Ancient Roman Empire Facts That You Never Knew About

As people made their way down the infamous Trajan’s Market, they could simply not ignore the stench of the city. The streets were narrow, hot, and overcrowded as soldiers, civilians, and aristocrats filled them with life. Peddlers and customers were common sights out there as well. In the middle of the commotion, you could even hear the roars coming from the Colosseum as one gladiator won their life and another met their demise. This was life back in Ancient Rome. Most people have a vague understanding of this important time in history, though this is a culture worth taking a closer look at.

Read on to clarify some of the common misconceptions people have about Ancient Empire. Let’s get to it!

Gladiator Fighting Was Not The Most Popular Sport Back Then

The first that comes to mind when discussing entertainment in Ancient Rome would be gladiator fights in the Colosseum. The fighting to the death certainly thrilled many members of the Roman public, though it was not the most popular sport back then. While the size of these games and the brutality displayed had been incredible, not everyone was fond of it. Chariot racing was actually the most popular sport in those days. It is impressive to hear that the Colosseum had a seating capacity of 50,000 people but that is nothing compared to the most famous chariot racing venue. The Circus Maximus could actually seat up to 250,000 people!

The Life Expectancy of the Average Roman

It is true that Rome was technologically advanced, though that apparently does not equate to sanitary living conditions or surroundings. In fact, this may have something to do with the historians’ belief in the unbelievably low life expectancy of Ancient Rome at only 25 to 40 years old! However, this was a huge misconception since these digits actually refer to the lifespan of the whole population instead of the individual life expectancy. Regardless, Ancient Rome had an extremely high child mortality rate with half of the population dying before they turned ten years old. If you managed to live past this mark, however, you were almost guaranteed to enjoy a long life. The low average could also be attributed to the military deaths and childbirth fatalities.