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Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)

The world of ancient Romans abounded in a number of amazing curiosities and information. The source of knowledge about the life of the Romans are mainly works left to us by ancient writers or discoveries. The Romans left behind a lot of strange information and facts that are sometimes hard to believe.

Amazing amphitheater of Scribonius Curio

Pliny the Elder mentions a certain amazing amphitheatre of Scribonius Curio, erected in 52 BCE.

27 January 2023

Amazing amphitheater of Scribonius Curio

Atia the Elder manipulator?

Atia the Elder, niece of Julius Caesar and mother of Gaius Octavian and Octavia was one of the most expressive female characters in the television series “Rome”. In the series, she was shown as an amoral manipulator who allows herself to play with the feelings and matchmaker of her family members to achieve political goals. Do historical sources confirm this?

25 January 2023

Polly Walker as Atia the Elder and James Purefoy as Antony in Rome

Death of emperor Augustus

In ancient Rome, the brutal, violent death of the ruler was inscribed in the logic of power to such an extent that today it is often said that the profession of “emperor” was the most dangerous profession in the world. Of the twelve emperors who died in the first century CE, only four died naturally. Murder as a way to change power was so obvious that natural death always aroused suspicion and was a source of conjecture as to whether no one had contributed to it.

21 January 2023

Roman sculpture showing Octavian Augustus

Method Ruina Montium

This is what is left of a mountain massif in Spain after the method Ruina Montium was used by the Romans. With the help of slaves, tunnels were dug in the mountain, through which the water was then diverted by at least seven aqueducts.

21 January 2023

Eagle – symbol of Rome

In Rome, the symbol of Rome – the eagle – was often shown accompanied by a serpent. They symbolized good in the form of an eagle triumphing over evil, which was represented by a snake.

20 January 2023

Investment in equipment

During the principate period, at least until the late 2nd century CE, new legionaries generally “bought” equipment from the army – they were given things from the legionary resource, and their cost was deducted from soldiers’ payments.

19 January 2023

Sex is good for everything

Pliny the Elder, Roman historian and writer of the 1st century CE, became famous for his work “Natural History” (Naturalis historia). In his work, he presents universal methods of dealing with ailments. According to Pliny the Elder, for example, sexual intercourse is a good remedy for lower back pain, poor eyesight and depression.

17 January 2023

Calisthenics

Calisthenics, physical activity based on strength training based on exercises using your own body weight (crunches, push-ups, etc.) was already used in ancient times, e.g. by the Greeks and Romans, and one of the earliest records of calisthenics is Herodotus’s account that it was used by the Spartans in training for the upcoming Battle of Thermopylae.

15 January 2023

Over 12,000 wrecks at bottom of Mediterranean Sea

More than 12,000 shipwrecks have been found at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, dating from around the 3rd century BCE to 2nd CE; much more than in the next century. This difference is not due to the fact that sailing skills have improved, but rather the well-being of the inhabitants has decreased, and thus sea trade has lost its importance.

13 January 2023

Over 12,000 wrecks at bottom of Mediterranean Sea

Subarmalis – Roman “vest” under the armor

Roman legionaries wore under armour (lorica hamata, lorica segmentata, lorica squamata or lorica plumata) so-called subarmalis – quilted vest. The main task of subarmalis was to absorb shocks and prevent rubbing and dirt. Subarmalis covered the chest and reached the hips.

11 January 2023

Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)

Amazing amphitheater of Scribonius Curio

Atia the Elder manipulator?

Death of emperor Augustus

Method Ruina Montium

Eagle – symbol of Rome

Investment in equipment

Sex is good for everything

Calisthenics

Over 12,000 wrecks at bottom of Mediterranean Sea

Subarmalis – Roman “vest” under the armor

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Curiosities of ancient Rome (Unknown facts)

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