Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)
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Letter Y was not originally in language of Romans
The letter Y was not originally in Romans. Y was added to the Latin alphabet around the 1st century BCE to render Greek words better. This letter, to distinguish it from the Latin “I”, was called “I Greek”. It is ... Read more
Ancient hooligans
It seems that stadium excesses are the invention of our times. However, as early as 2,000 years ago, the ancient Romans faced similar problems. In 59 CE in Pompeii, there were riots at the local amphitheatre between the locals and ... Read more
Superstitions of Romans were really strange
Romans were very superstitious. They believed in many things that they could not logically explain. For example, the old superstition was known – kissing a female mule in the nostrils cured hiccups and a runny nose. It was also believed ... Read more
Romans used spider’s web to stop bleeding
Ancient Romans used a spider’s web to stop bleeding, incl. for cracked skulls and cuts after shaving. Although the Romans did not know much about viral and bacterial infections, by trial and error they concluded that the spider’s web is ... Read more
Ancient Romans and Greeks did not use stirrups
The ancient Romans and Greeks did not use stirrups that first appeared in China. The oldest image is from 322 CE. Stirrups are considered to be one of the greatest military discoveries in history, prior to the invention of gunpowder. ... Read more
Hypocrite Seneca the Younger
Seneca the Younger, living in the 1st century CE, the famous Roman Stoic, called the Philosopher, eulogist of heroic ethics, in his life, contrary to appearances, was not guided by beautiful beliefs. He was the tutor of Emperor Nero, at ... Read more
Where was Nero buried?
We all remember from elementary school the ending of the novel “Quo Vadis?” H. Sienkiewicz, in which he recorded the end of the life of Emperor Nero, based on the account of the ancient historian Suetonius: “It is time, then!” ... Read more
Rome was often hit by earthquakes
Research by seismologists and historical records show that Rome has been hit by earthquakes every hundred years over two thousand years.
Expansion and Hellenization of city of Rome
The city of Rome, despite great military successes in the republican times, could not be compared to the powerful and beautiful metropolises of the Mediterranean world, such as Alexandria. To this end, in the 2nd century BCE Intensive construction and ... Read more
Types of Roman prostitutes
Among Roman prostitutes, just like today, there was a division: luxury, middle-class and the lowest social class. Prostitution in ancient Rome was heavily institutionalized. They wore a special outfit that had to stand out from other Roman citizens, e.g. putting ... Read more
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