Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)

In ancient Rome, selenite (referred to as lapis specularis, meaning “mirror stone”) was a valued mineral. Pliny the Elder emphasized the advantages of this mineral, which could be cut into thin layers through which light with a characteristic soft glow, similar to moonlight, passed.

Emperor Julian the Apostate (reigned 361-363 CE) went down in history as a sensible and righteous Roman ruler. He became famous, among others, for his actions to eliminate bureaucracy and improve the rule of law.

In a situation where the Roman slave could only determine whether the accused was guilty or not, he had to be subjected to mandatory torture. Only such testimony of a slave was considered true and certain.

In the ranking of people who had the greatest influence on the history of mankind, announced at the end of 2013, Octavian Augustus was ranked 30th place.

The Greek historian Polybius mentions that when he participated with Scipio Africanus in conquering (in 146 BCE) Carthage saw lions crucified. As it turned out, such decisions were made by the Romans.

Tribulus was a Roman weapon consisting of four sharp spikes or nails arranged in such a way that one of them always protruded vertically upwards.

In ancient Rome, it was realized that a high number of births guaranteed the proper development of the state and society. During the rule of Octavian Augustus (27 BCE – 14 CE), it was decided to outlaw abortion and contraception. As it turns out from paleopathological studies, the most common reason for the population decline was a low number of births, not infanticide or high infant mortality at birth.

On the tombstone visible in the photo I came across in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. The full Latin text reads: D(is) M(anibus) / T(ito) Fl(avio) Vero Aug(usti) / lib(erto) tab(ulario) rat(ionis) / aquarior(um) co(n)/iugi bene me/renti Octa/via Thetis fecit.

The famous phrase “Lucullus’ feasts” comes from the name of a Roman leader and politician from the 1st century BCE Lucinius Lucullus (117-56 BCE), who had a reputation as a gourmet.