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.

Laudatio Iuliae amitae – Caesar’s funeral speech in honor of deceased aunt Julia

Laudatio Iuliae amitae was a funeral speech given by Julius Caesar in 68 BCE in honour of his deceased aunt Julia (wife of Gaius Marius). The beginning of Caesar’s laudation (laudatio funebris) was preserved in…Więcej

Parricidia

Parricidia, was one of the most serious crimes in Roman criminal law. The term was used to refer to the killing of relatives. This act was penalized in the Cornelian Act on Killers and Poisoners,…Więcej

How far did Romans go – Roman territorial gains and expeditions deep into Africa

The map showing the greatest territorial extent of the Roman Empire is well known, as is the history of the Roman legion in China. But how far south did the Romans travel on their African…Więcej

Julian the Apostate against bureaucracy

The Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate, despite his brief reign (361-363 CE), contributed more to internal reform than any late- roman emperor. One of his decisions was to curb the bureaucracy and to reform the…Więcej

Caesar’s reforms and map of contemporary Europe

Gaius Julius Caesar introduced many reforms, the effects of which are still felt today. Many people will think of the calendar at this point, but no less important was the decision to grant citizenship to…Więcej

“Asiatic Vespers” – ancient genocide

As Italy’s last points of resistance were dying out in the war against allies, and Rome was calming down after the recent civil war, the king of Pontus, Mithridates VI Eupator, thrust a knife into…Więcej

Quintessence of apotheosis of Roman emperors – most significant visualization of power of Roman Empire right next to triumph

Paul Zanker in his book “Apoteoza cesarzy rzymskich. Rytuał i przestrzeń miejska” accurately describes the ritual of apotheosis, also known as consecratio. At the same time, he comes to interesting general conclusions, comparing the apotheosis…Więcej

To whom did the villa known as Villa Farnesina belong?

In 1897, in Rome, on the right bank of the Tiber, the remains of a magnificent Roman villa were found. As it soon turned out, its perfect condition and decorations surpassed the beauty of the…Więcej

Oak in the culture of the ancient Romans

On the occasion of the ongoing Olympic Games, it is worth mentioning that the plant that is directly associated with the everyday life of ancient Romans is the noble laurel (Laurus nobilis). The image of…Więcej

Shakespeare and Caesar

William Shakespeare, the famous English playwright, known to schoolchildren mainly as the creator of Hamlet and Macbeth, wrote many plays about the lives of historical figures, mainly of the old English kings. Among his works,…Więcej

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