Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)

Dies natalis (“birth day”) was in the Roman world the day of birth or the anniversary of the construction or event. Ancient Romans celebrated their birthday every year, in contrast to the Greeks who celebrated their birth on the same day each month of the so-called libation – drinking the most often mixed with water wine.

Marcus Tullius Cicero became famous for many won cases, speeches and sayings. He probably had no idea that it was due to his very original, as for the Roman, approach to the natural resources of his province, which today could be regarded as a precursor to the protection of biodiversity. Well, Cicero was not in high esteem of gladiators and often spoke critically about the involvement of animals in the games. He was outraged, among others, by the massacre of elephants during the Games organized by the Pompey the Great.

Ancient Romans sometimes had problems with determining the first seen creature that was brought from the next conquest. This is evidenced by detailed descriptions, which obviously pose a lot of difficulties to the authors. An example can be an extremely vivid description of an animal imported for the first time by Caesar for the needs of its four-day triumph in September 46 BCE.

The Romans were curious about the world. Conquered lands were not only a source of raw materials, food or cheap labor. Information about new conquered territories was evidence of how far the authority of the Roman Empire reach. The victorious leaders came with news of conquered peoples, their customs, and natural curiosities found in the newly seized lands.

The emperor Vespasian was an extremely accurate and thrifty person. He translated his traits into public life. He reformed the finances of the state, and primarily strengthened the treasure, which was heavily ruined by Caligula and Nero.

Ancient Rome is known for beautiful villas and majestic buildings in which the elite of the country lived. Most, however, of Roman society lived in small apartments, single rooms or apartments without any facilities. They collected water from public wells or fountains fed by aqueducts. Certainly no water was taken from the rivers, as they were aware of their strong pollution.

Galla Placidia was the native sister of the West Roman emperor – Honorius. In 410 CE she was captured by the Visigoths, who, commanded by king Alaric, captured and plundered Rome. While in captivity, she accompanied the Visigothic army in the march south of the Apennine Peninsula, and then to Gaul. Alaric showed her special favors, but only his successor – Ataulf – got married to Galla.

Julian the Apostate ruling from 361-363 CE was an exceptional paradox in his time. He was a man of immense intelligence who returned to traditional beliefs and who wanted to modify in parallel with changing world. Although he did not like constant expand of Christianity, he did not persecute the Church and only wanted to lower his rank to one of the many cults in the Empire.

Emperor Elagabalus was famous for his transsexual-orgiastic behavior. For example, he wanted to undergo a sex change surgery that was unmanageable at that time.

Beautiful and devout love also appeared in the world of ancient Romans. Two stories about women ready to sacrifice their lives together with the chosen ones have survived to our times.