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Have you ever wondered what life was really like in ancient times? Do you still think dinosaurs were just large reptiles? Or perhaps you’re ready to argue endlessly about gladiators? It’s time to set the record straight and reveal the captivating truths that have been concealed behind these myths for far too long.
Let’s uncover the full story about the true nature of dinosaurs, the real color of the pyramids, and the surprising facts about Roman hygiene.
10. Dinosaurs Were Just Giant Reptiles
In popular media, dinosaurs are often depicted as massive bipedal reptiles with scaly skin, much like modern crocodiles. This is the image portrayed in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park. At the time of filming, this depiction was believed to be scientifically accurate. However, recent paleontological discoveries now suggest that dinosaurs were actually much closer to birds than reptiles.
Feathers were present on many dinosaurs—even on the renowned Tyrannosaurus rex, commonly known as the T-Rex!
This shouldn't be too surprising, considering that birds evolved from dinosaurs. In reality, these fearsome lizards looked more like oversized, toothy, clawed, wingless birds—think of giant chickens or kiwis—moving in similar ways and exhibiting bird-like behaviors. And about the terrifying roars you hear in movies? Dinosaurs likely purred and cooed like doves instead.
9. Ancient Humans Embraced a Paleo Lifestyle
Lately, there has been a rising trend among health enthusiasts, with many advocating that returning to the diet of our ancient ancestors could improve our health. The popular Paleo diet consists of foods that early humans and hunters would have consumed, such as meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, greens, and nuts—while completely excluding milk, grains, and legumes.
However, the modern Paleo diet differs significantly from the diet of Paleolithic humans. It typically includes an excessive amount of meat and fish, while our ancestors, the gatherers, faced challenges obtaining these foods. On the other hand, plants are underrepresented. Back in the day, people even ate plants like water lilies and thistles, which we'd typically consider inedible today.
While you might try, recreating an authentic Palaeolithic diet is virtually impossible due to the vast changes in the plant world over thousands of years. The fruits and roots we consume today bear little resemblance to those that once existed in the environment of our ancient ancestors.
Additionally, preparing the intricate and diverse dishes found in modern diets would have been a significant challenge in the past, especially without the aid of ovens and multi-cookers.
8. The Egyptians Used Hieroglyphic Writing
When people think of ancient Egypt, they often associate it with pyramids, pharaohs, and hieroglyphs—those enigmatic symbols that functioned as writing, illustrating everything from household items to gods, animals, and birds. The Egyptians employed these for nearly 4,000 years.
However, it’s important to recognize that hieroglyphs weren’t used constantly. As scholar Rosalie David notes, these elaborate symbols were typically reserved for special occasions. The Egyptians believed that writing in this sacred form would bring their words to life, giving hieroglyphs a magical significance.
Moreover, consistently writing with these symbols can be time-consuming and challenging. To simplify matters, the ancient Egyptians developed hieratic and, later, demotic writing systems. These were more cursive and resembled what we now use as regular 'letters.'
7. The Pyramids Have Always Been Sand-Colored
Speaking of ancient Egypt, it's interesting to note that in most films about Egypt, the pyramids are shown covered in yellowish sand. However, in reality, during the pharaohs' time, the pyramids were dazzlingly white!
Constructed from pristine white limestone, the pyramids' polished stone surface reflected sunlight so brilliantly that it was nearly blinding. A surviving fragment of the cladding of the Great Pyramid of Giza reveals how stunning they once appeared.
Over the centuries, the polished stones eroded and accumulated sand, causing the pyramids' surface to become uneven. While the Great Pyramid is still an awe-inspiring sight today, imagine how breathtaking it must have been when it was gleaming white under the sun.
6. The Ancient Greeks Did Not Wear Togas
When people think of the ancient Greeks, they often picture strong athletes or wise, grey-bearded philosophers (also in good shape) dressed in what appear to be tattered cloths or loose garments draped directly over their bare bodies.
Take a look at Jacques-Louis David’s painting The Death of Socrates, and you'll understand the imagery. For those with a deep interest in history, the name of this blanket-like garment might sound familiar: the toga.
However, the truth is that the Greeks never wore togas. This garment was originally created by the Etruscans, who called it a tebenna. Later, the Romans adopted it and named it the toga. The Romans were known to depict togas in various colors and patterns, and white versions, referred to as ‘candidates,’ were worn by those running for public office—hence the word ‘candidate.’
