When we Americans think of slavery, we think of the heinous history of abuse perpetrated onto the peoples of West Africa during the 16th through 19th centuriesBut in the ancient world, the majority of slaves were not African, but European.Few came from Africa at all. Why? Because slaves came from the regions Rome conquered and Rome never ventured further into Africa than Egypt … [Read more...] about The Pallor of Ancient Slaves
Ancient Rome
The Ancients where ‘Whizzes’ at Bleaching Teeth
The earliest Egyptians cleaned their teeth with powdered ox hooves, myrrh, eggshells and pumice. How they applied such a yummy mix of flavors and textures to their teeth is unknown. Ancient Romans scrubbed their choppers with a toothpaste made of rock salt and nettle (a variety which the Romans used to polish glass). They probably threw in a fragrant flower or two to make … [Read more...] about The Ancients where ‘Whizzes’ at Bleaching Teeth
Oh for Crying Out Loud!
Some ancient Romans cried into little glass bottles when in mourning. Once filled, they left the tear-shaped vials in the tombs of the newly departed as a sign of respect. But for others, it wasn’t enough to have family members cry into their cups. Professional mourners were available to wail, moan and tear out their hair in honor of your terrible loss. And for an extra coin … [Read more...] about Oh for Crying Out Loud!
“I Swear On My Plums…”
Occassionally I hear the claim that ancient Roman men swore on their...um..."plums" before testifying in court. Could it be true--is there a "testes/testify" connection? I've read different opinions but the consensus seems to be that it didn't quite happen that way. Here's where the confusion may have begun: the word testicle apparently, comes from the Latin testiculus, a … [Read more...] about “I Swear On My Plums…”
