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Curiosities of ancient Rome

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.

Roman sculpture depicting Minerva

Roman sculpture depicting Minerva (Athena), goddess of wisdom. The object dates back to the 2nd century CE. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

Roman sculpture depicting Minerva

Roman votive altars

Roman votive altars that have been reconstructed with light and show objects in color. The altar was built in honor of Jupiter, Fortune, Minerva, Neptune and Oceanus, in exchange for their intercession. The artifacts are in the Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle upon Tyne (northern England).

Roman votive altars

Roman bas-relief depicting scene of successful childbirth

Roman bas-relief depicting a scene of a successful childbirth. Midwives take care of a woman after giving birth, and a smiling assistant holds a newborn baby. The object was discovered in Ostia; dating back to the 1st-2nd centuries CE. The artifact is in the Science Museum in London.

Roman bas-relief depicting scene of successful childbirth

Reconstruction of street bar in Pompeii

Reconstruction of a street bar (thermopolium) in Pompeii. Thermopolium was an ancient street bar that literally means: “a place where (something) warm is sold.” This type of place was popular in Greek or Roman cities among the poor who could not afford their own kitchen. Nowadays, we could describe such a place as “fast food”.

Reconstruction of street bar in Pompeii

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