Curiosities of ancient Rome (Society)
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Myth: Romans often binged and vomited to keep eating
The image of the ancient Roman in the popular imagination – perpetuated by cinema, literature, and popular culture – is often a half-naked figure reclining in a luxurious triclinium, surrounded by wine, fruit, roasted meat, and slaves fanning him during ... Read more
Praegustator – slave testing food
In ancient Rome, there was a praegustator – usually a slave- whose job was to taste food intended for important people (patricians or emperors) to make sure it wasn’t poisoned. Interestingly, Columella (the author of the first-century Roman agricultural treatise ... Read more
Nomenclator – slave who recalled names
In ancient Rome, there was a special type of slave called a nomenclator whose job was to remind the Roman patrician of the names of everyone he met. In a society where connections and social networks were crucial to political ... Read more
Myth: Romans always ate lying down during feasts
A common image of social life in ancient Rome is of patricians reclining on their sides in the triclinium (dining room), wine and food during long feasts. The popular imagination is that all Romans ate this way—rich and poor alike, ... Read more
Romans wrote curses – defixiones
In ancient Rome, spells and curses were written on thin lead tablets called defixiones. The Romans used them to curse a rival for reasons of love, rivalry, or pure envy. The tablets were often placed in tombs, wells, or temples ... Read more
Curatores aquarum – officials responsible for waterworks
In ancient Rome, the water supply system was managed by officials known as curatores aquarum. These were senators of consular rank, appointed by the emperor, responsible for overseeing the construction, maintenance and operation of the city’s aqueducts and water distribution ... Read more
Artisans and technologies in ancient Rome
Preserved objects show that the ancient Romans were excellent craftsmen, working with a variety of materials: from leather, fabrics, wood to metal and glass. In some areas, pottery was developed on a mass scale, with large workshops producing millions of ... Read more
Ius trium liberorum – “law of three children”
Ius trium liberorum (“law of three children”) was a privilege introduced by Emperor Augustus (ruled 27 BCE – 14 CE) as part of his social and demographic reforms. Its aim was to increase the number of births in the Roman ... Read more
Roman ‘bird’s nest’ hairstyle
In ancient Rome, bird’s nest hairstyles were especially popular during the reign of the Flavian dynasty (69-96 CE) and the late empire. Roman women, especially those from the aristocracy, experimented with their hair, creating impressive structures with numerous weaves and ... Read more
Medicamina Faciei Femineae – cosmetics in ancient times according to Ovid
Medicamina Faciei Femineae, or “Cosmetics for the Female Face”, is a fascinating treatise written by Ovid, one of the most famous poets of ancient Rome. This is a work that reflects the ancient approach to female beauty. It is a ... Read more
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