Rome
Rome wasn't built in a day, and we certainly haven't shut up about since. It's easy to take for granted how foundational a civilization is until you think about comparing, say, two NFL teams squaring off to a “gladiator match." Speaking of those, turns out gladiator life was different from Russell Crowe's portrayal. Instead of sword and sandals epics, they were more like Jersey Shore drunks—gladiators were the reality TV stars of Ancient Rome. If combat sports aren't your thing, don't worry: you won't believe how ancient Romans used bread.
Bread Stamps Helped Prevent Fraud in Ancient Rome
A simple technology of the time, Roman bakers used special stamps to mark their loaves.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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1 Professional Mourners Were The Life Of Ancient Funerals
Found in Rome, Egypt, and more, professional mourners made any ancient funeral into a spectacle.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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10 Ways Gladiator Life Was Different From The Movies
Sharpen those swords, make peace with Jupiter and get ready for the roar of a bloodthirsty crowd because we are going back in time to ancient Rome.
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- By Ethan Tyrrell
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- 40
6 Reasons Everyday Life In Ancient Rome Was Totally Insane
Rome's relationship with elaborate carnage wasn't a mere fling.
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- By E.M. Caris
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- 79
Gladiators Were The Reality TV Stars Of Ancient Rome
Gladiators were minor celebrities who milked the whole thing for all it was worth.
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- By Cracked Writers
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- 21
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5 Sketchy Facts You Didn't Know About Valentine's Day
The history of Valentine's Day is so screwy, it's amazing people even bother falling in love these days.
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- By Brendan McGinley
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- 0
5 Ridiculous Lies You Believe About Ancient Civilizations
Much of what we know about ancient Greece and Rome tends to come from films and TV. And, well, much of what we know is plain wrong.
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- By J. Wisniewski
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- 2009
8 Filthy Jokes Hidden in Ancient Works of Art
No matter how far back you go, dick jokes have been the driving force behind mankind's sense of humor. Even ancient figures and civilizations we tend to think of as wise and dignified weren't shy about whipping out some solid boner jokes, even when creating works of art for royalty.
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- By Tom Lagana
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- 580
5 Ancient Acts of War That Changed the Face of the Earth
Some of the asskickings unleashed by ancient empires were so mind-boggling, the Earth still hasn't recovered.
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- By Jacopo della Quercia
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- 658
