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.

Teutonic fury

The Latin phrase – furor teutonicus (“Teutonic fury”) – was used to describe the aggressive actions of the Germanic peoples. It first appeared in Lucan’s Pharsalia to convey the qualities he attributed to the Teutons:…Więcej

Slave like animal

A slave in ancient times is a captive man, considered a subsistence animal because it benefits the owner. The food expenditures allocated to him are returned with the use of the slave’s energy and work.…Więcej

Baths – place of meetings of Romans

Roman thermal baths were certainly one of the favourite places where a Roman could relax his body. Tepidarium was probably the first place visited by bathers and was a kind of introduction to further hot…Więcej

First plebeian emperor

Pertinax was the first emperor (January 1, 193 – March 28, 193 CE) of plebeian origin. He was the son of a freedman trading in timber. He made a career in the army, where he…Więcej

Differentiation of species in antiquity

Distinguishing species of animals similar to each other, for example, all kinds of felids (and biodiversity was then, i.e. in the times of Pliny the Elder much greater than it is now), posed many difficulties.…Więcej

Partridges in world of Romans

Ancient Romans valued partridge meat very much. The partridge was an expensive bird, however. Martial mentions it in his “Epigrams”, which says that only the rich could afford them. Interestingly, however, preserved eggshells were found…Więcej

Constantine – good as Christian?

Constantine the Great, as he was officially the first Christian emperor, is seen today as a good ruler. It should be emphasized, however, that he had many lives on his conscience. In Constantine’s biography, you…Więcej

Constantine’s domination

Constantine the Great after assuming imperial power tried in every possible way to emphasize his dominant position. A huge statue of the emperor was set up in Rome, the surviving fragments of which (head and…Więcej

Theatrical masks in antiquity

The only ancient source of information about masks that were used in ancient times during theatrical performances is Julius Pollux, a Greek scientist from the 3rd century CE, who wrote the work Onomasticon. In his…Więcej

Wild animals from all over Empire

Introducing and killing wild animals for entertainment in amphitheatres or for expensive ivory or fur has led to a significant decline in species numbers across the Empire. As early as 50 BCE, Cicero, as governor…Więcej

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