I just got back from a vacation to Rome! I don’t have any pictures or souvenirs because this vacation was more imaginary than real. Thanks to my student loans, I was only able to explore the great city and the history of the Roman Empire through my most recent book SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard. I won’t bore you with the details of the Roman Empire because I think my last few posts have been a little dry. I do have a funny anecdote and a short list that may pique your interest in Roman history. First the anecdote. I was reading this book at 8:30 in the morning outside the Secretary of State. The doors were locked until 9:00 am but the gracious staff members had allowed people to queue just outside the main seating area. This small vestibule was packed full of people and the well-structured line that had originally formed soon morphed into a large blob. This DMV-amoeba was made up of young and old who were anxious for the doors to open – so they could get on with their day. I had my book and was trying to read when a large woman answered her phone. This phone conversation was not meant for the waiting vestibule of the Secretary of State – most people began to shuffle their feet when her voice began to rise.
I tried to focus on my book but I thought of something right at that moment that really brought ancient Rome to life. I was reading a book about a city in which there was probably a similar scenario over 2000 years ago. It made me think about Romans and their own frustrating moments – allowing me to see the humanity of a long lost society. Eventually, the doors opened and we shuffled in as if entering the Colosseum itself. This is a simple antidote but it is important to remember that when we read about the past we forget that people lived fairly routine lives that are often times looked over. I guess my point is that we can’t look over the details of the Secretary of State waiting room – those details sometimes teach us more than a book. Below find nine interesting thoughts about Ancient Rome.
- The letters SPQR stand for “The Senate and the Roman people” – the war cry of the expanding empire.
- The founders of Rome were Romulus and Remus who were abandoned as infants and survived by sucking on the milk of a wolf – another name for a wolf in early Latin was a prostitute.
- Roman public baths were a regular source of infectious diseases and many Roman dignitaries died from infection after visiting them.
- Rome itself was ridden with malaria because of its location next to the water and the humid climate – disease killed more Romans than any invading barbarian horde.
- The Roman law laid out best practices for killing infants who were not desired.
- Rome was the first city in the world to reach a population of 1,000,000 people.
- Rome was founded in the 8th century BC – a simple town for many years before it began to control rival towns on the Italian Penisula.
- The city of Rome’s population in the first century BC was estimated to be 40% slaves – all different races and ethnicities.
- Emperor Caligula was supposed to have made his horse a consul and priest.
- Emperor Tiberius was supposed to have trained small boys to swim underneath him while in a pool and nibble on his genitals.
I hope these facts piqued your interest and help you appreciate a future vacation to the city of Rome or maybe just give you something to think about while waiting at the Secretary of State.
Very cool read. I dread the SOS day, however I always try to make a game and figure out a back story in the person. Especially the very loud one.
I’ve read a few of those facts before, Ancient Rome is a far throw for me but would live to travel one day while I’m still full of pep. Thanks for sharing!!
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Thanks for reading. I hope we both get to visit that city one day. If you like Roman history I would recommend The 12 Ceasars by Seutonius. Caigula was plain evil.
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I thought your blog was very interesting, and a quick read – giving us a lot to think about on a grey rainy morning. It is amazing how long Rome has existed and the history. I enjoyed the highlights and would like to read more.
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This is hilarious and number 10…….say what?!
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Yeah, Tiberius and Caligula were terrible Emperors.
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