Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)

The eruption of Vesuvius in August 79 CE was a powerful cataclysm. To this day, we can admire the remains of Pompeii inhabitants buried alive. And this is due to the brilliant method of Giuseppe Fiorelli.

The Roman aristocracy had such exorbitant needs that it even built ponds (piscinae or vivaria piscorum) on its enormous property, in which various species of fish lived, including moray eels.

Huns in ancient sources appear as beings worse than wild animals that came from the Far East and conquer other peoples standing in their way. Lack of information as to their origin and the motives for further aggressive conquests, an interesting explanation was made.

Naturally, ancient Romans also had their own expressions for all sexual activities. For example, the word cinaede meant a person who was anally penetrated.

Roman gladiators as an energy drink probably drank a drink made of vinegar, water and plant ash – this was the conclusion of scientists studying the remains of warriors from Ephesus (modern Turkey), discovered in 1933.

In Ab Urbe Condita, Titus Livius described the war that took place between Rome and Faliscans in 394 BC. In this war, the city of Falerii was conquered in a way, as was described by the victors, which none, whether god or man, can censure.

Christianity in its origins differed quite significantly from what we know in its present form, although the idea of ​​martyrdom raises vivid emotions among the faithful to this day and is still through it appreciated and praised.

Sponsiones were ceremonial promises, sureties and collaterals. Simply put, it was a verbal contract where one party asked the other if the other party promised to fulfil a certain benefit. If that person agreed, a bet was placed.

Map of the western part of the Roman Empire from 117 CE, which shows communication routes used in trade and transport. Grey lines represent land roads; black lines are rivers, used in transportation; dashed lines are sea routes.