Ancient Romans spent an enormous amount on luxurious tombs as status symbols to ensure they would be remembered after death.
Ancient folk remedies were known for using pee, specifically its ammonia content, to bleach and deep clean clothes. This proved particularly successful against mold growth.
1. It was the first city in the world to have a population of 1 million.
At its height during Roman Imperial rule, Rome became the first city ever to reach an estimated population of more than one million residents – no other city would reach such numbers until modernity arrived.
At this time, Roman conquest of Europe and northern Africa saw them build roads, aqueducts, spread Latin to every corner of Europe and North Africa, as well as creating great works of art like Bramante Michelangelo Raphael leaving their mark with some of the greatest works ever seen before. This period also witnessed cultural expansion as famous artists like Bramante Michelangelo Raphael made Rome their home, producing some of history’s greatest works of art ever produced.
Rome has an uncertain beginning; its foundation may have started from a village founded around 625 BCE, then becoming a city-state and then eventually expanding into an empire.
According to legend, Rome was established by Romulus and Remus, twin twins raised by a she-wolf mother. After being abandoned on the Tiber River baskets by their parents, Romulus and Remus were saved by another she-wolf mother and eventually went on to found Rome.
Later, Rome expanded to cover an enormous territory encompassing central Italy and southern France. Roman forces conquered all other major powers in the Mediterranean region including Carthage (now Tunisia in northern Africa) and Greece.
But, ultimately, Rome collapsed under its own weight. Over time, Roman state territories gradually diminished, until Attila’s Huns deposed its last King of Rome in 455.
2. It was the birthplace of the first known legal system.
Roman law was among the earliest legal systems, and their law code remains an influential foundation of many modern legal systems. Compiled by Emperor Justinian during his rule, but only widely understood after eleventh-century manuscript copies were discovered; its influence can still be felt today as Western legal studies continue to utilize its core elements as reference points.
Ancient Rome was an extraordinary source of wealth and culture. Situated along the Tiber River, Rome became a premier port for trade; further expansion through military conquest increased its size and power; eventually 7 kings ruled until Tarquin the Proud was deposed and the Republic emerged.
After becoming independent from monarchy rule, Romans expanded and eventually developed into an advanced civilization. Their aggressive conquest led them to absorb much Greek culture; borrowing literacy and religion. Within cities, upper classes lived in luxury palaces on Palatine Hill while low plebeian and middle equestrian classes lived crowded into apartments called insulae apartments; both groups received food subsidies from upper class as well as entertainment through gladiatorial games provided by upper classes.
Romans also adopted Greek philosophy and science, creating their own pantheon of gods and goddesses like Venus for love, Janus for change, and Mars for war. Their mythology inspired names of planets, Western months, as well as Latin language itself which later gave rise to French, Italian, Spanish Portuguese Romanian as well as modern English. One popular tradition involves throwing coins into Trevi Fountain; however this practice helps feed Rome’s poor; Caritas collects this money which then buys supermarket vouchers with this donation from Rome residents themselves!
3. It was home to the largest stadium ever built.
Rome has long been revered as an architectural model, from its iconic Colosseum to the Roman Forum. However, Rome wasn’t built overnight. Instead, its 3,000-year history is one of conquest, as Roman forces expanded their empire until they encompassed one quarter of humanity.
Roman politics were far from peaceful: Roman politics were fiercely fought over and many of its emperors could be quite cruel. Their power over citizens of Rome was immense and was only limited by a small group of senators regulating it.
The Circus Maximus in Ancient Rome was the largest chariot stadium, drawing huge crowds to watch events such as gladiator battles, epic animal hunts and mass executions of prisoners of war or criminals.
Built in the 6th Century and continually rebuilt and expanded throughout history, the massive arena stretched for almost one mile long with a central track for racing chariots around it – used also for other entertainment performances such as acrobatics or musical concerts.
Different from the modern stadiums we see on TV, Roman stadiums were designed with large open areas for spectators and tiered seating that could hold up to 150,000 people in an arena setting.
The Colosseum in Rome is one of its most iconic landmarks and a must-see attraction for any visitor to this iconic city. Still used today for concerts and events, its 2,000 year history includes fires and being partially damaged by lightning; each time being rebuilt following each catastrophe. Its architecture stands out with a series of arches supporting its structure as seats.
4. It was full of ancient skyscrapers.
Rome once stood as one of the greatest cities on Earth, ruling over an empire which stretched across much of continental Europe, Western Asia and northern Africa at its height. Rome left behind many impressive legacies for us all to enjoy today – such as developing modern Western alphabet and calendar systems; Christianizing many parts of western Asia; as well as creating some truly remarkable buildings ever seen before in history.
Ancient Romans believed they were descended from Romulus and Remus, twin sons born of Mars to Rhea Silva – daughter of Alba Longa’s King – born at night under an eclipse. Left to die alone on the Tiber riverbanks near Alba Longa, but were saved by a she-wolf, eventually giving rise to Rome itself.
While ancient Rome did not feature skyscrapers, it still featured numerous impressive buildings and temples that made it seem like a large city. One such structure was the Pantheon; dedicated to all of Rome’s gods with its distinctive domed roof designed to allow sunlight into the building for continuous illumination throughout the day. Each shade would cast a different hue over its surfaces.
Roman cities were typically built around an enormous open square known as a forum that served as its religious, political and commercial core. Citizens gathered here for elections, speeches and criminal trials as well as important statues depicting gods and goddesses.
As it was located on a hill, many buildings in this city were constructed on elevated platforms to give its inhabitants an enhanced view of their surrounding environment. Furthermore, several of its emperors also ordered grand palaces be constructed at prominent locations within the city itself.
5. It was the birthplace of the Saturnalia festival.
As is well-known, Rome wasn’t built overnight – or one could argue, in one or two quick cataclysmic events alone! Instead, its transformation from village to Eternal City took many years and saw them rule over half the population at their height.
Ancient Rome started off as a small kingdom that quickly expanded through diplomacy and military might, first conquering Etruria before expanding across Italy, absorbing both Greek culture from Southern Italy (Magna Grecia) and Italic cultures from the North.
Rome was an intricate society governed by an intricate, hierarchical social order: slaves at the bottom of the pyramid were followed by freedmen and finally citizens (cives). Even amongst these latter categories there was significant inequality; those who could trace their ancestry back to its founders were known as patricians while anyone else fell under plebeian status.
Saturnalia was an ancient festival where society temporarily suspended its rules, giving slaves a week-long “time off” from work in which they could enjoy banquets, dress in finery, take the lead at table games and gift one another small figurines made of either clay or wood as gifts–suggesting similarities with modern Christmas traditions.
On the first day of Saturnalia, a pig was ritually sacrificed before an elaborate banquet was held for public consumption. A replica wooden statue of God Saturn reclining comfortably on a couch surrounded by tables full of delicacies was displayed for everyone’s amusement – as was its celebration with drunken revelry and singing!