The inhabitants of Pompeii and its surroundings, as all the inhabitants of the Roman Empire in general, were fond of gladiatorial shows in the amphitheater and of racing horses and chariots in the circus or hippodrome.
The roaring noise which the high waterfall roars with
The Spanish word “ruido” (noise) comes from the Latin word “rugidus”, from where also comes the cultism “rugido” (roar/ roaring noise). The noise is an unpleasant sound to the ear and an annoying sound for the spirit. There are therefore numerous associations and movements that fight against what is also called “acoustic pollution”.
Hadrian, a popular Emperor
The public baths or spas (thermae) are an essential element in the concept of the city, of the Latin “urbs”, the city of the Romans. They built many cities in the territory of the Empire and not all missing or forum or square, or a temple, or basilica (multipurpose palace) or theater or amphitheater or baths.
Why the hour’s dividers are called minutes and minute’s dividers are called seconds?
Perhaps some reader has ever asked about so seemingly irrelevant question as the origin of the names “minute” and “second”, the time’s dividers, but any knowledge is valuable.
“Digitus impudicus”, “the impudent finger”
Each of the fingers has its own name: thumb, index, middle, ring and little finger. The third, or half finger o heart finger, also is called “digitus impudicus” “obscene finger.” Why?
A 2000 years old Handbook for an election campaign
We are in one of several election campaigns that decide issues that make up our lives. In this case it’s European Parliament elections. Also in the ancient world, there were elections for public office and, even certain differences with the current time there were, many similarities are also too numerous, until to the point that some people will stay really surprised.
Local elections in Pompeii
We are now in election campaign to we elect deputies or representatives in the European Parliament. The streets are again plastered with election ads. Also the Old World had elections for some political office and had “campaign” with their messages of propaganda to persuade voters.
Marcus Tullius Tiro, father of shorthand
We find it striking and curious the usual image of some officials (mostly women) of the Spanish Congress of Deputies, busily transcribing on a paper tape the oral intervention of the deputies. They are shorthand writers or fast writers (actually they are stenographers, as we will clarify later).
Ancient cities were very noisy
We often develop our busy lives in an excessively noisy urban environment. The life and urban society, labor activity and some social customs and practices as hobby to large outdoor concerts, often produce excessive noise no according to health and peace of mind.
Library of Alexandria (and 6): The Bible of the Seventies.
In the populous city of Alexandria there was a very large Jewish community. The Jews were already numerous groups throughout the Greek world, to the point that many of them barely understand Aramaic or Hebrew.