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| Ancient Roman culture comes to modern Italy. Photo courtesy of Shelley's 'At home in Rome' blog. |
If an ancient Roman found himself transported into our modern world he would probably feel a bit out of his depth. Vast technological differences, for example, might prove a bit overwhelming for someone who had spent his previous life counting with pebbles. But he would also find that much of the Italian culture, traditions and customs he comes across are very familiar to him.
Italian culture starts with the history of ancient Roman culture and much of what we think of as modern invention and etiquette actually comes from the Italy of two thousand years ago.
Are you planning a trip to Italy? Thinking of getting married there? Wanting to buy some Italian jewelry? Before you do, use these pages to understand how the achievements and eccentricities of ancient Roman culture affect the Italy of today.
Ancient Roman culture - where was the Empire?
Map of ancient Rome.
If you're not sure where the Roman Empire was, start here.
At its peak in 116 A.D. the Empire spanned two and a half million square miles and was one of the largest empires in history. It managed to combine elements of tradition and culture from all its different territories.
In adopting the traditions of those separate peoples ancient Roman culture created a civilization which was a diverse and sometimes curious mixture.
This page gives a detailed map of the ancient Roman Empire with a key to the different areas.
Ancient Roman culture and modern traditions :
Ancient Roman weddings.
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| Ancient meets modern : guests at an ancient Roman themed wedding. By kind permission of Monica at FLickr. |
We wanted to incorporate into our Rome wedding as many Italian wedding traditions as we could. To our surprise we discovered that many modern customs stem directly from the traditions of ancient Rome.
This page tells you all about the way ancient Roman weddings can be used to help create your own wedding, from engagement ring tradition and the origins of bachelor parties to Roman bridal fashion, the ceremony and the wedding feast.
Ancient Roman culture and 'la bella figura' :
Ancient Roman jewelry.
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| Gold snake cuff, 1st Century A.D. Picture courtesy of V-Roma. |
You'll be in good company. In December 2008, when the then American President-Elect Barack Obama was looking for an unique gift to give to his wife for her support in his journey to the White House, it was to Italian jewelry designer Giovanni Bosco he turned.
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| A modern designer interprets the snake cuff : Roberto Cavalli's contemporay design. |
Contemporary Italian jewelry is a classic example of the new learning from the old and combining to make something exquisite.
Ancient Roman culture - the daily grind :
Ancient Roman daily life.
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| Yumus yumus ... even Emperors had to eat. |
Dragging children round ruins can be tedious for them and for you - especially in the heat - but being able to tell them about Romans inventing the first doggy bags or to bring the Circus Maximus alive for them is to encourage their knowledge of ancient cultures without their realising that they are learning.
This page gives the first five of our strange facts about ancient Roman culture : why graffiti was as much a problem in ancient Rome as it is in Rome today; why the Circus Maximus still beats Rome's 'Stadio Olimpico' and why being an Emperor in ancient Rome was a very unhealthy occupation.
Ancient Roman culture - the daily grind (part 2) :
More facts about ancient Roman daily life.
Our final five strange facts about ancient Roman culture, including : Who wore what clothes? Is it true that Roman children used potties? And did postal codes really start in ancient Rome?
Have a look and be amazed!
Ancient Roman domestic culture :
Ancient Roman animals.
Like to know more strange facts about the history of ancient Roman animals and what they tell us about the Italy we visit and live in?
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Ancient Roman culture saw geese as guarding animals, elephants as transport to dinner parties, animal entrails used to foretell the future, even giraffes roaming the streets "raising its head to those onlookers at their windows ... the people think that they are looking at a tower rather than an animal. It even seems to watch with pleasure the people who come to look at it".
This page will give you information about animals in Italian culture - ancient and modern.
Ancient Roman culture and architecture :
Five strange facts about the Roman Colosseum.
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| An instantly recognisable image. |
So we've put together ten strange facts which will bring the Colosseum to life for kids and make them want to see it. Even a little knowledge makes a visit there so much more interesting and enjoyable.
These are the first five of those strange facts : they include why the former arena of death is now a symbol of life; why ostriches were as important as lions; and what Sir Paul McCartney was doing there with a bike.
Ancient Roman culture and traditions :
Five more facts about the ancient Roman Colosseum.
And if you've enjoyed the first of our strange facts, here's some more information about the ancient Roman Colosseum which you may not have known before. They include why the film 'Gladiator' was made in Malta; why Beyoncé drank Pepsi there; and whether ancient Roman gladiators ate too much.
Ancient Roman culture and modern Italy :
Top Tips for visiting the Colosseum in Rome.
