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Unknown Facts are curiosities revealing little-known, surprising, or rarely discussed information from the world of ancient Rome and antiquity. This category includes unusual details, curiosities, and facts that offer a less obvious perspective on the Roman Empire.
Silphium, that is, the sylphion was a plant that enjoyed extraordinary popularity in ancient times. Its juice was one of the main exports of the ancient Greek colony of Kyrene (today Libya), and it was known and used throughout the Mediterranean. To this day, it has not been possible to identify it unequivocally.
Most publications on the Polish market are full of errors in this matter. Konstantin Nosow is the most perfect in the described subject (Osprey’s publication “Gladiators. Bloody spectacle in the history of Rome”, Polish version by Bellona). The illustration shows the most typical gladiators’ helmets from the 1st-4th century CE. The text describes much more matter.
Gaius Verres was an example of a wicked and greedy Roman governor who, while in office (73-71 BCE) in Sicily, committed countless thefts of works of art, tax evasion and speculation on grain prices.
To this day, it seems to us that Julius Caesar was the first Roman who managed to reach almost unlimited power in the Roman republic. The truth is, however, that in 82 BCE it was Lucius Cornelius Sulla, after conquering Rome, who took full power in the state.
Ancient Romans weren’t as passionate about hunting as the Greeks. They treated it more as a sport and entertainment than an educational element. Hunting provided movement and exercise.
Carrodunum was the name of the city mentioned in Ptolemy’s “Geography” (II, 11, 29) identified with today’s Cracow. The origin of the name is Celtic, as indicated by the particle dunum derived from the Celtic languages and meaning the city.
Manumission of a slave was referred to in ancient Rome as manumissio (literally “releasing from hand”). Originally, this practice took place in a public place, usually in front of a judge. The owner then touched the slave’s head with his walking stick and let him go. In practice, however, such occasions were held in the group of family and friends, and the slave would eat dinner with the family for which he was serving.
Roman horses racing in the quadrigas were known for excellent training. The case of Emperor Claudius proves this. whose coachman fell out of the quadriga at the start. Despite the lack of a driver, they ran 7 laps and won. After the race, they obediently positioned themselves at the finish line.
