Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)

Prostitutes in Rome had a low social respect due to the fact that they were trading their body in exchange for survival. Actors, dancers or musicians had a similarly low opinion. Interestingly, people from the middle or high social class were not allowed to engage in prostitution.

Various types of cosmetics already existed before ancient Rome. The place where they were used was Greece or Egypt, from where various beauty products were borrowed. With the expansion of the Empire, cosmetics were also imported from China, Germany and Gaul.

In ancient Rome, being born with a hooked nose was considered a sign of leadership. The Romans saw a person with an “eagle’s nose” as beautiful and dignified. They were referred to as aquiline noses; the name comes from the word aquilinus (“eagle-like”).

After the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE, Mark Antony came up with the idea of ​​honoring deceased ruler and name the seventh month with his name. This is how Latin Julius, French Juillet and English July were created, which is simply July (in our name comes from summer blooming July).

A qualified hairdresser (tonsor) in Rome could make a career and earn good money. It should be noted, however, that shaving was not very pleasant and easy at the time. The Romans used much worse steel than we do today, and it has often happened that the razor (novacula) quickly blunted. In addition to shaving, cutting and waxing, hairdressers also offered the removal of individual facial hair with tweezers (volsella).

Roman women lubricated their faces with lead paste, which whitened their skin (pallor was extremely fashionable). Lead has often been used as a sweetener and food preservative. It is believed that using a large amount of defrutum (sweet wine) badly affected the health of the Romans. However, it should be mentioned that in ancient times no one knew about the harmful meaning of this element.

Most people talk about Roman fun and entertainment, paying particular attention to gladiator fights, libraries, theatre, etc. The above-mentioned entertainments were undoubtedly of great value to the ancient Romans, but they took place only once in a while. So how did they fill this waiting time?

The slave revolt under Spartacus, in the years 73-71 BCE, was finally suppressed by Marcus Crassus and partly by Pompey Magnus. It was the largest slave uprising in ancient Rome. Most of the insurgents were killed in direct fighting. However, six thousand prisoners captured by Crassus’ legions were crucified on the Appian road from Rome to Capua, where the rebellion began.

When, in the first century CE, during the reign of emperor Claudius, the Romans invaded the British Isles. The hordes of Celtic warriors, despite fierce and courageous resistance, finally had to succumb to criminal and well-trained legionaries, and “Pax Romana” quickly became an accomplished fact on the islands. However, not everyone liked the Roman occupation. The most numerous group in the anti-Roman opposition were druids, whom the Romans ruthlessly persecuted. But who were the druids?

The first real Roman circus was Circus Maximus built for chariot racing. In 329 BCE, the finish, stables and coach houses were fixed for the first time. In the middle, statues of deities were placed, e.g. Pollentia (Overpowered Strength), and a system for marking stages in the form of large wooden eggs – septem ova, which moved on a pole – spina – marked the stage of the run.