Ancient Rome is a familiar period in time for many. Not only is it considered one of the most successful imperial powers in history, but it’s often referenced throughout media thanks to interests in gladiators, chariot races, and more. But do you know about these unbelievable Ancient Rome facts? From the choice of living spaces to what they used to eat and drink, these are the most interesting facts about Ancient Rome’s life.
6. Graffiti Was Everywhere
Did you know that graffiti was popular back then too? One of the most interesting Ancient Rome facts are the markings, images, and writings that have been found in cities, such as Pompeii and Herculaneum. These are often scratches or engravements on the surfaces and stones. These range from simple stick figure drawings and animals to pretty nasty jokes and insults.
5. Children Went to School Everyday
While most of us complained about going to school as much as we did when we were little, it doesn’t compare to children in Ancient Rome who went to school every day. Education was important, and most had basic access to school, while the wealthier children had private tutors. Even those who were poor learned to read and write even if they didn’t attend school.
4. Public Baths Were Popular
Public baths are still around today, especially in Hungary with its thermal baths, Germany with its traditional bathhouse culture, and more. But one of the best Ancient Rome facts is that public baths were one of the best leisure activities for many. Also known as thermae, this is where people came to be social and clean.
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3. Many Lived in Apartment Blocks
Known as the Insulae, one of the best Ancient Rome facts is that many lived in multi-story apartment buildings in the city. They housed the majority of the urban population, including middle and lower-class citizens, artisans, and even some of the wealthier individuals. Those of higher status lived on the lower floors.
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2. Roman Timekeeping
It’s easy to track an hour. But unfortunately, that wasn’t always the case. In fact, Roman timekeeping was variable when they used sundials. Basically, the length of an hour depended on the season and the attitude. The time between sunrise and sunset was split into twelve hours. And they knew winter days were shorter while summer was longer, so they often adjusted accordingly.
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1. The Circus Maximus
One of the weirdest Ancient Rome facts that you might not know about is the Circus Maximus, which is a chariot racetrack that also held other events like the Roman Games and gladiator fights. As the largest chariot race in Rome, the Circus Maximus held at least 150,000 seats, with an estimated audience of 250,000 — double the largest attended Super Bowl.
