12 Interesting Facts about Rome

From Landmarks to Legends: 12 Fun Facts of Rome that Will Surprise You

Rome offers more than simply famous sites; it is a city where history is still alive in the form of architecture. This Eternal City is full of intriguing tales, from strange customs, and ancient history, to modern-day activities. Here in this blog, we’ll learn some of the most entertaining and surprising Rome facts, which you might not have heard before.

Rome, with its rich history, holds many secrets from the past that you might not have heard of. From the founding of the city and the rise of the Roman Empire to the Colosseum and Vatican City, you will have the opportunity to learn about it all.

• According to an ancient folk story, Rome was founded by twin brothers Remus and Romulus in 753 BC. They were raised by a she-wolf and later became embroiled in a disagreement over who should rule the city. In a tragic turn of events, Romulus killed Remus and named the city after himself. Today, Rome is considered one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world.
  
  
• The ancient Romans held the title of inventing the world's first functional supermarkets. They used to buy and sell all sorts of goods, and later a more complex building was constructed during the rule of Trajan, which housed residential houses, small shops, and a market. This quickly gained popularity and became home to almost 150 businesses. The best-selling items in this market included oil, fish, spices, vegetables, and fruits.
  
  
• To answer your “What is Rome famous for?” question, let's learn about their Left-handed discrimination! Left-handed people were considered suspicious and thought to be malevolent or unfortunate in ancient Rome. This prejudice resulted from the superstitious notion that those who were left-handed were unreliable; this idea was mirrored in the Latin word "sinister," which originally meant "left" but later evolved to signify "evil."
  
  
• Public urinals were charged in ancient Rome because pee was regarded as a valuable commodity that could be used for a variety of purposes, including tanning and laundering. By collecting urine from cesspools and measuring its ammonia level, Emperor Nero and later Vespasian instituted the "vestigial urinae" or pee tax. The purpose of this unique tax was to make money off of a resource that was useful in day-to-day living. Interesting, right?
  
  
• Rome has seen it all when it comes to absurdity, and the biggest example of this is Caligula. Although his time of rule was limited, stories of his bizarre behavior are still talked about in the Roman town. He once ordered his men to install his horse as a Roman Senate counsel and Priest, then he made public appearances as a king dressed as a woman. Not only that, he even ordered his guards to use female hand signs when talking to each other, In the end, this guy met a tragic end when he was left to rot on the streets after being murdered by a guard.
  
  
• Known for being deeply superstitious, the ancient Romans associated the phallus with luck and good health. In order to ward off evil, phallic amulets were therefore frequently hung as wind chimes in Roman homes. In addition to phallus images, these amulets featured the feet of lions and the wings of birds. Priestesses of the goddess Vesta also maintained a sacred phallus to protect the commonwealth. The deeply rooted superstitions of Roman society, where symbolism was a significant part of everyday life, are reflected in such practices.

Rome, while famous for its ancient ruins, is also a city that thrives in the modern era. From modern metro systems to sustainable urban practices, and eco-friendly initiatives. Let's explore more such modern-day facts.

• Rome is home to over 2000 fountains, one of them being the famous Trevi Fountain. Each day around 3000 Euros worth of coins thrown by thousands of tourists are collected from this fountain and donated to the charity.
  
  
• Located in Rome in its small bubble the Vatican City is the world’s smallest country recognized internationally. It is also home to the current pope, as well it has its own army and a football team.
  
  
• Imagine all of the "cat ladies" in the globe uniting to form a single population; that would essentially be Rome. Joining hands with Istanbul city, cats in Rome are granted the right to live freely and safely under a unique municipal rule given by Roman law. It makes sense that over 300,000 cats are roaming freely on the streets.
  
  
• Among all the Rome attractions and historic museums, there is one odd one out called the Pasta Museum, instead of artifacts, artworks, and sculptures this one showcases PASTAS! Yes, and that to in every different shape and size possible.
  
  
• Thanks to their Roman ancestors, even today locals of Rome are not behind when it comes to making unusual food trends. Stuffed dormice, lamb brain, sea urchins, flamingo tongue, sow's womb, and garum sauce are just a few of these strange treats eaten here.
  
  
• Rome’s popularity is no joke, it is the most popular tourist destination in Italy, the third most visited city in the European Union, and the fourteenth most visited city worldwide.