50 Lies About the Romans Everyone Still Thinks Are True

We all think we know the Romans - they built epic roads, had crazy emperors, and loved a good gladiator fight. But hold up, a lot of what we "know" about these ancient history bosses is totally off base. Get ready to have your mind blown as we set the record straight on some major Roman myths.

Myth 50. All Romans Were Italian

Myth: All Romans were of Italian descent.

Reality: Many Romans were from other parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. The Roman Empire was a diverse and multicultural society that included people from various backgrounds.

Myth 49. Romans Spoke Latin Exclusively

Myth: All Romans spoke Latin as their primary language.

Reality: While Latin was the official language, many people spoke Greek and other local languages. The Roman Empire was a multilingual society, and the use of different languages was common in various regions.

Myth 48. Vomitoriums Were Used for Vomiting

Myth: Vomitoriums were rooms where Romans would vomit after overeating, so they could continue feasting.

Reality: Vomitoriums were actually entrance or exit passages in amphitheaters, not rooms for purging food. The myth likely arose from a misunderstanding of the Latin term "vomitorium."

Myth 47. Nero Fiddled While Rome Burned

Myth: Emperor Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned in the great fire of 64 AD.

Reality: There's no evidence Nero "fiddled" during the fire; in fact, violins hadn't even been invented at that time. The myth likely stems from a misinterpretation of ancient sources.

Myth 46. Gladiators Always Fought to the Death

Myth: Gladiatorial fights in ancient Rome were always to the death.

Reality: Many fights were to first blood or until yield, not necessarily death. While some gladiators did die in the arena, the fights were often intended as entertainment rather than executions.

Myth 45. All Emperors Were Tyrants

Myth: All Roman emperors were tyrannical and oppressive rulers.

Reality: Some emperors, like Marcus Aurelius, were actually quite philosophical and just. Not all emperors were tyrants; their reputations and leadership styles varied greatly.

Myth 44. Christians Were Always Persecuted

Myth: Christians were constantly persecuted throughout the Roman Empire.

Reality: There were periods of tolerance and legal acceptance of Christians before Constantine's conversion. The persecution of Christians was not constant or empire-wide.

Myth 43. Romans Had Orgies as Common Social Events

Myth: Orgies were common social events in ancient Roman society.

Reality: The depiction of widespread orgies is likely exaggerated and sensationalized. While sexual freedom was more accepted, orgies were not as commonplace as often portrayed.

Myth 42. The Roman Empire Fell in 476 AD

Myth: The Roman Empire fell in 476 AD when the city of Rome was sacked.

Reality: The Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire lasted until 1453 AD. The fall of Rome in 476 AD marked the end of the Western Roman Empire, but the Eastern Empire continued for nearly a millennium.

Myth 41. Caesar Was an Emperor

Myth: Julius Caesar was an emperor of the Roman Empire.

Reality: Julius Caesar was never an emperor; he was a dictator perpetuo, or dictator in perpetuity. The Roman Empire and the position of emperor did not exist until after his death.

Myth 40. Romans Were Primarily Warlike

Myth: The ancient Romans were an entirely warlike, militaristic society focused only on conquest and expansion.

Reality: While famous for their military prowess, the Romans also made significant cultural contributions to art, law, architecture, and more during their reign.

Myth 39. Lead Poisoning Caused the Empire's Fall

Myth: The theory that widespread lead poisoning from pipes and utensils caused the downfall of the Roman Empire.

Reality: Lead poisoning's role in Rome's decline is a hotly debated topic, and most scholars do not consider it a primary or significant factor behind the empire's eventual fall.

Myth 38. All Roman Soldiers Were Professional Warriors

Myth: All soldiers serving in the mighty Roman legions were full-time, professional warriors devoted solely to military service.

Reality: Many Roman soldiers were actually farmers, tradesmen and working-class citizens who enlisted or were drafted into military service on a part-time or rotating basis.

Myth 37. Romans Wore Togas All the Time

Myth: The iconic toga was the standard daily attire worn by all Romans in ancient times.

Reality: Togas were formal garments reserved for special occasions and ceremonies. Most Romans wore much simpler tunics and cloaks as everyday casual clothing.

Myth 36. Romans Ate Elaborate Meals Regularly

Myth: All Romans frequently enjoyed lavish, multi-course meals filled with exotic ingredients and delicacies.

Reality: Only the wealthy upper classes could afford such elaborate dining. The vast majority of common Romans consumed simple, basic foods like bread, porridge, cheese, and produce.

Myth 35. Slaves Built the Major Roman Architecture

Myth: The iconic architecture and engineering marvels of ancient Rome were predominantly built using slave labor.

Reality: While slaves worked on some projects, many major Roman buildings and structures were constructed by skilled free laborers, artisans, and master craftsmen.

Myth 34. Carthage Was Destroyed in a Single War

Myth: The great city of Carthage was completely destroyed by Rome in a single, decisive conflict known as the Punic Wars.

Reality: It actually took three prolonged Punic Wars over the course of 118 years before Rome finally razed and dismantled Carthage after the Third Punic War in 146 BC.

