Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)
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Rudis – training sword
Rudis was a wooden sword used by legionaries during their exercises. It was usually heavier than the normal sword used in combat. In this way, the legionary acquired the ease of using gladius. Rudis was also given to gladiators as ... Read more
Sea expedition of Carthaginian admiral Hanno
Hanno was a high Carthaginian admiral who lived in the 6th or 5th centuries BCE and who commanded a sea expedition that passed through the “Pillars of Heracles” (Strait of Gibraltar) and sailed along the coast of West Africa. We ... Read more
Seneca the Younger and Nero
The philosopher Seneca the Younger was one of those Romans who condemned public executions and lamented the influence they had had. they are on viewers. Ironically, it was his pupil, Nero, who became famous for his immoderate cruelty, which also ... Read more
Sacred border of Rome
Pomerium or pomoerium (literally “beyond the mountains”) was a line of a sacred character delimiting the boundaries of the city of Rome. In legal terms, Rome functioned as an institution only within these borders, beyond which there were simply lands ... Read more
Fear of fighting in arena
The performances in the Roman Arena were terrifying that the victims led to death resorted to any way to take your own life sooner. Seneca the Younger describes the case of a German who – under the pretext of having ... Read more
Vomiting during feast was not routine
The custom of vomiting (by skilfully manipulating a feather or a slave’s finger) during Roman feasts, although mentioned in various sources, almost always applies to only a few Roman emperors (Vitellius, Claudius, Nero; the latter helped himself with enemas); the ... Read more
Roman feast ended with drinking
Commisatio was the last part of the Roman feast (cena). At that time, the revelers consumed large amounts of wine, which was accompanied (similar to the Greek symposium) by discussions and reflections. Roman “parties” usually lasted until late at night, ... Read more
Julia was example of unfaithful wife
Augustus’ daughter Julia was an example of an unfaithful wife. Although in 11 BCE she became the wife of Tiberius, she did not avoid romance and love outside the marriage bed. Julia’s scandalous conduct resulted in Tiberius leaving for Rhodes ... Read more
Non sufficit orbis
Philip II of Habsburg became king of Portugal in 1581. To celebrate the union of Spain and Portugal, he commissioned the minting of medals showing his reign over Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean. In 1583 a gilded bronze medal was ... Read more
Fall of consular dignity in middle of 1st century BCE
In the middle of the 1st century BCE, the Roman republic experienced a real systemic crisis. A perfect example of this is 59 BCE when the consulate was held by Marcus Calpurnius Bibulus (son-in-law of Caton the Younger) and Gaius ... Read more
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