Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)

Currently there is great admiration for ancient Greeks or Romans. Their culture or level of civilization is admired; also medicine. However, it cannot be denied that in the latter field the ancients were not always right, especially when it comes to the functioning of our body.

In 2013, during conservation work on the wall of the corridor at the Colosseum, scientists noticed a previously overlooked drawing of a phallus erection – dated to the third century CE. It turns out that ancient supporters inscribed such phalluses on the walls to ensure the success of their favorites, i.e. gladiators. What else did the Romans place on the walls?

Suburra was part of ancient Rome, located in a valley between the southern end of Viminal and the western slopes of Esquiline. In ancient times, at first it was a separate settlement, then incorporated into Rome, finally became a crowded district inhabited by the urban poor (very often in insulae). Suburra was also known as the Red Light District.

After the murder of Julius Caesar on March 15, 44 BCE, the conspirators originally planned to expel the former dictator’s body in the Tiber. Ultimately, however, for unknown reasons, they left his bloodied body in Pompey’s theater. Thanks to this, the doctor Antistius could perform an autopsy.

How did the Romans cope with their diseases and were they even aware of their aetiology? The answer to this is the “De Re Rustica” of Terentius Varro. This may surprise us, but hundred years ago we were aware of the presence of microorganisms and their pathogenic effect on humans!

The ancient author, Isidore of Seville in his work (Etymologiarum sive originum libri XX) mentions a surprising plant – herba sardonica – which was supposed to have surprising lethal properties. The victim who took a decoction from this Sardinian herb died with a smile on his face.

Marcus Aurelius, after the death of his wife, Faustina, who was younger than himself, was to resist the next marriage. He explained that he wanted to avoid any pressure from his stepmother on numerous offspring (Faustina and Aurelius had at least 12 children).

“Pyrrhic victory” is a victory achieved at excessive cost, for example with large losses in people and war equipment that are disproportionate to the achieved results. The name comes from the name of the king of Epirus – Pyrrus, who in the third century BCE waged a war against Rome. He had i.e. heavy losses but won at the battle of Asculum in 279 BCE.

Marcus Crassus was certainly the richest Roman of the 1st century BCE, if not the richest in all Rome’s history. He made a lot of money on construction, silver mining and loans for interest. He organized a “fire brigade” for the city of Rome. 

In ancient Rome, gladiatorial struggles appeared for the first time probably in the year 264 BCE. At the time, at the funeral of senator Decimius Junius Brutus Pera, which took place at the Forum Boarium, six warriors (three clashes) fought to commemorate the deceased.