An interesting historical story.
One of the worst jobs for Roman slaves was working in a laundromat (fullonica). Human urine was used in the cleaning process. The shops had big pots outside for people to contribute their urine. In other words, men (and women?) would pee in them. Urine has ammonia in it. Clothes Read more…
Cato the Elder was a famous Senator in Rome. His famous demand that “Carthage must be destroyed” led to the Third Punic War and the fulfillment of his dream. One day a friend remarked to him: “It’s a scandal that no statue has been erected to you in Rome! I Read more…
Let’s start our drinking now – no timed To wait while they light the lamps. There’s a finger of daylight left, So lift down the goblets, slave! Lord Dionysus gave us wine To ease our cares away Read more…
The Spartans were not exactly romantic. When a Spartan male decided it was time to get married and start a family, he would abduct his intended bride from her home. The girl would be turned over to an older woman called a nymphentria who would prepare her for the wedding Read more…
During the Middle Ages, in some areas of Europe, it was considered bad luck to meet a priest first thing in the morning. A popular joke had a woman making the sign of the cross when she encountered a priest on a country lane early one morning. The priest asked Read more…
Marcus Crassus became the richest man in Rome partly through real estate. He created the first fire department in Rome. Sometimes he paid arsonists to set fire to a house and then he would wait around the corner with his fire fighters. When the fire was underway, Crassus and his Read more…
On their wedding night, Napoleon and Josephine retired to her bedroom only to find Josephine’s dog in his usual place in the middle of the bed. When Napoleon approached the bed, the dog growled and Josephine explained that the dog was very possessive. They should try not to disturb the Read more…
King George II of England liked to go out at night in disguise to sample the ladies of the realm. One night, in disguise, he visited a house of prostitution. During his visit his pocket was picked and when it came time to pay his bill he was in a Read more…
Agrippina was the wife of Emperor Claudius. She had a son named Nero from her first marriage. She was determined that her son would be the next emperor. When Claudius began to have second thoughts of his step-son succeeding him, she poisoned her husband. Before she put her plan into Read more…
On his return from India, Alexander and his army had to traverse the very dry Gedrosian Desert. At one point, the army was down to its last canteen of water. It was brought to Alexander. He asked if there was enough for everyone and when he was told no, he Read more…