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Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)

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.

Penteconter – great colonization galley

Thinking about the ships of ancient Greece, we certainly see fast and slender triers, with protruding, shiny brown beaks and rowers sitting in three rows, one above the other.

25 July 2020

Three units taking order in Eternal City

In the Roman Empire, there were three forces to ensure order in the Eternal City. The most famous are the praetorians, the emperor’s soldiers, who abused their power more than once.

24 July 2020

Gesture manus fica

The manus fica (“fig sign”) gesture, popular especially in Italy and southern Europe (even Turkey), dates back to the times of ancient Rome. The gesture consists of placing the hand in such a way that the thumb is between the index and middle fingers.

17 July 2020

Roman skyscrapers

In 1884, the first skyscraper was built in Chicago, USA. It was 42 meters high. Shortly afterwards, the New York World Building exceeded a hundred meters. In both cases, however, it was only an imitation of the ancient Romans. The first skyscrapers grew in ancient Rome. They were