoyed high trust. The emperor was proclaimed emperor in 284 CE.

Nicolaus of Damascus (around 64 BCE – around 14 CE) came from one of the finest families in Coele-Syria; he was a friend and a trusted diplomat of Herod the Great. He traveled alongside Herod in all oikumene, the community – helping in his diplomatic missions, including to Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen. After the death of Cleopatra and Mark Antony she was their tutor children who were taken care of by Octavia, sister of Octavian Augustus.

Sporus is an example of the tragic fate of a slave. He was a Roman slave who was adored by Emperor Nero because he reminded him of his dead wife Poppaa Sabina. Nero asked to subject the boy to castration and in the autumn of 66 CE during the emperor’s journey around Greece, he married him.

Emperor Carinus ruling in the years 282-285 CE was considered the worst ruler of Rome in history. According to “Augustan History”, he had nine wives, some of whom he left because they were pregnant. He was also known to be fond of noblewomen, with whom he flirted and had romance in their presence. He was also famous for numerous unjustified death sentences, including old school friends who mocked him in class.

Agrippina the Younger was initially adored by her son Nero. He took power after Emperor Claudius, who was poisoned with a mushroom dish in 54 CE, mainly due to the active actions of his mother.

Marcus Cornelius Fronto, teacher of the emperor Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, came from the province of Numidia in northern Africa. His ancestors were probably the Italian settlers, but as he said about himself, he was a “Libyan born of Libyan nomads”.

Roman sources have left us messages about many Roman heroes. One of them was Marcus Cassius Scaeva – centurion of Julius Caesar during the civil war with Pompey. After the battle of Dyrrachium (48 BCE), he was the head of the cohort, which belonged to legio VI. The aim of this unit was to defend a certain fortress against the four legions of Pompey’s army.