There is a lot about history that we don’t know. While historians have tried their best to decipher and solve the mysteries throughout history, there is still so much left uncovered. Looking back, there are several interesting facts about Ancient Rome that you might not be aware of. Let’s dive into history and see what those facts are.
6. The Myth of Togas
Togas are commonly associated with Ancient Rome; however, they weren’t worn as often as you might believe. In fact, wearing a toga was a sign of wealth and luxury, not something worn every day. Despite what the media has shown, togas were only worn by wealthy male Roman citizens. Some weren’t even all white, as color would be added to denote the person’s place in society. For instance, a colored stripe was worn to indicate roles in society.
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5. Societal Divide
One of the most interesting facts about ancient Rome is that its society was divided into three classes: Patricians, plebeians, and slaves. Patricians were the wealthy, elite classes consisting of families who held political power and controlled most of the land. Plebeians were the commoners, including farmers, artisans, and merchants. Slaves made up a significant portion of their population and were considered property rather than citizens.
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4. Eating Traditions
While we sit for our meals, Romans adopted the method of lying down to eat their food, which was originally an Ancient Greek custom. Lying down was only allowed for upper-class men and women, although some lower classes lay down as well. But most of the lower classes sat and ate, while slaves often served food.
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3. Aqueducts
Another one of the best facts about Ancient Rome is that they constructed aqueducts throughout their Republic and later Empire, which helped bring water from outside sources into cities and towns. The extensive system was crucial for public baths, which were the place to be for all social interaction and sanitation.
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2. Punishments
Throughout history, there have been several ways that citizens were punished for crimes. Unfortunately, Romans had inventive ways to punish individuals. The worst form was for those who were found guilty of the ultimate crime: patricide, killing one’s father. For those individuals, they were blindfolded, then marched out of town and directly to the nearest body of water, where they were beaten with rods, bound, and thrown into a bag with various animals, then tossed in the water.
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1. Historical Advancements
Of course, when we read this on our phone or computer, it’s hard to believe that Romans were known for advancements. But one of the most interesting facts about Ancient Rome is that they were skilled engineers and constructed an impressive infrastructure throughout their empire. They built an extensive network on well-paved roads, including the famous Appian Way, which helped with trade, communication, and the movement of troops.
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