The Roman Empire was one of the most booming civilizations thanks to its large territory and
skillful mastery in the creation of structures that are still preserved today. They were known
for being a military power that dominated Europe and part of Africa for more than 500 years.
Being the cradle for the development in multiple areas of science,
art and architecture, the Romans contributed deeply to the history of Europe, a culture so rich
that it has been the subject of research today, finding some odd customs among its great virtues.
Today we will learn a little more about what went on behind the walls of one of the most fascinating
and powerful civilizations in human history, Welcome to Copernicus’s Galaxy.
The scandals of the Roman emperors
In a society obsessed with relationships to such a degree that in their political discussions
it was common to use their ability or lack of ability in bed as a valid argument,
it is not surprising that the emperors of that time took the red carpet when it came to scandals.
Among the most popular is the famous Julius Caesar or better known by his people
as the "Bald Adulterer", a name he earned for his tendency to seduce foreign women and political
allies. Among his "conquests", was Cleopatra with whom he had an affair during his stay in Egypt,
giving birth to Caesarion, an unfortunate child who would not live for long.
He was also the object of ridicule due to his tastes for both genders, circulating rumors
where he was positioned as the most passive party in encounters with King Nicomedes IV of
Bithynia during his youth, even being called "The Queen of Bithynia" by different people.
Tiberius, for his part, began ordering groups of young men, whom he called "Tight Wanderers,"
to have uncontrolled parties in his chambers in front of him to stimulate their imaginations.
He was also known to assault aristocratic women causing at least one of them to take her own life.
Such cruelty was replicated by his nephew and successor Caligula,
who for reasons of force majeure was placed under the care of Tiberius at 18 years of
age, having to observe the strange tastes of his uncle, in silence.
Once he ascended to the throne, the monster inside him awoke. He usually had meetings
with his sisters or insisted that the wives of the aristocrats accompany them to the banquets
to analyze them, and at the end, take the one he liked the most to his quarters. It is said
that he had more than one relationship with a man, but above all, he is remembered for his cruelty,
being able to be in the throes of passion one moment,
and then suddenly ordering for their throat to be slit.
Finally, Nero was known for everything that was already common in the life of Roman emperors,
apart from a strange game in which he dressed in animal skins and attacked men and women who
were tied to wooden stakes with whips until he was stopped by his husband.
He publicly married two men and had 3 wives. The first was forced by Nero to take her own
life and the second died at his hands halfway through her pregnancy for reproaching him for
being late one night. With the third, the fateful destiny was for her former husband,
who was also forced to take his own life so that the emperor could marry her.
Lupercales, the uncontrolled Roman fertility festival
Legend has it that during a period of female sterility, the brothers
asked the oracle of the goddess Juno how to restore the ability of Roman women to beget,
to which her reply was "Mothers of Latium, may you be impregnated by a hairy goat".
From that moment a celebration was born on February 15,
where a dog and a goat were sacrificed in the Lupercal grotto, located on Mount Palatine,
all this officiated by the "Lupercos", priests who dedicated body and soul to this celebration.
On that day, two new members were initiated, who covered their foreheads with the blood
of the sacrifices and ran around the Palatine without any clothing,
beating any woman who crossed their path in the belief that this helped them with their fertility.
As the years went by, this festivity degenerated until it became a pagan ritual
where, in addition to the whipping, it was common to have sex freely in the streets of the city.
The Gladiators were hired by the wealthiest women of the time.
Since gladiators were seen as great warriors of the underworld,
they were often admired by the people and especially by the women of high society. A
man with big muscles fighting battles for his life on a big stage like the
coliseum would be enough to appear in the dreams of any female of the time.
Rumors were heard about wealthy women who secretly hired these gladiators to
satisfy their most lustful desires after their passage through the arena.
This was a danger for the men of the Roman aristocracy
due to the weak image that was associated with them. This image became worse when Messalina,
wife of Emperor Claudius, was involved on at least one occasion with one of these warriors,
at times resulting in Roman husbands forbidding their wives to witness this bloody sport.
What was the Roman Vomitorium?
The belief that the Romans of the highest social circle
had the habit of vomiting once they had filled their stomachs in order to continue devouring
every bit of food uncontrollably in those glorious banquets, is a myth.
This was possibly born out of a misinterpretation
of the word "Vomitorium" by some writers and the conformist ear of people today,
who related the sound of this word to the most basic meaning given to it.
However, the word vomitorium has its roots in the Latin "vomitorium"
which in turn comes from "Vomere". In effect, this means to vomit, but not in the crudest aspect of
the word. The Romans used this word meaning "to direct what was inside to the outside".
With this in mind, it is easier to understand that the Roman Vomitoriums
were large corridors strategically located in large theaters such as the coliseum for the
quick evacuation of spectators, either because the show was over or because of an emergency.
It is a splendid example of architecture ahead of its time.
The saturnalia, the wildest festivities of Ancient Rome
A December celebration where candles were lit,
banquets were organized and gifts were given sounds very similar to the Christmas traditions
we have today. This feast was called "Saturnalia" and was held in honor of the Romans’ main god,
Saturn, the ruler of time, agriculture and the supernatural.
It began on December 17 and lasted until the 23rd, six days where everything was
allowed...street betting was not punishable when normally anyone who practiced it was arrested,
slaves became equal to any Roman citizen, it was the most anticipated holiday of the year and
it even sounds better than the ones we have today... of course, if you like anarchy.
As was usual in the Roman festivities, everything revolved around excesses. In these days,
no one could be tried for any crime, it was common that the “relationships” so adored in ancient
Rome were seen at all hours and on every corner, anyone could steal or cheat a poor clueless person
without worrying about being reprimanded by the "law", and all political activity was suspended.
After these days the "Natalis Solis Invicti" was celebrated, more specifically on December 25,
which will surely sound familiar. This day was the birth of the new sun,
marking the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of a new cycle.
The Romans loved wine
Rome and its inhabitants were a key point for the expansion of wine and the art of viticulture. It
was so essential in the life of the Romans that this drink was available to aristocrats and
slaves alike, but that was to be expected from a civilization that had a weakness for wine.
At any party, celebration or banquet it was customary to have wine for your guests and
although it was not the only drink available, it was frowned upon to drink beer or anything else,
as they were considered uneducated. Wine gave status, so if you saw yourself as
someone important or at least wanted to seem important, this would be your drink of choice.
One place where wine was used in immoderation was the Bacchanal,
a festival to venerate Bacchus, the God of wine. It was celebrated at night and as you can guess,
it was about drinking wine until you lost control and surrendered yourself
to an unbridled passion or directly lost consciousness ... whichever came first.
Such excessive customs today would be frowned upon, but it’s impossible to deny that deep down
it is interesting to know about them, at the speed at which ways of thinking change and perceiving
what surrounds us. Perhaps it is possible that in the not too distant future we may see the birth of
new festivities that touch or directly surpass the levels of our imagination. Whether this
happens or not, be assured that we’ll be here to tell you about it, at Copernicus's Galaxy.