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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.
Were condoms already known to the ancient Greeks and Romans? We can find a lot of information on the Internet that Roman legionaries used animal intestines (especially sheep) as condoms. Is this really true?
Boxing (pugilatus) was a popular sport in ancient Rome. In order to protect the hands from damage, fists were wrapped with leather thongs. With time, the harder skin was used, which increased the strength of the blow and caused more damage. Boxing came to Rome from the Greek culture, but their innovation was to “improve” the straps that wrap the fists by attaching nails and other sharp metal parts or mounting metal plates. The Roman glove was called cestus.
Hannibal – during the invasion of Italy, during the Second Punic War – took 37 elephants with him, of which 10 animals did not survive the harsh conditions and harsh winter. He used the remaining elephants during the battle of Trebia1. After this battle, the rest of the elephants died of wounds and colds, except for one – named Surus.
