13 Weird Roman Jobs That (Luckily) No Longer Exist

You think your job is weird? Just be grateful you weren't living in ancient Rome! Back then, some truly bizarre professions existed - from dedicated sandal carriers to professional name-reminders. The Romans had no shortage of peculiar careers that would make even the strangest modern-day jobs seem pretty tame in comparison.

So let's take a look at 13 of the most outlandish ancient Roman occupations that (thankfully) don't exist anymore. Get ready to be both amazed and grateful for your normal 9-to-5 as we uncover the odd, the unsavory, and the utterly absurd jobs of ancient Roman society. You'll never complain about your work life again after learning about these!

13. Lixae: The Camp Followers and Sutlers

When the Roman legions were on the march, the lixae trailed behind as camp followers, providing soldiers with food, supplies, and perhaps some...extracurricular activities. An ancient military contractor of sorts!

12. Murmillones: The Fish-Helmet Gladiators

Speaking of gladiators, the murmillones were a unique bunch, recognizable by their fish-shaped helmets. Hopefully, they proved as slippery as their headgear suggested!

11. Bestiarii: The Animal-Fighting Entertainers

In the bloodthirsty entertainment of ancient Roman arenas, bestiarii didn't just fight other gladiators - they battled ferocious beasts for the crowd's amusement. Now that's one wild performance!

10. Cloaca Maxima Workers: The Sewer Supervisors

Keeping the Cloaca Maxima - Rome's massive sewer system - flowing smoothly was no easy feat. This dirty job fell to a dedicated crew of workers who made sure the city didn't, well, go to waste.

9. Glirarium Farmers: The Dormouse Delicacy Rearers

You've heard of cattle ranchers, but what about dormouse farmers? In ancient Rome, glirarii raised these tiny rodents as a culinary delicacy. Gourmet grub or just nuts?

8. Lecticarii: The Human Palanquin Bearers

Can't be bothered to walk? The rich and powerful Romans had lecticarii to carry them around in luxurious litters or palanquins. Personal chauffeurs, ancient style!

7. Vestal Virgins: The Flame-Tending Priestesses

In ancient Rome, keeping the sacred fire of Vesta burning was a big deal. Enter the Vestal Virgins - a group of priestesses with immense societal power. They tended to the flame 24/7, and if it went out, chaos would allegedly ensue!

6. Ornatrix: The Ancient Hairstylists

Even ancient Roman women needed their glam squads! Ornatrices were professional hairstylists and stylists dedicated to keeping the wealthy looking fabulous.

5. Nomenclatores: The Name-Reminding Assistants

Struggling to remember names at a party? The wealthy Romans had nomenclatores to help with that! These personal assistants whispered names to their masters to avoid awkward social situations.

4. Fullones: The Urine Laundrymen

Need your toga cleaned? In ancient Rome, the fullones had you covered - as long as you didn't mind a splash of urine! These laundrymen famously used ammonia-rich human urine to get those stains out.

3. Sandaligerulae: The Sandal Carriers

Imagine having your entire job revolve around...carrying shoes? That was likely the life of sandaligerulae - slaves or attendants who carried their master's sandals. Talk about a step down on the career ladder!

2. Augures: The Bird-Watching Priests

Need some divine guidance? The augures were the go-to guys! These Roman priests interpreted the will of the gods by closely observing the flight patterns of birds.

1. Urinatores: The Ancient Underwater Recoverers

Exploring murky depths with nothing but a breath? That was the life of urinatores - ancient Roman divers tasked with underwater repairs and recoveries. No scuba gear, just good old-fashioned lung capacity!

While some of these professions may seem bizarre by today's standards, they were a vital part of everyday life in ancient Rome. From sacred rituals to unusual delicacies, the Roman world was full of peculiar jobs that make modern careers look downright ordinary!