We know so much about the Ancient Romans thanks to the many written records they left behind. Sometimes it even seems that we know more about them than about our history. Of course, the school course and various textbooks cover the history of ancient Rome. Moreover, their achievements in politics and other areas are directly reflected in our modern society. Nevertheless, some facts will never be told in the lessons, because they are rather strange and unexpected, while others border on science fiction altogether.
10
Romans carefully guarded books that predicted the future
Books that spoke of the future of Rome and the fate of its citizens, including the inevitable end, were hidden from prying eyes. These weighty volumes were stored in the Temple of Jupiter, and only the wisest translator was allowed to touch them to learn about the future and find solutions to future problems.
According to legend, one old woman came to King Tarquin, who was at that time at the head of Rome. She offered him nine books at an incredibly high price. The king immediately refused, saying “Harramph!” In his hearts.
The old woman left and burned three books, and then returned to the king with the six remaining. And again I requested a high price for them. The king again refused. But this time he had doubts, and suddenly these books are actually so valuable.
The old woman burned three more and returned to the king with three books in her hands. This time the king immediately bought books. After studying the ancient manuscripts, it became apparent that they were prophecies that spoke of the grandiose grandeur and the inevitable fall of Rome.
From that day, books were kept in the strictest confidence and opened only when Rome was in danger.
9
Crassus Fire Brigade was the most corrupt fire brigade
Among the Roman rulers, three stand out most: Julius Caesar, Guinea Pompeii and Marcus Crassus. Caesar and Pompey with their grandeur overshadow Crassus, and he could have been safely sent to the sidelines of history. But there was a trait in him that markedly distinguished him. He was an incredibly mean and inhuman ruler.
One of the little-known stories about him concerns his fire service. In the end, a great municipality would be incomplete without a real fire service, which at any moment is ready to fight fire. But here's the thing, the brave division of the emperor came only to force the owner to give his burning house for nothing.
Just imagine, your house is on fire, and you are trying to soften the firefighters so that they doused it with water. And you will be given only two options - either let the house burn out, or sell it several times cheaper.
8
The public were, in fact, the mafia of Ancient Rome
Tax collector - a thankless profession is hard to imagine. The main goal of the Roman tax collectors was to thread the strings of others, leaving the crumbs to exist.
Modern tax collectors are just angels compared to their ancient colleagues. They arrived in the conquered provinces and were engaged in taxation. They especially zealously taxed the poor. Huge amounts were concentrated in their hands, allowing them to influence trade, delivery and cash flows.
The tax collected was called decuma (10% of income). Most of it settled in the pockets of Roman politicians, and they often turned a blind eye to the atrocities and cruel tactics of the public.
7
A man entered a rite that was only for women
December. Roman houses are full of pine branches, and the tunes of the vestalas are carried in the air. This is a celebration of the Good Goddess. She was also called Bona Dea or Faun. She was considered the patroness of women, childbirth, fertility, and also helped to treat female diseases.
Only women were allowed to conduct sacraments and rites dedicated to this goddess. Men were categorically not allowed. During the celebration, even all the male statues in the district were hanged.
But in 62 BC in ancient Rome a scandal erupted. Publius Claudius Pulhr, dressed in a woman’s dress, entered the house where the sacrament was held, taking a flute for more conviction. Of course, women quickly suspected something was wrong, and when they heard his rude voice, they immediately recognized him as a man. The rite was immediately canceled, and Claudius was put on trial. He was accused of sacrilege and sentenced to death. But the emperor needed Claudius in his political affairs, and he managed to persuade the vestals to soften the punishment. But for the rest of his life, Publius Claudius remained damned and lost his authority.
6
King Mithridates grew in the wild and was immune to poisons
Although not a Roman, the king of Pontus kingdom Mithridates VI played a huge role in the history of Rome. He was one of the most serious threats to the Roman state, along with a ruler such as Hannibal.
From childhood, Mithridates was persecuted by his mother. She did not want to see her own son at the head of state after the death of his father. He was forced to hide in the forest and live among wild animals. He was also fond of toxicology. He drank non-lethal doses of various poisons until he developed a stable immunity to them. Then he returned and ascended the throne.