If you're planning to visit the Colosseum and want to know more before you go, this is the place for you. It's full of information and tips about where it is, how to get there, and how to avoid the queues when you do.
Ancient Roman culture and history :
Gladiator School.
If you're planning to visit the Roman Colosseum and taking kids with you, think about visiting Rome's 'Gladiator School' which caters for adults and children over the age of six. It starts with a lesson about the history of gladiators in the Roman Empire and their role in the Colosseum, and goes on to teach fighting techniques. Everyone who goes calls it the highlight of their trip to Rome.
This page will give you information about what it's all about, who it's suitable for, how much it costs and how to book.
Ancient Roman culture and traditions :
Ancient Roman baths.
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| The ancient baths at Bath, U.K. - the best preserved Roman spa of them all. |
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| Mosaic at modern spa. By Rachel Sager mosaics. |
This page looks at the similarities between ancient and modern spas : the buildings, their decoration and their purpose, and answers the question : "Have spas helped Italians through the ages to remain one of the healthiest nations?".
And, when you've finished reading about ancient Italy, why not try visiting?
Ancient Roman culture has left an indelible mark on the world since the Empire collapsed: ancient Roman buildings provide styles and techniques for buildings all over the world; many political and legal systems follow the ancient Roman model; the Latin language provides the basis for the Italian language amongst many others; many ancient Roman culture traditions have been adopted into our twenty-first century life.
The city of Rome's first inhabitants lived on the Palatine Hill just before the year 1000 B.C. and were farmers. Today's Rome has become the world's most famous open-air museum. It's a stunning place to be. There's never any need to ask what to do in Rome - ancient Roman culture combines with the modern to make it one of the most fascinating cities in the world.
Visit Rome if you can.
It will take your breath away -
and for that, we have ancient Roman culture to thank.
It will take your breath away -
and for that, we have ancient Roman culture to thank.
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| Rome's immediately recognisable city skyline. |
Interested to know more?
Here are some resources which are informative, accurate and accessible places to find more information about ancient Roman culture.
Books :
This one is our favourite :
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Published Thames and Hudson, May 2007.
A light-hearted but factually accurate book written from the perspective of a travel guide to ancient Italy. Sections you would expect of any guide book to Rome : how to get there, what to see, places to avoid, communicating with the natives - but all written in the year (approximately) 200 A.D.
Easy to read, quirky and full of information about ancient Roman culture. I particularly loved the 'useful phrases' section - from "conclave meum flagrans est" ("my room is on fire") to "utinam tuus currus deleatur" (may your chariot be wrecked") - everything you could possibly need to know!
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Jo-Ann Shelton.
Published Oxford University Press, 1998 (2nd Edition).
There is a huge amount of mis-information on the internet about ancient Roman civilization. This book uses written Roman sources as a basis for all the facts it presents.
As you might expect from Oxford University Press, this is a more academic book than the others. It contains a large number of English translations of a wide range of documents - letters, manuals, recipes, graffiti, and inscriptions as well as literary sources.
Together they offer a fascinating glimpse into a wide range of facts about ancient Roman daily life : family, housing,entertainment, health, education, religion, crime and other important topics. This is an unique introduction to ancient Roman culture, but don't expect to pick it up and read it from cover to cover in one go. It takes concentration but is worth the effort.
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Published Profile Books Ltd., February 1995.
A wonderful book by two leading historians which tells the story of the Colosseum through the ages : how it was built, how much it cost, the games held there, its after-life as a glue factory, how the Victorians dealt with it - the facts are endless.
Good for dipping into, it's engaging and witty whilst at the same time covering all the facts. It also dispels some widely-held beliefs about the Colosseum.
If you're visiting the Colosseum this book will help you get your bearings; if you just want to know more about this era in ancient Roman culture, 'The Colosseum' is the book for you.
Websites :
This one is our favourite :
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A group of teachers and students who create online resources about ancient Roman culture. The project was initially started in 1997 and has a wealth of good, accurate information on ancient Rome - many of the graphics on our site are from there.
The two major components of the project are its online learning environment which has received several very positive external reviews, and its collection of internet resources. All the resources on the site, including thousands of images, are freely accessible as long as the organisation is given due credit.
And finally, visit :
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The World Heritage Site of Pompeii.
The Roman Baths at Bath, U.K.
Museums :
The Roman Baths at Bath, U.K.
Museums :
- The British Museum, London.
- The Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
- Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, Naples, Italy.
- Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome.
- Museo della Civiltŕ Romana, Rome.
- San Antonio Museum of Art, Texas, U.S.
and of course, not forgetting :
ROME!
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about modern Italian culture.