Myth 33. The Colosseum's Full Name is the Flavian Amphitheatre

Myth: The official, full name of the iconic Roman arena is the Flavian Amphitheatre.

Reality: "Colosseum" was actually a nickname derived from a nearby colossal statue of Nero. Its original name at construction was the Amphitheatrum Flavium.

Myth 32. Romans Discovered Concrete

Myth: The ancient Romans invented and first pioneered the use of concrete for construction.

Reality: While the Romans get credit for popularizing and perfecting concrete, earlier ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Babylonians had rudimentary forms of concrete before them.

Myth 31. Roman Women Had No Rights

Myth: Women in ancient Roman society were completely deprived of basic rights and subjugated by male dominance.

Reality: Compared to many other ancient civilizations, Roman women actually had more legal rights and autonomy, such as the ability to own property and businesses.

Myth 30. Romans Saluted Like Modern Militaries

Myth: Ancient Roman soldiers performed a salute identical to modern military forces, with a raised hand to the forehead.

Reality: What is considered the "Roman salute" is actually a modern 20th century invention popularized by dramatic cinema depictions, not an ancient Roman practice.

Myth 29. All Roads Led to Rome

Myth: This famous phrase means that literally every single road across the Roman Empire led directly back to the capital city of Rome.

Reality: "All roads lead to Rome" was a metaphorical phrase referring to Rome's centralized power and the roads' connective role, not a statement of geographic fact.

Myth 28. Romans Used Barbarians Only as Enemies

Myth: In ancient Rome, the term "barbarian" solely referred to foreign enemy tribes and peoples hostile to Roman rule.

Reality: Many so-called "barbarians" from Germanic and other tribes loyally served as soldiers and even high-ranking officers within the Roman legions.

Myth 27. The Senate Was Always Powerful

Myth: The Roman Senate body maintained supreme, unchallenged political power and authority throughout the empire's existence.

Reality: The Senate's level of governing power frequently fluctuated, often overshadowed or neutered by intervention from powerful emperors and military dictators.

Myth 26. Roman Art Was Entirely Original

Myth: All ancient Roman art, sculptures, paintings and creative works were completely original works without outside influences.

Reality: Much of Roman art and architecture was directly influenced by, inspired by or outright copied from earlier ancient Greek precedents they encountered.

Myth 25. Julius Caesar Was Killed for Being a Tyrant

Myth: Julius Caesar's assassination was motivated solely by his tyrannical abuses of power as an oppressive dictator.

Reality: He was killed because his increasing consolidation of power and kinglike rule posed an existential threat to the political elites of the Roman Republic and Senate.

Myth 24. The Aqueducts Were Purely Roman Innovations

Myth: The iconic Roman aqueduct system for transporting water was an entirely new, groundbreaking innovation never seen before.

Reality: While perfecting and extending them, the Romans actually improved upon and expanded early aqueduct technologies pioneered by preceding cultures like the Egyptians.

Myth 23. Roman Law Was Uniform Across the Empire

Myth: In ancient Rome, there existed a single, standardized legal code that applied equally across all territories of the vast empire.

Reality: Roman law varied significantly between different provinces and territories, as well as evolving drastically over the centuries of the empire's rule.

Myth 22. Caligula Made His Horse a Consul

Myth: The infamous story that the deranged Roman emperor Caligula appointed his favorite horse "Incitatus" as a Roman consul.

Reality: This tale was likely apocryphal propaganda spread by Caligula's political enemies to discredit him, with no credible historical evidence it actually occurred.

Myth 21. Pax Romana Was Entirely Peaceful

Myth: The "Pax Romana" or Roman Peace was a completely peaceful era free of any warfare or military conflict across the empire.

Reality: While relatively peaceful compared to preceding periods, the Pax Romana was not without its share of wars, rebellions and violent military suppression across Rome's territories.

Myth 20. Romans Had No Concept of Childhood

Myth: Romans treated children the same as adults and did not recognize childhood as a distinct phase of life.

Reality: This is a myth. The Romans recognized childhood as a separate stage of development with specific needs and education. Children were considered precious and their upbringing was seen as crucial for instilling proper values and preparing them for adulthood.

Myth 19. Roman Theater Was Primarily Serious

Myth: Roman theater was predominantly serious, dealing with tragic themes and historical events.

Reality: While serious dramas did exist, much of Roman theater was actually comedic and farcical in nature. Playwrights like Plautus and Terence were renowned for their humorous plays, which often satirized societal norms and poked fun at human foibles.

Myth 18. Ancient Romans Were Obsessed with Death

Myth: The Romans were morbidly preoccupied with death and had a gloomy outlook on life.

Reality: While the Romans had a pragmatic and accepting attitude towards death, they also celebrated life with vigor. Grand feasts, festivals, and various forms of entertainment were integral parts of Roman culture, reflecting their zest for living.

Myth 17. Romans Used Galeae (Helmets) in All Battles

Myth: Roman soldiers wore helmets (galeae) in every battle, regardless of the circumstances.

Reality: Helmet use in the Roman army varied depending on the time period, the specific legion, and the status of the soldier. While helmets were essential for heavy infantry, their usage was not universal across all Roman forces and situations.

