Ancient Rome Expert Answers Roman Empire Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED
TLDRIn this informative session, Professor Lauren Ginsberg delves into various aspects of Ancient Rome, debunking myths and sharing insights. Topics range from the ceremonial use of togas, the innovative Roman methods of laundry and concrete production, to the social and leisure activities of Romans. The discussion also touches on the rights of Roman women, the mystery of Roman emperors' numbers, and the practicalities of daily life in Ancient Rome, offering a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of this historical civilization.
Takeaways
- 🎓 The average Roman did not commonly wear a toga, as they were intricate and reserved for ceremonial purposes; the basic Roman attire was the tunic (tunica), akin to a long T-shirt.
- 🧼 Romans used urine for laundering clothes, as it breaks down into ammonia, a caustic substance that cleans effectively. This was done in fullonica, ancient Roman laundromats.
- 🏟 The term 'vomitorium' refers to large stairways in stadiums and theaters, not to places where Romans purged after overeating, as commonly misunderstood.
- 🍿 Ancient Romans snacked on nuts, fruits, and grilled meats during events at the Colosseum, as evidenced by residues found in the sewers.
- 🏗 Roman concrete has superior qualities compared to modern concrete, including rapid hardening (even underwater) and self-healing properties, due to the use of quicklime and lime clasts.
- 🥊 Gladiators did fight lions, but many survived their battles, suggesting that combat was often choreographed for entertainment rather than to the death.
- 🍷 Romans had bars, known as taverna, which were social hubs where people could eat, drink, and gather, much like modern pubs.
- 🎨 Greek and Roman statues were originally painted with vibrant colors, contrary to the common perception of them as plain white marble.
- 💑 Sexuality in Ancient Rome was diverse and open, with Romans engaging in various sexual behaviors and having access to contraception.
- 👑 The concept of the 'best' Roman emperor is subjective and depends on the perspective of those affected by their rule, including the enslaved population.
- 🧵 Roman children played with dolls, dice, walking toys, and building blocks, which were considered important for their development.
Q & A
Why did Romans wear togas?
-Romans wore togas as a ceremonial gown, which were extremely long and complicated to put together. The average Roman did not wear a toga for everyday activities, instead, they wore the basic Roman garment called the tunic or tunica, essentially a long T-shirt.
Did Romans really wash their clothes in urine?
-Yes, Romans used urine as a cleaning agent because it breaks down into ammonia, a caustic substance that cleans effectively. Clothes were soaked in concentrated urine and then washed with clean water in multiple vats until clean.
What is the true meaning of 'vomitorium' in Ancient Rome?
-The term 'vomitorium' refers to large stairways designed to quickly disperse crowds from stadiums and theaters. The word comes from the Latin 'vomo,' meaning 'to send forth,' and is not related to vomiting or purging after overeating.
What snacks did people eat in the Colosseum?
-Excavations in the Colosseum's drainage system have revealed that people snacked on nuts, fruits like figs and peaches, grapes, and possibly grilled meats using portable grills or braziers.
Why does ancient Roman concrete stand up better than modern concrete?
-Roman concrete contains lime clasts or white chunks of material that are deliberate and proof that Romans used quicklime, which superheats the concrete-making process. This allows Roman concrete to harden quickly, even underwater, and have self-healing properties.
How often did gladiators fight lions and die in the arena?
-Gladiators did fight lions, but tombstones show that many gladiators survived multiple fights. Gladiator-versus-gladiator fights were choreographed and exciting for the audience without a high death rate, although sometimes gladiators were killed in agreed-upon circumstances.
What did the Romans invent that we still use today?
-The Romans perfected the use of concrete and surgical tools similar to those used today, such as scalpels, tweezers, and forceps. These tools would be made from similar types of metal and would look quite familiar in a modern medical setting.
Did Ancient Rome have bars or taverns?
-Yes, Ancient Rome had bars called taverna where people could get drinks and food. These establishments were widespread and served as social hubs in working-class neighborhoods.
Were Greek and Roman statues actually painted?
-Yes, Greek and Roman statues were painted, with each layer of clothing depicted with different shades, textures, and patterns. The Romans valued vibrancy and were skilled painters, contrary to the common perception of white marble statues.
Was Ancient Rome a sexual free-for-all?
-Ancient Rome had a healthy sex life with sex occurring inside and outside marriage for both procreation and pleasure. Romans had access to contraception and openly discussed sexual desire and acts in art and literature, indicating a spectrum of sexual behavior.
Who was considered the best Roman emperor?
-The concept of the 'best' Roman emperor is subjective and depends on one's perspective. While some may point to Marcus Aurelius for his stoic philosophy, others may argue that the empire's autocratic nature means none of its rulers could be considered fair or good by modern standards.
