Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)

In the 1st century BCE Roman poet Gaius Valerius Catullus (c. 84 – c. 54 BCE) wrote a poem that was addressed to two critics of his work: another poet Marcus Furius Bibaculus and senator Marcus Aurelius Cotta Maximus Messalinus. The text was so vulgar and obscene that it was not translated from Latin until the 20th century.

Romans were not racists at all and not rated by skin colour. Seneca the Younger claimed that people with black complexion were not a surprise in Rome.

In 215 BCE Roman Republic was experiencing a powerful political and economic crisis. The defeats suffered by Hannibal in the Second Punic War cost Rome a great deal of lives and money. Therefore, the Senate began to look for different ways to save the state.

On August 9, 378 CE near Adrianopol (once Thrace, now the province of Edirne in Turkey) there was a great battle, the result of which Saint Ambrose summed up with the words: “the end of all humanity, the end of the world”. The goths who were admitted to the Roman lands defeated Valens army and directed the fate of the Roman Empire to decline.

The words of Julius Caesar “Veni, vidi, vici” felt after a quick victory over king of Pontus. In 47 BCE Pharnaces II of Pontus challenged Rome. The matter was resolved by Caesar during the quick campaign ended with the victorious battle of Zela (47 BCE).

O tempora, o mores!, meaning “Oh the times! Oh the customs!” – these were the words Cicero uttered against Catilina.

The kiss plays an important role in many cultures to this day. It was no different in ancient times. Ancient Romans used it as a sign of friendship, respect or even greetings (salutatio) of the client’s patron.

At present, there is a common misconception that the vomitorium was a room specially dedicated by the ancient Romans to empty the stomach during banquets.

Ancient Romans wore underwear. They were simple hip covers, tied on both sides. Roman lingerie had several terms, which was probably due to the many shapes and forms of clothing. It was referred to as subligar, subligaculum, campestre, licium or cinctus. 

In 80 CE the construction of the largest amphitheater – the Colosseum – was completed. It was inaugurated by the Emperor Titus with the start of a hundred-day uninterrupted games. Martialis recalls that one of the highlights of the games was the fight between the gladiators Priscus and Verus.