Unfortunately, this strategy played a trick on him. During the riot, he was blocked in his own bedroom. Mithridates tried to commit suicide by drinking poison, but this attempt failed. He had no choice but to ask his faithful bodyguard to drive a sharp blade into him.
But about the most poisonous spiders in the world, read the article on our website TheBiggest.ru. Most likely, the poison of the most dangerous spiders would help Mithridates to commit suicide.
5
Sergius Orata invented “hanging baths”
As in our time, the rich Roman rulers and businessmen loved to relax in resorts, away from the annoying poor commoners. They bought real estate in the heavens so that the poor could not penetrate into these areas.
Sergius Orata was a successful entrepreneur in ancient Rome, and he was also a skilled inventor. It was he who first began to grow oysters, in order to then serve a delicious delicacy to the table of the rich guests.
But he is also known for inventing the "hanging baths." Sergius was a specialist in the field of water supply and heating. Hanging bathtubs are akin to our modern bathtubs. Some researchers claim that initially hot water was supplied from above into the tank, while others point to the complex water supply and heating system that Sergius managed to create.
4
Emperor Caligula appointed his horse a member of the Senate
According to the ancient historian Suetonis, the emperor Caligula was very fond of his horse. He loved her so much that he appointed him a member of the Senate. For comparison, it is as if some dog or cat would have been chosen as a member of the government.
Was it insanity?
Many historians conclude that such a step was taken to humiliate the rest of the Senate. Caligula stayed in power for a relatively short time. He tried to strengthen imperial power, which caused enmity between the elite and senators. Putting the horse on a par with them, he made them understand that even an animal could cope with their duties.
But about the largest breeds of horses read in our article.
3
Romans worshiped the gods of excrement
Sterculius was the god of fertilizers and manure among the Ancient Romans. Simply, he was one of the many deities that the Romans worshiped, so that things in different areas of life went as it should.
Also prayed and Kloasin - the goddess of the sewer. Imagine, there was one. Moreover, there was also the god of toilets - Fastens. It was believed that Cloasina was in charge of the entire sewage system of Ancient Rome, which was called Cloac-Maximus.
2
A handful of women accused of massacre by poisoning
If you notice, then the topic of poisons is often touched on in Roman literature. Poisoning, apparently, occurred at that time much more often than today.
The first recorded evidence of poisoning in Rome is associated with a large number of victims. Most likely, it was caused by an epidemic than poisoning. After numerous casualties among prominent citizens of Rome from the same illness, one slave informed the magistrates that all these deaths were caused by poison prepared by female warders.
Twenty overseers, including patrician ladies, were convicted of preparing poisons that they claimed were beneficial to the body.
How did the authorities prove their guilt?
They made these women drink their own decoctions. In the end, they all died from them. After that, another 170 people were found guilty of mass poisoning.
Was it an ancient form of terrorism? Who were those women really? What was their motive? All these questions remained behind the curtain of history.
1
Rome was ruled by a Shemale Emperor
Although Emperor Heliogabal is well known to historians, most people have never heard of him. This is not surprising, because studying such a depraved person in school is not very ethical. This ruler was a real transsexual.
He was handsome, but the opposite sex was of little interest to him. Although he was married several times. All the boys in ancient Rome were circumcised, and Heliogabal wanted to be castrated to look more like a woman. He often used female cosmetics, painted lips and put on women's robes.
There were legends about the perversion and debauchery of the young emperor, which even survived to this day.
Nevertheless, the first years of the reign of the Roman army supported him. They were pleased to see the sparkling and handsome leader in power. But after a while the Emperor’s entourage could not stand it, and a riot arose. Heliogabal was killed along with the whole family, put on stakes and carried along the streets, and the bodies were thrown into the Tiber River.
On this, our list of interesting facts about Ancient Rome came to an end. And what interesting things can you add on this topic? Write your messages in the comments under this article.
Posted by: sergej1984