Facts about Ancient Rome
If you’re reading this, then the particle physics experiment we did this morning was a success. Or, you’re a hologram in an alternate dimension and your Sun did not go supernova. Regardless, good for you. You did great. You’re a contributing member of humanity.
As a reward for not dying in a flash of heat so bright it would be like a nuclear bomb exploding in your face, here are some fun facts about ancient Rome.
1. It took more than 1,000 years for the Roman empire to fully collapse. Most historians agree the collapse began in 476 AD when Emperor Romulus was deposed. But the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) continued to exist until the 1450’s.
2. Most gladiator fights were not to the death. Gladiators were expensive and hard to train. When fighting to the death was finally banned, it wasn’t because of humanitarian reasons, it was because of a shortage of gladiators. Thank you, economics,
3. Over the course of the entire Roman Empire, it is estimated that approximately 500,000 people, and more than 1,000,000 animals died in the Coliseum. While not exactly a “fun fact” it does put into perspective how popular blood sports were.
4. Gladiators had fans that would root for them and wear sports memorabilia. Much like today how people buy hats and jerseys for their favorite hockey team.
5. At least seven Roman emperors fought in the arena.
6. The largest arenas ever built were for chariot racing, which was the most popular sport in the Roman Empire. The Circus Maximus had room for 350,000 spectators. (The Coliseum could only fit 50,000.)
7. Spartacus was a real guy. He led a slave revolt against the Roman Empire. It did not end well for him, or the slaves that followed him.
8. Hannibal was such a great military commander, that for years after Rome had defeated Carthage, Rome kept demanding that he personally surrender to them. Hannibal eventually poisoned himself to save Carthage from any further Roman wrath.
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9. In 238 AD Rome had six emperors. Two of them were a father and son pair. Their reign lasted only 20 days.
10. Being a Roman emperor was a dangerous job. 82 emperors (about 20% of all emperors) were assassinated.
11. Hadrian’s Wall was built to separate Rome from “the barbarians.” Clearly, he didn’t think much of British cooking.
12. The most popular colors for women to dye their hair were red and blond. Dye was made with the ash from beech wood trees, and goat fat.
13. Only free-born Roman men were allowed to wear togas. Women wore stolas. Stolas probably didn’t have pockets.
