Curiosities of ancient Rome (People)

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.

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.