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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.
“The Last Roman” is a colloquial term used in historical journalism to describe a character who is considered the last representative of ancient culture and ancient Roman virtues in the face of the end of the age and progressive barbarization. The term comes from the work of Cremutius Cordius, a Roman historian who, being the advocate of the republican system, called “the last Romans” (ultimus Romanorum) of Mark Brutus and Cassius – the killers of Julius Caesar.
Suetonius mentions in his “Lives of Caesars” that the so-called Nero’s Golden House had a special dining room that moved day and night, like a celestial vault. In 2009, a building was found that fits the ancient descriptions, and which dates back to the reign of Nero (54-68 CE).
Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor in the years 161-180 CE, was one of the most eminent and best educated Roman emperors. Because of his unusual interest in philosophy, he was called a “philosopher on the throne”. Many of his thoughts have survived to our times, which we can find in his “Meditations”. One of the most beautiful is the following.
