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Curiosities of ancient Rome (Places)

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.

Temple of Mithra in Garni

A restored Roman temple with an Ionic-style colonnade can be admired in Garni, east of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. It is the only building of this type in Armenia and the entire former Soviet Union and the highest of all known Roman temples (1396 m above sea level).

Temple in Garni with adjacent ruins

Resti di Villa Romana in Palermo

In the garden of Villa Bonanno, in the centre of Palermo (the capital of Sicily; ancient Panormus), there are remains of a Roman villa (Resti di Villa Romana) or even two – as I have read. Unfortunately, the place is fenced and there is no more information about the place. From behind the fence, you can see well-preserved floor mosaics.

Resti di Villa Romana in Palermo

Roman road in Marsala

In the archaeological park of Lilybaeum (Marsala, western Sicily) there are remains of a Roman road that, as cardo, crossed the city from north to south.

Roman road in Marsala

Roman villa in Marsala

In the northern part of the Lilybaeum Archaeological Park (Marsala, western Sicily) are the remains of a large Roman villa. The building was built on the ruins of older buildings and it is possible that the villa could have been built after the devastating earthquake that struck the region in 365 CE.

Roman villa in Marsala

Temple of Dioscuri in Agrigento

Temple of the Dioscuri (Castor and Pollux) in Agrigento was built in the middle of the 5th century BCE. The preserved four columns prove that they were made in the Doric order. The building had six columns on both sides; of the other two, thirteen.

Temple of Dioscuri in Agrigento

Tarpeian rock

The Tarpeian Rock (saxum Tarpeium, mons Tarpeius, arx Tarpeia), is the slope of the Capitoline Hill named after the Vestal of Virgin – Tarpea, who betrayed Rome for promises of gold bracelets/epaulettes worn by the Sabines. After conquering the city, the Sabines threw her shields over her, causing her death, and buried her on the hill. In memory of this gruesome act, the hillside is called the Tarpeian Rock.

Tarpeian rock

Roman baths in Marsala

In the northwest of the Lilybaeum Archaeological Park, there are remains of the Roman baths from the 3rd-2nd century BCE. Archaeologists also found traces of an older defensive structure on which baths were built.

Roman baths in Marsala

Temple of Concordia in Agrigento

The Temple of Concordia owes its name to the Latin inscription that was preserved in the vicinity of the building and proclaimed “the harmony of the inhabitants of Agrigentum”. The columns of the temple were made in the Doric order and date back to the 5th century BCE. There are six columns at the front and rear of the structure; thirteen on each side. The temple is located in the so-called The Valley of the Temples in the central part of Sicily, in Agrigento (Roman Agrigentum, Greek Akragas).

Temple of Concordia in Agrigento

Temple of Juno Lacinia in Agrigento

Ancient temple, which was mistakenly attributed to Juno (hence the name Temple of Juno Latina – Juno Lacinia), due to the preserved Latin inscription. The building was built on a natural platform and dates back to the middle of the 5th century BCE. It is a Greek building. The temple is located in the so-called Valley of the Temples in the central part of Sicily, in Agrigento (Roman Agrigentum, Greek Akragas).

Temple of Juno Lacinia in Agrigento

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