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.

Crassus’ fire brigade

Marcus Licinius Crassus was one of the richest Romans in history. One of his ways to become rich was organizing a “fire brigade”. It is worth mentioning that in the half of the 1st century…Więcej

Unhappy number 17

In Italy, the number 17 is considered unhappy. After converting Roman numerals XVII in such a way as to create the word “VIXI”. In Latin, the word means “my life is over.”Więcej

Roman aphrodisiacs

Pliny the Elder wrote that the white juice of lettuce calms the love enthusiasm, but also lowers the fever and also increases the volume of blood. What salad was it? Modern researchers have discovered that…Więcej

Women “mares”?

Claudius Aelianus mentions that he heard that mares are the only animals that once pregnant allow stallions to copulation. He compared them to women. Mares are extremely passionate and therefore Roman strict moral censors called…Więcej

Roman origins of Valentine’s Day

It is possible that the customs associated with the celebration of Valentine’s Day refer to the ancient Roman feast, called Lupercalia, celebrated on February 15 in honour of Faun or the ancient god of the…Więcej

Fight of ichneumon and cobra

Claudius Aelianus presents the struggle of ichneumon (Egyptian mongoose, also called the pharaoh’s rat) with a cobra. Ichneumon does not move to attack the enemy without caution and rashly. Just as a man can defend…Więcej

Famous centurion stick

The famous centurion stick – vitis, a sign of function, a punishment tool. It was made of vine wood, and it was implemented during the Punic wars. It was about 0,9 meters long. Tacitus mentions…Więcej

Romans did surgery to remove kidney stone

Ancient Romans performed kidney stone surgery. This was described by Aulus Cornelius Celsus in his treatise “De medeicina”. He described there lithotripsy – crushing kidney and ureter stones. The surgeon used a tool similar to…Więcej

How to capture elephant?

Claudius Aelianus, a Roman writer, states that Indians had difficulty with catching an adult elephant. That’s why they went to the swamp and there they caught small baby elephants. The favorite place of staying elephants…Więcej

Epicureans expelled from Rome

The Romans expelled Alcæus and Philiscus out of the City, because they taught the young men many dishonest pleasures. The Epicureans were expelled either in 173 or 154 BCE. They were both probably Greek and…Więcej

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