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.

“Stepmother” – Roman camp

In the slang of Roman soldiers, a military camp that was located on uneven and unfavourable terrain was called “stepmother” (noverca).Więcej

Romulus’ ideas for increasing population

The legendary first king of Rome, Romulus wanted to create a great and populated Rome. To this end, it required parents not to kill any children until the age of three, unless the child was…Więcej

How were large transactions carried out in ancient Rome?

In 62 BCE Cicero was to buy a house from Licinius Crassus, located in a prestigious place – on the Palatine – until for 3.5 million sesterces 1 Cicero, Ad Familiares, V.6.2 . For this,…Więcej

Roman tokens in exchange for sexual favors

Sexual services were normally paid between 2 and 10 asses. Occasionally, special coins (spintria) were issued which, according to scientists, were in the form of our present-day tokens. They gave entry and the possibility of…Więcej

Romans loved their animals

The Romans really loved their dogs or cats. Some dogs had special medals with engraved instructions on how to deal with a lost animal. One of the bronze medals reads: “Hold me if I am…Więcej

Vegetarian diet of gladiators

The gladiator’s diet was mostly vegetarian by today’s standards. The basis of the diet was broad beans and grains, from which even the colloquial term for gladiators comes from – hordearii, meaning “barley”. This diet…Więcej

Construction disaster in Fidenae

During the reign of Emperor Tiberius, in 27 CE, the greatest construction disaster in ancient Rome took place. In Fidenae (a town not far north of Rome) a wooden amphitheatre has collapsed. According to Suetonius,…Więcej

Nero the Antichrist

Emperor Nero became famous primarily for the first persecution of Christians during his reign. Including he used the burning flesh of Christians as candles at his feasts. The Great Fire in 64 CE in Rome,…Więcej

Aeneas was very popular

Aeneas became an extremely popular figure during the days of the first Roman emperors (that is, in the 1st century BCE – 1st century CE) which probably resulted from the fact that the Julius family,…Więcej

Donate milk and ground snail shells – good balm in Rome

Donkey’s milk and ground snail shells were the best-selling lotions in Ancient Rome. The effective action of donkey’s milk is already mentioned by Hippocrates (460-370 BCE). Pliny the Elder, in turn, mentioned the healing properties…Więcej

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