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Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)

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.

Harpastum – Roman rugby

Sports were also practised naturally in ancient Rome. The game harpastum was especially popular in the army. It is considered the ancestor of today’s rugby, although some believe that today’s football also comes from this discipline.

Harpastum

Hunting in Roman world

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.

Elephant on Roman mosaic

Carrodunum

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.

View of Cracow in 1697

Manumission slave in Rome

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.

Phrygian god of vegetation Attis in a Phrygian cap

Roman horses were excellently trained

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.

Roman mosaic with a wounded horse

Crimen laesae maiestatis

Crimen laesae maiestatis in Roman law was a crime of offending majesty, punished as treason. Roman law considered crimen laesae maiestatis not only attacks or attempts to overthrow the emperor, but also threats, offensive statements about the person or name of the emperor or jokes about him.

Nikolai Bodarevsky, Trial of the Apostle Paul

Impressive fortifications of Dacians

Dacians were a people living in what is now Romania and part of Hungary. To this day, we can admire the remains of buildings and fortresses they built in the Orăștie mountains, which are part of the Carpathians. They prove how well-developed the Dacians were.

Remains of buildings in Sarmizegetusa Regia

How did ancient Romans lose weight?

Many people ask themselves how to lose weight in an easy and fun way. The answer to this question is not easy. As it turns out, people in ancient times had similar problems. Let us ask ourselves: how did the ancient Romans lose weight?

Roman mosaic showing women playing a ball

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