Unveiling what lies in (and out) Mormon temples' walls
Roman legend tells of twin brothers named Romulus and Remus who were abandoned as babies in the area which later became Rome. Found and raised by a wolf, as an adult Romulus later fought and killed Remus to become the first ruler of Rome.
Research has indicated that despite the acclaim for Roman plumbing and hygiene, Roman bathhouses and toilets served as havens for parasites.
Romans commonly used urine to whiten their teeth, as urine contains ammonia, a common household cleaner that effectively removes stains.
During Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival, a role reversal between slaves and masters took place. This celebration, dedicated to the god Saturn, acknowledged the freedom of slaves and even enabled them to voice their grievances against their masters.
Flamingo tongue, a favored dish among Roman emperors, was frequently enjoyed with pheasant brains, parrot fish livers, and lamprey guts.
The Appian Way, constructed in the mid-fourth century BCE, was the earliest significant paved road. It connected Rome to Brindisi and played a crucial role in facilitating the movement of food and troops within the Roman Empire.
Caligula commanded numerous merchant vessels to create a floating bridge measuring three miles (five km) in length. He subsequently spent two days riding back and forth on it.
A Vestal Virgin served as a priestess for the Roman goddess Vesta. They had a strong commitment to remaining chaste, and any discovery of their loss of virginity resulted in the punishment of being buried alive.
Julius Caesar, a military leader and dictator, governed Rome from 49 to 44 BCE, though he was never officially classified as an emperor.
Romans enjoyed reclining on a couch while eating their meals with their hands, occasionally utilizing a spoon, but never resorting to a knife and fork.
According to ancient chronicles, the Colosseum was occasionally filled with water by the Romans to host naval battles, attracting large audiences.
Gladiators, renowned figures of fame, generated substantial earnings for their sponsors who were reluctant to witness the demise of their valuable assets. Hence, fatal fights were infrequent occurrences.
In 211 CE, Emperor Caracalla ordered the killing of his brother Geta in the presence of their mother and prohibited her from expressing grief. Geta had been competing with Caracalla for power over the empire.
In ancient Rome, using the toilet was a communal affair. Romans would utilize a shared sponge on a stick to cleanse themselves following defecation in public open-air toilets.
During the Conflict of the Orders from 494 BCE to 287 BCE, the city was dominated by aristocrats, leaving small landowners and tradesmen with limited rights. However, the lower class emerged victorious by making labor-related demands.
Certain Roman emperors intentionally consumed a substance called mithridatium on a regular basis, which contained small doses of poison. Their reasoning was that this practice would build up their immunity to poisons, in case they were targeted for assassination.
Anyone convicted of murdering their father would be bound within a sack with wild creatures and thrown into a river.
The sewer system called the Cloaca Maxima survived the Republic and Empire eras and is still in use today for drainage purposes.
Claudius modified Roman law to allow his marriage to Agrippina, his niece. Their union took place in 49 CE, and they became parents to the future Emperor Nero.
Roman arenas were filled with spectators watching criminals being attacked and killed by wild animals, commonly lions and tigers.
Sweat and dirt scraped from the skin of popular gladiators would be bottled and sold to women. It was believed to be an aphrodisiac and a beauty treatment.
During ancient times, Romans consumed a peculiar energy drink consisting of roasted pig dung soaked in vinegar. Emperor Nero himself had a fondness for this rather unorthodox beverage.
The Romans believed in gods and goddesses who ruled over different areas of life. For example, Neptune was the god of the ocean, and they prayed to him to protect them at sea.
In approximately 67 CE, Emperor Nero entered into matrimony with a young individual called Sporus, and subsequently subjected him to castration, treating him as a female. Nero addressed Sporus using the name of his deceased wife, Sabina.
By the first century CE, it had become common for slaves to fight and voluntary women citizens to also engage in this violent activity.
It is estimated by experts that, after adjusting for inflation, the fortunes of certain charioteers were up to 15 times larger than those of present-day elite athletes.
Emperor Commodus sincerely believed he was the rebirth of Hercules, and insisted that the Senate recognize him as a divine being, referring to him as "Hercules, son of Zeus."
From its inception, Rome possessed a well-structured military force, led by Romulus, comprising 3,000 foot soldiers and 300 cavalry.
The conflicts between Rome and Persia for territory are the lengthiest military battles in history, lasting from 54 BCE to 628 CE.
The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was established in 330 CE. Its capital, Constantinople (now Istanbul), remained intact until 1453.
Sources: (All That's Interesting) (History) (History Hit)
The ancient city is full of stories. Many surprising facts are still being uncovered. Click to know them.
True stories about ancient Rome they didn't tell you in school
Amazing facts about the legendary city you may not know
LIFESTYLE History
From as early as the eighth century BCE, ancient Rome experienced remarkable growth, transforming from a small settlement into a vast empire that spanned across continental Europe, Britain, western Asia, and North Africa. The impact it left behind is far-reaching, encompassing the adoption of Romance languages, the development of the alphabet, and the creation of the calendar. Our perception of ancient Rome often revolves around emperors, gladiators, and awe-inspiring architecture. However, numerous aspects of this phenomenal empire remain unfamiliar to us.
If you're eager to discover the wonders of ancient Rome, explore the gallery.