The Greeks, on the other hand, preferred to wear draped fabric in different styles such as the chiton, peplos, and himation. But these were never worn directly on the skin. Instead, clothing was worn over undergarments, like the perizoma, a loincloth worn by both men and women, or other types of garments.
5. In Greek Myth, Pandora Opened the Box
In Greek mythology, Pandora, the first woman created on Earth, curiously opened a container given to her by Zeus, where all the world’s miseries were sealed. Once she realized the chaos she had unleashed, she quickly shut the box, but by then, only hope remained at the very bottom.
As a result, the terms ‘box,’ ‘casket,’ or ‘Pandora’s box’ became widely used. However, the original myth told by the Greeks didn’t involve a box at all. Instead, Zeus handed Pandora a pithos, which was a large ceramic jar used for storing olive oil.
When Erasmus of Rotterdam translated Hesiod's story of Pandora into Latin in the 16th century, he mistakenly confused the word pythos with pyxis (meaning 'box'). This error led to the creation of the well-known idiom 'Pandora’s Box.'
4. Gladiators Did Not Always Fight to the Death
When people think of gladiatorial combat, they often envision fierce battles to the death, with the crowd roaring in excitement. However, research suggests that gladiators did not die nearly as frequently as is commonly believed.
Professor Michael J. Carter explains, 'The death of a gladiator in the arena represents a significant financial loss.' Before the games, sponsors would rent gladiators from trainers. If a fighter died, the sponsor would have to pay nearly 50 times the rental fee.
Training a gladiator was also a costly endeavor for the owner. Because of this, gladiators were well cared for, and if a fighter was injured, he was treated rather than killed. It is believed that only one out of every ten battles resulted in death.
3. People in the Past Were Not Much Shorter
Some people romanticize the past, suggesting that ancient civilizations were home to towering giants. Others argue that people in ancient times were much shorter. However, archaeological evidence shows that the average height of people from earlier periods was quite similar to that of modern populations.
Human height tends to vary over time due to factors like living conditions. In the last century and a half, people in developed nations have seen an average increase of about 3.9 inches (10 cm). However, prior to this, height was on the decline, dropping from an average of 5'8" (173.4 cm) in the early Middle Ages to roughly 5'6" (167 cm) in the 17th and 18th centuries.
These height fluctuations are linked to people's overall health and nutrition. Growth is promoted only when living standards improve, not merely with the passage of time.
2. The Romans Boasted Advanced Hygiene
Some believe that had the Roman Empire not fallen and its accomplishments been preserved through the Middle Ages, we might now be witnessing their colonization of space. Consider this: The Romans had sophisticated water pipes, sewer systems ('cloaca'), baths, and aqueducts. Meanwhile, in the Middle Ages, people discarded chamber pots out of windows. Quite a decline in human progress, wouldn't you agree?
Yet, the Roman reputation for hygiene is somewhat inflated. Archaeologists have discovered that ancient Romans frequently battled widespread issues with intestinal parasites, fleas, lice, and diseases like dysentery, typhoid, and cholera.
Indeed, the Romans had steam baths and public latrines. However, the water in the baths was rarely replaced, and the toilets were far from sanitary. Additionally, rats were known to bite unsuspecting people in rather inconvenient places. For personal hygiene, they used reusable sponges on sticks, known as xylo sponges. After use, these sponges were discarded into a tank of dirty water, awaiting the next person in line.
The Romans also used urine to rinse their mouths as a method for teeth cleaning, and it was even included as an ingredient in some medications. Furthermore, according to the Roman poet Catullus, both human and animal fluids found their way into various uses.
1. Gladiators Were Known for Their Well-Defined Abs
Here's another insight into the warriors of the Colosseum. Thanks to films like Spartacus, Gladiator, and Centurion, we tend to picture these arena fighters as well-built, dashing athletes, often portrayed in minimal clothing.
However, the reality is that actual gladiators were not exactly the epitome of every woman's fantasy. Their muscles were often covered with a layer of subcutaneous fat. Research conducted by anthropologists from the Medical University of Vienna, who examined the remains of these fighters, revealed that their diet was low in animal protein and high in legumes and carbohydrate-rich grains.
The historian Pliny also noted that gladiators were often called hordearii, meaning 'barley eaters.' This diet, rich in barley, helped them build fat, which acted as protection against injuries. While gladiatorial combat didn't always result in death, it was undoubtedly violent and brutal.
A well-nourished fighter had a better chance of avoiding serious damage to internal organs when struck by a sword. Therefore, gladiators were certainly not the picture of perfect physiques.