Myth 16. Romans Built the First Roads in Europe

Myth: The Romans were the first to construct roads in Europe, pioneering the concept of a sophisticated road network.

Reality: While the Romans built an impressive network of roads across their empire, there were roads in Europe long before the rise of Rome. Various ancient civilizations, including the Celts and the Greeks, had already established rudimentary road systems.

Myth 15. Roman Armies Were Invincible

Myth: The Roman armies were unbeatable and never suffered any significant defeats.

Reality: Despite their military prowess and numerous victories, Roman armies suffered numerous defeats throughout history. From the Battle of Cannae against Hannibal to the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest against the Germanic tribes, the Roman legions were not invincible and faced setbacks at various points in their history.

Myth 14. All Roman Emperors Lived in Extravagant Luxury

Myth: Every Roman emperor lived in opulent luxury, indulging in excessive wealth and extravagance.

Reality: While some Roman emperors did live lavishly, others chose relatively modest lifestyles. For example, the emperor Diocletian retired to his birthplace and lived in a relatively humble palace, tending to his vegetable gardens.

Myth 13. Roman Entertainment Was Only Violent

Myth: Roman entertainment revolved solely around violent spectacles like gladiatorial games and executions.

Reality: While the Romans did enjoy violent forms of entertainment, they also appreciated more cerebral and artistic pursuits. Plays, poetry readings, philosophical debates, and musical performances were popular forms of entertainment among the educated classes.

Myth 12. Romans Had No Contact with China

Myth: The Romans had no knowledge of or contact with the ancient Chinese civilization.

Reality: While there was no direct political or military contact between Rome and China, there were indirect trade and cultural exchanges through the Silk Road and other trade routes. Chinese silk, spices, and other goods made their way to Rome, and Roman goods reached China as well.

Myth 11. The Romans Never Used Archery in Combat

Myth: The Roman armies never employed archers or archery in combat situations.

Reality: While the Roman legions primarily relied on their infantry and favored close-quarter combat, archery was still used to a lesser extent. Auxiliary archers were employed, particularly in siege warfare and skirmishes, providing ranged support to the main forces.

Myth 10. All Roads in Rome Were Stone-Paved

Myth: Every road within the city of Rome was paved with stone, reflecting the grandeur of the empire.

Reality: While the main roads and thoroughfares in Rome were indeed paved with stone, many roads, especially in less affluent areas and neighborhoods, were unpaved and made of compacted earth or gravel. The quality of roads varied across different parts of the city.

Myth 9. Gladiatorial Combat Was the Only Form of Roman Entertainment

Myth: The primary form of entertainment in ancient Rome was gladiatorial combat, with little interest in other forms of amusement.

Reality: Romans enjoyed a wide range of entertainments, including theatrical performances, chariot races, public speeches, and literary readings, showcasing a culture with diverse tastes and interests.

Myth 8. The Roman Forum Was Merely a Marketplace

Myth: The Roman Forum was primarily a place for buying and selling goods.

Reality: The Forum was the center of Roman public life and served multiple functions, including as a venue for public speeches, criminal trials, and significant religious ceremonies.

Myth 7. Roman Soldiers Drank Vinegar for Strength

Myth: It was a common practice among Roman soldiers to drink vinegar to enhance their strength and stamina.

Reality: While vinegar was used as a dietary supplement, it was more about preserving water and making it safe to drink. The idea that it was used as a strength tonic is a myth.

Myth 6. Romans Invented the Steam Engine

Myth: Romans were the first to create a rudimentary steam engine, known as an aeolipile.

Reality: Although the aeolipile was a type of steam turbine, its practical use was limited, and it was more of a novelty or experimental device than a true engine.

Myth 5. Roman Citizens Routinely Participated in Democratic Elections

Myth: Roman citizens had the right to vote in democratic elections, similar to modern democratic systems.

Reality: While there were assemblies and some democratic elements, the Roman political system was largely controlled by a small group of elites, and many "elections" were heavily influenced or outright controlled by these powerful individuals.

Myth 4. Romans Regularly Consumed Exotic Animals at Feasts

Myth: Romans commonly ate exotic animals such as flamingos and lions at their banquets.

Reality: Such practices were rare and usually reserved for the extravagant feasts of the very wealthy. Most Romans ate a more typical Mediterranean diet.

Myth 3. The Roman Empire Was Constantly Expanding

Myth: The Roman Empire was in a constant state of expansion throughout its history.

Reality: There were periods of consolidation and internal development where the expansion was not the primary focus. Several emperors chose to stabilize and strengthen the existing borders rather than expand them.

Myth 2. Roman Architecture Was Uniform Across the Empire

Myth: All Roman architecture followed the same uniform style throughout the empire.

Reality: Roman architecture varied greatly depending on local styles, materials, and cultural influences, leading to a diverse range of building designs and techniques.

Myth 1. The Romans Had No Knowledge of Sub-Saharan Africa

Myth: Romans were completely unaware of Sub-Saharan Africa and had no contact with the region.

Reality: Romans were aware of and had some contact with Sub-Saharan Africa, primarily through trade. Historical accounts and archaeological evidence show that there was interaction with various African societies.