Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)
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Beard in Roman world
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, ... Read more
Lead – Romans killer
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 ... Read more
Play with ball
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 ... Read more
Consequences of Spartacus’ uprising
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, ... Read more
Romans and druids
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” ... Read more
Largest Roman circus – Circus Maximus
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 ... Read more
Colosseum does not derive its name from its size
The construction of Colosseum was financed from loot obtained during suppression Jewish uprising (66-73 CE) led by Emperor Vespasian and his son, Titus. The Colosseum is the second largest building of antiquity after the Giza Pyramid. It was built in ... Read more
Remains of founding’s legend
The ancient Romans cared for tradition and myths on which attachment to their homeland was based. Naturally, the most important founding legend of Rome was the story of the twins Romulus and Remus. During the Roman Republic, during the times ... Read more
Indecent gesture in Rome
It happens that nowadays public figures abuse gestures considered obscene. “Infamis digitus”, i.e. the middle finger arranged in a manner reminiscent of male genitals was a gesture most well known in antiquity and already considered offensive and obscene. Octavian Augustus ... Read more
Resident of Roman tenement house
The life of a Roman living in a insulae – tenement house – did not differ much from the one we drive today. Also, you had to remember to pay the rent, which caused a lot of stress to some ... Read more
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