Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)

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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.

Pliny the Elder on hippos

As we read in the message Pliny the Elder, the Egyptian Nile River gives birth to large creatures, among whom he lists hippos. According to the Roman researcher, the skin of the animal is very…Więcej

Water or wine?

The censor Lucius Aurelius Cotta did not shy away from wine. During his tenure in 64 BCE Cicero applied for a consulate. A famous Roman orator was once thirsty for a drink of water. As…Więcej

Children of legionaries in camp

Even though at the beginning of the empire, Roman legionaries were not officially allowed to marry, they not only started a family, but they also did not keep it very secret. In 2013, in the…Więcej

Fragile fate of emperor

Of the first successors of Octavian Augustus, only Tiberius died a natural death. Caligula was stabbed to death, Claudius was poisoned, and Nero was forced to commit suicide. As it turns out, the emperor’s life…Więcej

Tomb of Alexander the Great

The tomb of Alexander the Great was already a cult object and a destination for expeditions in antiquity. To this day, it is not entirely clear where he was. Supposedly, in 48 BCE Julius Caesar…Więcej

Book publishing in Rome

Publishers of Roman books tried to prevent their private copying by “throwing to the market” multiple copies at once. It wasn’t just about the competition, but more about keeping the text correct. Careless and uncontrolled…Więcej

Adultery in ancient Rome

A married Roman woman who had intercourse with someone other than her husband had committed adultery under Roman law. According to ancient accounts, if she was caught red-handed, her husband or father had the right…Więcej

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…Więcej

In ancient Rome, proscriptions were used

Proscriptions (proscriptio) in Roman law consisted in entering into the list of outlaws – political opponents and, consequently, their property and sentencing to exile. The children and grandchildren of the proscribed person were marked by…Więcej

Harshest punishments in ancient Rome

The worst crimes in ancient Rome included kidnapping, adultery, arson, bigamy, forgery, incest, rape, sexual assault, theft and treason.Więcej

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