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.

Manumission in ancient Rome

The formal procedure for liberation of the slave (manumissio vindicta) took place in front of the praetor or consul and only with his consent (addictio). At least three people had to take part in the…Więcej

Gladiatrix

The main difference between a male and a female gladiator was the fact that a woman fighting in the arena was not a slave. Probably in the later Roman period, gladiatrices (singular gladiatrix) were also…Więcej

Description of zodiac signs according to Trimalchio

Description of zodiac signs according to Trimalchio, character of “The Banquet of Trimalchio” of Petronius. This heaven where the gods live, turns into as many different signs, and sometimes into the Ram: therefore, whoever is…Więcej

Nicolaus of Damascus wrote about his times

Nicolaus of Damascus was one of the few ancient historians that wrote about his times. His works have survived in a small part. He left accounts of the preparations for the murder of Caesar and…Więcej

Origin of Brutus

It has become common to say that Caesar’s killers were Cassius and Brutus. Brutus is the nickname of the Iunii branch. Iunii were a family from which the kings of Rome came from. The son…Więcej

New movie about Ben Hur

The creators of the new movie about Ben Hur had plans to make the film in the Circus Maximus itself, the place where the great chariot races were once held. However, as it turned out,…Więcej

Vandalism on Roman monuments

In 2015 happened another example of vandalism on the majestic monument of Rome. Two young (21 and 25 years old) American women carved with a coin letters on the ancient wall. Then they made a…Więcej

Dominant languages of Rome were Latin and Greek

The dominant languages of the Roman Empire were Latin and Greek. Latin appeared as a “language of rulers” and was widespread in the Empire, especially in the western provinces in the army and the courts.…Więcej

Longest word of classical Latin

A longest word in classical Latin is the word subductisupercilicarptor [24 characters], meaning “a person who criticizes and raises his eyebrows upwards” – literally, this term was for an extremely critical critic. Aulus Gellius (2nd…Więcej

Ave Caesar morituri te salutant! – how often did the gladiators say these words?

Ave Caesar morituri te salutant! (“Hail, Emperor, those who are about to die salute you!”) was a greeting of gladiators before the fight to the emperor. We know about the existence of this phrase thanks…Więcej

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