Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)

This page is also available in: Polish (polski)

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.

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…Więcej

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…Więcej

Could Augustus have had penchant for young girls?

Octavian Augustus (63 BCE – 14 CE) like virtually every famous personage, and even more so the ruler had to reckon with numerous rumours about himself. One of them was allegedly the emperor’s adoration of…Więcej

Caesar with hair?

Really the nickname Caesar, actually caesar derives from the word caesaries, meaning shag, long hair. So Caesar, Caesar, it’s kind of “shaggy”. According to Scriptores Historiae Augustae, the Phoenician word means “elephant,” because Caesar’s ancestor…Więcej

Roman medicine was of high standard

Roman medicine had its high level, especially in the legions. Celsus, a Roman scholar in the 1st century CE, claims that military doctors knew human anatomy much better than their colleagues in private practice. The…Więcej

Roman absolutism

From the end of the 3rd century CE, the emperor ceased to be princeps to become “domine” – dominat. We owe the new type of government to Diocletian, who ruled from 284 to 305 CE.…Więcej

Pangiallo – yellow bread

In the Latium region to this day, one of the typical Christmas cakes is the so-called yellow bread – pangiallo. Its roots go back to the era of the Roman Empire. Back then, pieces of…Więcej

Pine was sacred tree

Pine (Pinus pinea) has been a sacred tree in the Apennine Peninsula since the Punic Wars (well before the advent of our era). A frequent element of the landscape, it was a symbol of eternity.…Więcej

What did Chinese call Roman Empire?

Daqin (literally “Great Qin”) was the historic name for the Roman Empire in China. This name comes from the Chinese dynasty founded by Qin Shihuangdi, which ruled the Qin state. This ruler was also the…Więcej

Fear of death

Roman citizen Caecina Petus was involved in a plot (42 CE) against Emperor Claudius. Sentenced to death by the emperor, he was to take his own life. He hesitated, however, and could not dare to…Więcej

IMPERIUM ROMANUM needs your support!

If you like the content I collect on the website and share it on social media channels, I will be grateful for your support. Even the smallest amounts will allow me to pay for further corrections and improvements on the site and pay for the server.

Support IMPERIUM ROMANUM!

Discover secrets of ancient Rome!

If you want to be up to date with the newest articles on the website and discoveries from ancient Rome, subscribe to the newsletter, which is sent each Saturday.

Subscribe to newsletter!

Classic mobile version