Outlines
🏛️ Daily Life and Fashion in Ancient Rome
This paragraph discusses various aspects of daily life in Ancient Rome, including the common misconceptions about Romans wearing togas regularly, the average Roman's attire consisting of a tunic, and the use of urine for cleaning clothes. It also addresses the myth about vomitorium being used for purging after overeating, explaining its actual purpose as a means for crowd dispersal in stadiums and theaters. Additionally, it touches upon the lack of popcorn and the types of snacks Romans consumed at the Colosseum, such as nuts, fruits, and grilled meat.
🏰 Architectural Marvels and Gladiators of Rome
This section delves into the durability and advanced properties of Roman concrete, highlighting the recent discoveries by MIT scientists about the use of quicklime and the self-healing nature of Roman concrete. It contrasts this with modern concrete structures and ponders the potential for a 'Roman concrete revolution.' The paragraph also explores the reality of gladiatorial fights against lions, emphasizing the staged nature of these events and the survival rates of gladiators, who often retired after successful careers.
🍽️ Social Habits and Innovations in Ancient Rome
This segment covers the social and cultural aspects of Ancient Rome, including the existence of bars called taverna, where Romans could enjoy food and drink. It also discusses the vibrant colors of Roman statues and buildings, contrary to the common perception of white marble, and the sexual attitudes and practices in Roman society. The paragraph concludes with a reflection on the best Roman emperor, considering both the autocratic nature of the empire and the perspectives of enslaved populations.
🧼 Hygiene, Child's Play, and the Lifespan in Ancient Rome
This paragraph examines the hygiene practices in Ancient Rome, such as the use of public baths and toilets, and the Romans' advanced water technologies like aqueducts and sewer systems. It also explores the types of toys Roman children played with, including articulated dolls and dice games, and the average lifespan of a Roman peasant, addressing the misconceptions about the average age of Romans. The paragraph concludes with a discussion on the rights Roman women had during Imperial Rome, including property ownership and business management.
🏦 Roman Economy, Civil Wars, and Winter Wear
This section discusses the economic activities of Romans, including various professions and the concept of rent, as well as the leisure activities available to them, such as holidays and festivals. It also covers the methods of Roman coin production and the challenges historians face in determining the number of Roman emperors due to the empire's complexity and the presence of multiple claimants. Additionally, it addresses the Romans' winter attire, including socks, sandals, and woolen cloaks, and the use of hemp in Ancient Rome.
🌳 Myths, Gods, and the Founding of Rome
The final paragraph addresses the legendary story of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, and the skepticism surrounding this myth. It also explores the vast pantheon of Roman gods, emphasizing the divine presence in various aspects of nature and daily life. The segment concludes with a reflection on the difficulty of pinpointing the exact number of gods worshipped by the Romans due to their inclusive religious practices.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Toga
💡Tunic
💡Fullonica
💡Vomitorium
💡Roman Concrete
💡Gladiators
💡Ancient Roman Medical Tools
💡Taverna
💡Roman Statues
💡Sexual Mores in Ancient Rome
💡Roman Emperors
Highlights
Romans wore togas as ceremonial gowns, not for everyday wear due to their complexity and length.
The basic Roman garment was the tunic or tunica, similar to a long T-shirt, worn by all statuses and genders.
Romans used urine for washing clothes, as it breaks down into ammonia, an effective cleaning agent.
The term 'vomitorium' refers to large stairways for quick crowd dispersal, not places for vomiting after overeating.
Ancient Romans snacked on nuts, fruits, and grilled meat during events at the Colosseum.
Roman concrete has self-healing properties and can harden quickly, even underwater, due to the use of quicklime.
Gladiators did fight lions, but the frequency of their deaths was managed and not as high as often portrayed.
Roman surgical tools have remained largely unchanged, showing the advancement of their medical technology.
Ancient Rome had bars, called taverna, which were social hubs and served food and drink.
Greek and Roman statues were originally painted with vibrant colors, contrary to the common perception of plain white marble.
Romans had a healthy and varied sex life, with access to contraception and a spectrum of sexual behaviors.
The term 'civil war' was coined by Romans, but the distinction between civil war and other internal conflicts is complex.
Roman women had significant rights, including property ownership and the ability to run businesses.
The average Roman lifespan was affected by high infant and child mortality rates, but many lived into their 50s and beyond.
Roman children played with dolls, dice games, and building blocks, similar to modern toys.
Roman peasants had access to layered clothing and wool for warmth during winter.
Roman coins were produced through a manual stamping process, with molds and metal discs.
Roman leisure activities included seaside vacations and festivals with gladiatorial matches and theatrical spectacles.
Ancient Romans used hemp for practical purposes like rope-making, not for its psychoactive properties.
The number of Roman emperors is difficult to determine due to the empire's complex history and multiple claimants.
Ancient Romans worshipped a vast pantheon of gods, seeing divinity in many aspects of life.
The story of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome, is considered more legendary than factual.
Transcripts
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