Uploaded May 2019 | Updated September 2026, 44 minutes ago
From their origins, to their leaders, to things they did in their spare time, join me as we discover 9 crazy facts about Roman History.
9. Their Legendary Origins
Every place has a beginning, and Rome most certainly is no different. But the origins of the legendary city, that would soon become an empire, is one that is very unique compared to many others. Especially when you consider that it involved an animal saving its two original leaders lives.
This all happened a very long time ago, when a mother abandoned her two sons, Remus and Romulus, on the banks of the river Tiber. Back in those days (though still relevant now), abandoning children was a sentence. But the two brothers were spared a harsh and prolonged when a mother wolf came along and saved them. The wolf treated the two like her own cubs, even feeding them the milk from her body. Because of this, the brothers were able to grow up. And once they were fully grown, they went off and eventually founded a city. A city you all know the name of.
But, because the story can't have too happy an ending, the brothers fought over which one of them should rule the city that they made. And because of this, Romulus killed Remus, and took over the city for himself. Due to this ascension, the city was called Rome. And the rest as they say, is history, and what a history it was.
To this day, multiple statues of the wolf mother feeding Remus and Romulus can be found in Rome. Including one made of Bronze in the Capitoline Museum. So if you're in Rome, you should go and visit them, because even if you don't believe in the legend, there is still something to be appreciated about seeing an origin that everyone likes to believe in.
8. Medicine: The Good And The Bad
If you were to look at our world today and try to appreciate something fully, it should very much be the medical practices of our world. We've evolved so much since the ancient times that medicine is not only readily available for all to use, but we have gotten very advanced in our surgeries and diagnostic capabilities. Things that couldn't even have been dreamed up back in the days of the Roman Empire.
Look deep into their history, and you're going to see all sorts of weird medical practices that they came up with in order to try and "heal" people, some of which I don't even feel comfortable mentioning. And some that were just plain gross, like selling the sweat off of gladiators and saying that they had "strengthening powers". Or how about finding out what's "wrong" with someone by tasting their earwax? No, seriously, the Romans and more did that over their time.
But, for all their medical faults, one place they actually excelled in was their battlefield medicine techniques. You'd think that they were primitive given the times, but for whatever reason, the battlefield doctors were very much above board. They even came up with new bandage techniques via cobwebs, vinegar, and honey that was actually extremely effective in healing wounds.
Their practices in battlefield medicine were the blueprint for such things for many millennia to come. And it should be noted that the Romans had one of the best armies around during their entire kingdom, so clearly their practices worked, and that's why they were passed on.
7. The Rulers Of Rome Had A Multi-Talented Elite Guard
Rome has had, among other things, a very turbulent history when it came to their own politics and what type of government they wanted to be. They were once a democracy, then a dictatorship under Caesar, and then a monarchy with an Emperor under Caesar Augustus. But no matter who ruled Rome at the time, one thing was always certain, they would always have a Praetorian Guard.
These were the "elite guard" that the ruler had, Emperor or otherwise. Which is something that many other cultures had similar things of. But for the Praetorian Guard, they were tasked not just with keeping the ruler of Rome alive, but in assisting with other matters should the need arise. For example, they were also police in regards to keeping the peace, they would even be firefighters if the desire was great enough.
But, as this is Rome, they were also key in helping overthrow certain Emperors, even being involved in the assassinations of some and the overthrowing of others. They were rewarded for their services of course. It just goes to show that no matter your role in a kingdom or empire, you have the power to overthrow others and change the course of history. A fact that Rome as an empire and Republic found out many times over its history.
6. Gladiator Fights Weren't As Popular As You Think
If I was to mention "Rome" to you, there are likely several things that would pop into your mind. The city itself, its history, some of its rulers, and of course, the Coliseum. The Coliseum of Vespasian was one of the major wonders of the ancient world, and it was home to many a gladiator fight.
From their origins, to their leaders, to things they did in their spare time, join me as we discover 9 crazy facts about Roman History.
9. Their Legendary Origins
Every place has a beginning, and Rome most certainly is no different. But the origins of the legendary city, that would soon become an empire, is one that is very unique compared to many others. Especially when you consider that it involved an animal saving its two original leaders lives.
This all happened a very long time ago, when a mother abandoned her two sons, Remus and Romulus, on the banks of the river Tiber. Back in those days (though still relevant now), abandoning children was a sentence. But the two brothers were spared a harsh and prolonged when a mother wolf came along and saved them. The wolf treated the two like her own cubs, even feeding them the milk from her body. Because of this, the brothers were able to grow up. And once they were fully grown, they went off and eventually founded a city. A city you all know the name of.
But, because the story can't have too happy an ending, the brothers fought over which one of them should rule the city that they made. And because of this, Romulus killed Remus, and took over the city for himself. Due to this ascension, the city was called Rome. And the rest as they say, is history, and what a history it was.
To this day, multiple statues of the wolf mother feeding Remus and Romulus can be found in Rome. Including one made of Bronze in the Capitoline Museum. So if you're in Rome, you should go and visit them, because even if you don't believe in the legend, there is still something to be appreciated about seeing an origin that everyone likes to believe in.
8. Medicine: The Good And The Bad
If you were to look at our world today and try to appreciate something fully, it should very much be the medical practices of our world. We've evolved so much since the ancient times that medicine is not only readily available for all to use, but we have gotten very advanced in our surgeries and diagnostic capabilities. Things that couldn't even have been dreamed up back in the days of the Roman Empire.
Look deep into their history, and you're going to see all sorts of weird medical practices that they came up with in order to try and "heal" people, some of which I don't even feel comfortable mentioning. And some that were just plain gross, like selling the sweat off of gladiators and saying that they had "strengthening powers". Or how about finding out what's "wrong" with someone by tasting their earwax? No, seriously, the Romans and more did that over their time.
But, for all their medical faults, one place they actually excelled in was their battlefield medicine techniques. You'd think that they were primitive given the times, but for whatever reason, the battlefield doctors were very much above board. They even came up with new bandage techniques via cobwebs, vinegar, and honey that was actually extremely effective in healing wounds.
Their practices in battlefield medicine were the blueprint for such things for many millennia to come. And it should be noted that the Romans had one of the best armies around during their entire kingdom, so clearly their practices worked, and that's why they were passed on.
7. The Rulers Of Rome Had A Multi-Talented Elite Guard
Rome has had, among other things, a very turbulent history when it came to their own politics and what type of government they wanted to be. They were once a democracy, then a dictatorship under Caesar, and then a monarchy with an Emperor under Caesar Augustus. But no matter who ruled Rome at the time, one thing was always certain, they would always have a Praetorian Guard.
These were the "elite guard" that the ruler had, Emperor or otherwise. Which is something that many other cultures had similar things of. But for the Praetorian Guard, they were tasked not just with keeping the ruler of Rome alive, but in assisting with other matters should the need arise. For example, they were also police in regards to keeping the peace, they would even be firefighters if the desire was great enough.
But, as this is Rome, they were also key in helping overthrow certain Emperors, even being involved in the assassinations of some and the overthrowing of others. They were rewarded for their services of course. It just goes to show that no matter your role in a kingdom or empire, you have the power to overthrow others and change the course of history. A fact that Rome as an empire and Republic found out many times over its history.
6. Gladiator Fights Weren't As Popular As You Think
If I was to mention "Rome" to you, there are likely several things that would pop into your mind. The city itself, its history, some of its rulers, and of course, the Coliseum. The Coliseum of Vespasian was one of the major wonders of the ancient world, and it was home to many a gladiator fight.
