Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)

The most original cult of the Romans was the cult of genius. As a guardian deity, he was born along with a man, he guided his good and bad fortune. He was shown as a young man in a toga, with a veil on his face, a cup and a cornucopia.

During the time of the first emperor – Octavian Augustus – Princeps himself was highly appreciated by a medic, a certain Antony Musa. He used, in 23 BCE, a revolutionary method of treatment – different from other doctors – namely cold compresses/baths, which healed a seriously ill emperor.

Titus Livius mentions that approximately 170 women of prominent families were convicted in 331 BCE for poisoning their husbands. Other sources mention even larger numbers.

In ancient Rome, cranes were used for construction works. Roman crane (polyspastos) was manned by four men on either side of the machine. The crane was able to lift up to 3,000 kg.

The appearance in Roman mythology of Cybele is associated with defeats during the Second Punic War. In 205 BCE The Senate called on a college of priests to consult the Books of Sibyl about the results of the ongoing war. The priests have issued a verdict that the only thing that can save Italy in this tragic hour is to bring a new goddess to Rome.

In ancient Rome, a Roman salute performed with the right hand (called dextera or dextra) meant trust, friendship and loyalty or simple greeting.

Roman doctors knew anesthetics. Especially recommended herbs were: henbane and opium poppy. Nevertheless, the most important thing was to perform the operation as soon as possible, not to relieve the patient’s pain.

After defeating the Romans, led by consul Marcus Popilius Lenas, the Gauls captured and plundered Rome in July 387 or 386 BCE. Gauls agreed to leave the city subject to the payment of a huge ransom by the Romans, amounting to one thousand Roman pounds of gold (approx. 327 kg).

In 20 CE The Senate debated the proposal that provincial governors should not be allowed to take their wives with them to the provinces. Women were believed to be weak and prone to the hardships of travel, which could have made husbands poorly fit and mobile as stewards.

Ancient Romans used ink, usually made of rubber and soot, to write on papyrus and parchment. They used red ink to better visualize the titles.