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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.
In ancient Rome, infanticide was a common practice. A child’s first days in the world have always been uncertain; in antiquity, many children did not survive even a few days due to heavy childbirth, diseases and poor health. Hence, they waited to give a name to the child. At times, the child may have been deliberately rejected by the parents.
One of the compelling reasons for Roman supremacy in antiquity was the large-scale conquest and provinces of new lands. The concept of a province is derived from the Latin provincia, i.e. the responsibilities of the governor in charge of the new territory.
Marcus Junius Brutus is best known for being one of the killers of Julius Caesar. In the historical tradition, he is considered a defender of the Roman republic and republican values. It turns out, however, that he treated these values freely and selectively, depending on whether they actually served his interests.
Many historians consider the murder of Julius Caesar to be one of the most important turning points in the history of civilization. Some go further and ask what would have happened to Rome without the murder, or what would have happened if Caesar had survived. Thanks to the preserved texts from that time, we have some insight into Caesar’s plans, which were ultimately never realized.
In ancient times, the Romans originally did not have great respect for doctors. Their knowledge and possible remedies came from rural life. Treated with simple home remedies. Cato the Elder writes that the father of the family – pater familias should have the appropriate knowledge.
Numerous antique sculptures with an engraved cross on the forehead or chin and a broken nose, for example, have survived to this day. These actions were the work of both vandalism and accident.
The Roman elite despised and worried about what the rest of the population did in their free time. Although the Romans coming from the upper classes had a negative attitude to shows and performances, where large numbers of people gathered, the bars, cheap cafes and eateries were worse anyway.
A very interesting story about the presence of the Romans on the Elbe was left to us by Velleius Paterculus, a Roman historian who lived during the reigns of Octavian Augustus and Tiberius. In 5 CE the Roman army led by the future emperor – Tiberius stood on the Elbe. What Paterculus tells us?
