Think You Know Rome?

Ancient Rome is one of the greatest and most legendary empires ever to exist, but like anything buried so far back in history, not everything we think we know about it is correct. From myths about gladiators perpetuated by Hollywood to over-the-top tales of decadence and gluttony, the real truth about Rome is often even more fascinating than fiction. Here are 10 misconceptions and 10 incredible truths about the Roman Empire.

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1. The Emperor's Thumbs Up

If you've ever watched The Gladiator movies, you might think a gladiator's opponent's fate is decided by whether an emperor gives a thumbs-up or down. However, the emperor would actually signal with the palm of his hand, meaning no kill, or a closed fist, meaning finish him off. 

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2. The Vomitorium Was For Vomiting

There's a common misconception that the Romans would gorge themselves until they needed to vomit, at which point they'd go to a special room called the vomitorium. Despite its name, that's not actually what the room was for. Vomitoria were passages that led people to their seats in an amphitheater.

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3. Romans Invented The Aqueduct

Romans are famous for their impressive aqueducts, which enabled water to be transported into cities. While the Romans did build some of the most advanced, they didn't invent aqueducts. Earlier civilizations like the Egyptians and Assyrians already had them.

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4. Plebeians Were Poor

The term plebeian is used in English as a synonym for a poor person. However, plebeians in ancient Rome were just members of the general population. Many of them became wealthy, but they were still referred to as plebeians.

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5. All Romans Wore Togas

Your mental image of Romans might feature togas like you see in paintings; however, togas were really only worn for formal occasions or by the wealthy. Tunics, two simple pieces of fabric that were sewn together at the sides and shoulders, were much more commonly worn.

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6. Only Men Were Gladiators

There is archaeological evidence confirming the existence of female gladiators called gladiatrices. Some of them may have been slaves, but others chose the path for independence, glory, and wealth. Women gladiators were rare and, in later periods, their participation was banned. 

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7. Romans Were Decadent & Immoral

While there were some scandals, Romans tended to have strong values based on loyalty, discipline, honor, and obligation to family. Their moral code just would've looked different from our modern standards. 

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8. The Colosseum Was Rome's Largest Arena

While the Colosseum was an impressive structure that could hold up to 80,000 spectators, it was far from the largest Roman arena. The Circus Maximus, which was used for chariot races, was much larger, with the capacity to hold over 150,000 spectators. 

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9. Gladiators Always Fought To The Death

Despite how Hollywood tends to depict gladiator fights, most of them did not actually end in death. Referees would usually stop fights before a fatality would occur, and the defeated gladiator was spared more often than not, as gladiators were valuable investments. 

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10. Nero Played The Fiddle While Rome Burned

The myth that Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned originated from an account written by Tacitus, but that was likely anti-Nero propaganda. Most modern historians agree that Nery probably wasn't even in Rome during the fire.

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Now that we've covered some of the common misconceptions about the Roman Empire, let's discuss some of the most fascinating facts. 

1. Augustus Was The First Emperor

The Roman Empire was founded when Augustus Caesar, the adopted son of Julius Caesar, defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra of Egypt. Under his rule, he ushered in 200 years of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana.

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2. They Built The World's First Shopping Mall

The Romans are credited with building the world's first shopping mall. It was a huge complex in Rome called Trajan’s Market, built into the side of Quirinal Hill and consisting of over 150 merchant stalls. 

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3. Roman Law Shaped The Modern World

Romans had a sophisticated legal system that profoundly shaped modern civil law. They created the concepts of contracts, wills, property rights, legal representation, and the idea of "innocence until proven guilty." 

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4. They Built An Extensive Network Of Roads

"All roads lead to Rome" is more than just an expression. Romans were impressive engineers who built over 250,000 miles of roads over their vast empire, connecting cities, trade routes, and military outposts. Some of these roads are still used today. 

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5. The Colosseum Had A Retractable Roof

While not exactly like the retractable roofs of modern arenas, the Colosseum had an advanced awning system made of huge canvas sheets controlled by pulleys. It was an impressive feat of engineering for its time.

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6. They Had Fast Food

Romans invented the concept of fast food, similar to what we think of today. Residents of Rome commonly lived in cramped apartments without kitchens, so they would rely on cheap, ready-made meals sold by street vendors. These would often consist of foods like lentils, stews, and sausages.

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7. Gladiators Were Celebrities

Gladiator matches were one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Ancient Rome, with spectators cheering for their favorites much like sports fans today. The most skilled gladiators were treated like celebrities, their faces appearing on pottery and souvenirs, and many had their own sponsors. 

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8. Chariot Racing Was The Most Popular Sport

While gladiator combat was a huge spectacle in Ancient Rome, it wasn't as popular as chariot racing. These races were held in massive arenas where sports fans would cheer on their favorite teams. Chariot racing was a high-risk sport, but successful ones could earn great wealth and fame.

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9. The Colosseum Could Be Filled With Water

The Colosseum was designed with a complex system of drains that allowed it to be flooded for special events such as naval battle reenactments. However, filling it with water was a logistical headache, so it was rarely done.

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10. Conquered People Were Granted Citizenship

As the Roman Empire grew, Rome started offering citizenship to conquered people as a way to integrate them. This allowed them to maintain control over vast lands filled with diverse people, spreading the Roman language and culture.

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