Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)
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Lucius Cornelius Sulla began his political career thanks to courtesan
The later dictator of the Roman republic, Lucius Cornelius Sulla, also known as Felix because of his allegedly favourable fortune throughout his life, could start a political career thanks to his acquaintance with a person through whom his contemporary political ... Read more
Roman and Latin colonies
In addition to the Roman colonies being strategic hubs, whose inhabitants were full Roman citizens, so-called Latin colonies whose inhabitants did not have full political rights. The Latin colonies had autonomy and were obliged to provide Rome with a military ... Read more
Romans against ecology
Currently, the Mediterranean area is heavily deforested. Deforestation during the Roman period was the result of the Empire’s territorial expansion, population growth, large-scale agriculture and rapid economic development. Rome led Western Europe to a large extent towards development, which brought ... Read more
Prominent claimants to throne after death of Commodus
Murder of Commodus at the end of 192 CE it ended the reign of the Antonine dynasty and certainly the best period of the existence of the Roman empire. He was succeeded by Pertynax, a respected senator and efficient leader ... Read more
Roman shoemakers
Certainly, the Roman shoemakers (sutor) were very good artisans and their products were widely worn throughout the Mediterranean. Most often, the inhabitants of the Tiber wore the most ordinary sandals (sandalia or soleae). Shoes (calcei – from the word calx ... Read more
Demand for services of prostitutes
Demand for prostitutes was on the agenda and relatively high. The earnings of prostitutes were subject to taxation by the state, which also, thanks to appropriate legislation, secured the money invested in the lupanaras of that time. The owner of ... Read more
Skull of defeated gladiator
Preserved gladiator skull with visible traces of a trident hit. This weapon was used by the retiarus – a lightly armoured warrior who also had a net that he threw at his opponent to restrain him. Most often, his rival ... Read more
Where did “Abracadabra” come from?
The word “abracadabra ” first appears in Liber Medicinalis (known as De Medicina Praecepta Saluberrima), a medical book written in verse in Latin. It is believed that the author could have been Quintus Serenus Sammonicus, a court scholar of Emperor ... Read more
Defrutum and lead problems
Defrutum (or carenum or sapa) is a grape juice (so-called must), which is boiled with spices until it thickens and acquires a sweet taste. The substance prepared in this way served in ancient Rome as a sweetener. Normal wine for ... Read more
Many diseases among poor
More than 90% of the population of Roman Empire came from the rural poor and it was barely making ends meet. The Roman historian Titus Livius mentions a centurion who in the 2nd century BCE. After inheriting a provincial house ... Read more
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