Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)

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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.

Games in the Greek style

Although Domitian is considered a cruel emperor, he tried to introduce a series of games in the Greek style, that is based on sports competitions. The first took place in 86 CE. In order to…Więcej

Canary Islands in antiquity

The Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa, were certainly known to the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean. Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians reached the islands. According to the sources from…Więcej

Exotic animals in Rome

Animals were delivered from distant parts of the Roman Empire to show the crowd the size of the conquest and show the wonders brought from distant lands. Those were sent by provincial administrators, and even…Więcej

Organization at games

The organization of gladiatorial fights has become a great task in which intermediaries and entrepreneurs of all specialties were involved. Lanistae – these were the touts recruiting impoverished sons of ruined families, slaves and all…Więcej

Fighting to death

Fighting to death – munera – come from a sacrifice in honor of the dead and have an Etruscan pedigree. At first gladiatorial fights were arranged by the family on the grave of deceased ancestors.…Więcej

Number of games

Augustus demanded officials of organizing the performances. These was so expensive that they led the officials to ruin and often required financial support from Augustus himself. It was a way to prevent the officials from…Więcej

“Bread and circuses”

“Panem et circenses” – “bread and circuses” – according to popular messages, these demanded Roman people. Those being in power were well aware of the mood of the people. The Games were a political tool…Więcej

Volumnia

For a long time, women were not allowed to appear in theatrical performances, and women played men’s roles. The only exception was a group of mimes, among whom you could meet women. One of the…Więcej

Imitation of animal voices

As Petronius claims, one of favorite plays of Romans was imitating animal voices, and people of certain professions, giving away their movements, gesticulations or way of speech. It seems that the barbers or hairdressers were…Więcej

Did ancients cipher messages?

Did the ancients cipher messages? Of course – they used the so-called Laconian cane for this purpose (scytale). The Ephores, Spartan officials, had the habit of sending orders to chiefs being abroad, writing them across…Więcej

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