---
title: "20 Strange But True Facts About Ancient Rome"
url: https://www.kickassfacts.com/20-strange-but-true-facts-about-ancient-rome/
date: 2020-07-20
modified: 2020-07-23
lang: en
author: "KAF Editor"
description: "Ancient Rome is one of humankind's greatest civilizations, spreading across several continents and existing for more than a millennium. Life in ancient Rome was different -- so different that it..."
categories:
  - "General Knowledge"
  - "History"
  - "Lifestyle"
  - "Listicles"
image: https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/rome-featured-image.jpg
word_count: 811
---

# 20 Strange But True Facts About Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome is one of humankind's greatest civilizations, spreading across several continents and existing for more than a millennium. Life in ancient Rome was different -- so different that it gave us 20 strange, but true, facts about what it was like to be a Roman.

## 1. They did not use soap

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/aromatic-oil.jpg)

The Romans did not use soap to clean themselves. They applied aromatic oils to their skin and used a cleansing device called a strigil to scrape off dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells.

## 2. The Fascinus

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/gallo-roman.jpg)

Phallic amulets and wind chimes were common in Roman households because they were associated with health and prosperity. Ancient Romans also believed it warded off the "evil eye."

## 3. Urine was used for cleaning purposes

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/urine-cleaning-process.jpg)Image credit: Steve Smith

Because of its ammonia content, it was a common practice to use processed urine for bleaching and cleaning clothes. They also used it for teeth whitening.

## 4. Gladiators didn't always fight to the death

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Gladiators.jpg)

The way movies portray gladiators is far from reality. Very rarely did they kill their opponents in fights. Gladiators were ancient athletes who made their living by fighting, not killing.

## 5. Unique punishment for murderers

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Unique-punishment-for-murderers.jpg)

An individual found guilty of murdering their parents, or other close relatives would be sewn into a leather sack along with wild animals and thrown into a river.

## 6. Energy drinks were far from sweet

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/concoction.jpg)

Sports drinks were made by boiling goat dung in vinegar. Charioteers drank these concoctions to regain their strength.

## 7. You would not want to be a criminal

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Museum_of_Sousse.jpg)

Criminals were tied to huge seesaws in stadiums where animals would devour them once released. Meantime, spectators would place bets on the individual who survived the longest.

## 8. Gladiator sweat was used in cosmetics

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/perfume.jpg)

Vendors scraped the sweat from the bodies of prominent gladiators. It was then sold in vials to wealthy women who used it as face cream or perfume.

## 9. Togas were for male citizens only

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Toga.jpg)

Respectable male citizens of Rome wore togas, whereas female citizens wore stolas. These clothes distinguished free-born citizens from slaves, foreigners, and freedmen.

## 10. Navies didn't put slaves at the oars

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/slavery.jpg)

Roman warships were not rowed by slaves, but by free-born Roman citizens. Navies used slaves only during emergencies.

## 11. Roman buildings stand the test of time

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roman-Architcture.jpg)

Roman buildings have been intact for over two millennia because of the durability of ancient Roman concrete. Modern concrete structures would only last century, at most.

## 12. Communal sponges in public toilets

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Tersorium.jpg)

The ancient Romans shared a cleaning tool called tersorium. It was essentially a sponge attached to a stick. It was used sort of like communal "toilet paper" in public restrooms.

## 13. Flamingo tongue was a delicacy

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/flamingo.jpg)

The upper class in ancient Rome consumed flamingo tongues. They were popular because of their flavor and role as a status symbol. Other parts of the bird were also popular to eat.

## 14. They had developed HVAC systems

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/HVAC-systems.jpg)

Ancient Romans developed one of the earliest forms of cooling using aqueducts. Aqueducts circulated cold water to houses. They used hypocausts for heating houses and hot baths.

## 15. Rome had a shopping complex

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Trajansmarket.jpg)

A multi-storeyed shopping complex called Trajan's Market existed in the city of Rome. The complex had many shops, warehouses, and offices. It was the hub for shopping and business.

## 16. Gladiators killed exotic animals for sport

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Venatio.jpg)

Venatio was a popular form of entertainment in ancient Rome. Gladiators hunted and killed wild animals like lions, elephants, crocodiles, tigers, boars, and dogs.

## 17. The left hand was associated with evil

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Roman_marriage.jpg)

The tradition of wearing a wedding ring on the left hand originated in ancient Rome. The practice intended to protect against evil, since evil was linked to the left hand.

## 18. Purple was the color of royalty

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/purple.jpg)

Purple clothing was reserved only for Roman emperors. The Tyrian purple dye was made from a unique species of sea snail.

## 19. Gladiator blood was used in medical treatments

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/gladiator.jpg)

Physicians in Rome encouraged the use of gladiator blood for the treatment of numerous ailments. Physicians used the blood to treat epilepsy and infertility.

## 20. Citizens had to pay urine tax

![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/urine-tax.jpg)

There was a tax for using public urinals in ancient Rome. The collected urine was recycled for different chemical uses.

## Conclusion

These strange, but true, facts about ancient Rome gives us a better understanding of its lifestyle, traditions, and beliefs. Even if some seem a bit bizarre, the ancient civilization has left its unique mark on history, with certain traditions still in existence today.