If you have found a spelling error, please, notify us by selecting that text and pressing Ctrl+Enter.
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.
Cursus publicus – post office of ancient Rome
There was also a post office in ancient Rome. It was called cursus publicus (“the way of the states”) and was a state post office, resulting from the territorial development of the Empire that required efficient communication and administration.
Cabbage goo – drug of Cato
Cato the Elder, author of the work De agri cultura, recommended the use of cabbage to compress wounds, swelling, burns and even bone dislocations. In turn, for arthritis, he recommended chopped, raw cabbage mixed with coriander and cured cabbage mixed with vinegar and honey.
Black stone from Emessa
Elagabalus was less than fourteen years old when he ascended the throne on May 16, 218 CE. Lost, he sought support from a god – El Gabal, whom he had served until recently. He brought from Emessa the black stone symbolizing Baal (most likely a piece of a meteorite; Herodian mentions that it “fell from heaven”) and made sacrifices before him, killing sheep and cows with his own hands.
Via Salaria – Roman road
Via Salaria (literally “the salt road”) is one of the oldest roads in Italy and is even older than the Eternal City itself. The 242 km long road connected the capital of the Empire with the Adriatic Sea.
Why do we learn so little about Byzantine history at school?
The Byzantine Empire was a continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire, which was created as part of the division of the Roman Empire in 395 CE, on the initiative of Emperor Theodosius I. It was also thanks to this ruler that Christianity became a state religion that began to have an increasing influence on the centre of power. The fall of Rome in 476 CE and the return of the insignia of power to Constantinople meant that the continuity of the Roman state was based only on the emperors from the east.
Roman duralex
Behind Emperor Tiberius, the “duralex“, non-fading glass was invented. Flexible glass (vitrum flexile) is a legendary, forgotten discovery that was lost during the reign of Emperor Tiberius (14-37 CE).
Water from Roman aqueducts was stolen
The running water that was provided by Roman aqueducts was very welcome. Often, however, not everyone was able to draw water directly from the aqueduct and had to go, among others, to public fountains.
