Hey! What's up? :)

Hey there! I'm Felix, a young boy living in ancient Rome during the awesome and thrilling 2nd century. Life's an adventure here, especially in the outer parts of the empire where I come from. I'm always up to something, helping my dad and exploring the coolest stuff!

Come along on this super fun quiz game where I'm on a quest to solve problems and answer a few questions. Don't be afraid, if you have paid attention during my journey to meet the friendly tribe in the wilderness, and discover their secrets of medicine, this will be easy for you! Though I might ask you a few questions about our way of life too. Just think about me, mum and dad, and you'll know everything, I promise! So... ready?

Perfect!

I've got the questions for you, fellow young explorers! Let's team up and uncover the wonders of ancient Rome. Are you ready for the challenge? Let the game begin! See you on the quest!

Is that coal? Would I eat coal? Answer the following question about food in Rome!

We will take a long road together. When planning a journey, you have to be prepared for every obstacle you might face. That’s why I was asking around, if you remember. However, there is one more important thing to take away with you: food! I also had some breakfast this morning, though I can’t really wait for some bigger meal later on. Can you guess what is the most common meal to have for breakfast around here?

Fruit and cheese

Bread, wheat or oatmeal

Meat or fish

Yoghurt, bread and honey

Breakfast in ancient Rome was not a major meal.

Most Romans ate their breakfast on the run before they started their daily activities. Lower-class Romans and slaves would eat bread, porridge, or some fruit for breakfast. The bread was dipped in wine to soften it. Upper-class Romans would add fruit, cheese, and some watered-down wine to wash it down.

Also, do you remember the picture? That is an ancient Roman bread from Pompei!

To ga or not to ga? ;)

Also, if you are a true Roman and you are preparing for a journey, you might need to put in an extra toga, too. Do you know what that is?

A type of Roman coin

A Roman military formation

A type of Roman warship

A formal garment worn by Roman citizens

In ancient Rome, the toga was a big deal!

It was a long, flowing robe that wrapped around the body in quite tricky ways. I was wearing it during the game. Do you remember? It was a symbol of Roman citizenship and a must-have for special occasions and public events. So, if you're hitting the road in ancient Rome, don't forget to toss that extra toga in your travel bag – you never know when you might need to look your Roman best!

All about the Empire...

When on the road, you can meet many different kinds of people. If you meet the kinds of people as my father used to be, how would you call them?

Gladiators

Centurions

Legionaries

Senators

Legionaries were the core soldiers of the Roman legions, vital to the success of the Roman military.

These highly disciplined and trained Roman citizens served with a commitment to long-term military duty. Armed with a standardised set of equipment, including the iconic gladius sword and scutum shield, legionaries were versatile in various combat scenarios. Their proficiency extended beyond battle skills to encompass military engineering and the construction of fortifications. After they completed their service, legionaries were rewarded with Roman citizenship, contributing to diverse regions' cultural and political integration into the Roman Empire.

Who did what?!

When thinking back of home, there were so many tasks in and around the household, like cleaning, washing up, tending to the animals, cooking… and so many more, that rich people wouldn’t usually do. Do you remember who was tending to them? Who cared for the household, especially for the cooking, in ancient Roman times?

The children

Slaves

The husband/father

The wife/mother

In ancient Roman society, the food consumed by the elites was prepared by cooks who were slaves.

There is no evidence at all which shows men and women of the Roman elite working together to prepare a meal because slaves did the job for them. There were apparently no strict gender divisions among servile cooks in wealthier families. And this is true for most of the household chores in general, with a few exclusions… like cleaning, which was always a woman’s job. Apuleius [a Roman writer] depicts slave cooks of both sexes.

So far, so good! What else do you know? Cheers to your clever answers!

Very good! When visitors come to a home, we also welcome them with snacks and drinks. Do you know what we offered to visitors in our time? What was the most common drink for the ancient Romans?

Ciders and other fermented drinks

Wine in various forms

Fruit juices and beverages

Beer, fermented grains and milk

Wine was the drink of choice at the very heart of ancient Rome’s culture, and as time passed, it gained more and more importance – especially after the 4th century!

Ciders and other fermented drinks were known but were all second to wine. Wine was a “civilised” drink and became central to the Roman way of life. Beer, fermented grains, and milk were decidedly un-Roman and could carry barbarous connotations. Originating from the Greek symposium, elite Romans gathered on couches to drink in private houses and banquet rooms.

But why not drink just water, you ask…? Simple! Water wasn’t as clean and safe to drink back then, and the fermentation that occurred while making alcohol made everything safer to drink, as it killed many bacteria.

What would you do if you got ill in ancient times?

You have seen that my father was very ill, and we tried everything to heal him, even bloodletting. Do you remember what that was? Based on this, finish this sentence: In ancient Roman times, medicine was based primarily on… (there are two correct answers)

Herbs, plants and diet

Artificial substances

Rituals and prayers

Nothing but faith and time – they were just waiting around!

Ancient Roman medicine was a holistic approach combining natural remedies and spiritual practices.

While it wasn't solely reliant on "Nothing but faith and time," a significant aspect of Roman healing involved using herbs, plants, and a balanced diet. Physicians in ancient Rome recognised the medicinal properties of various plants and herbs, utilising them to treat ailments and maintain health.

Moreover, "Rituals and prayers" held importance in Roman medicine, reflecting the belief that spiritual well-being was intertwined with physical health. Religious rituals and prayers were performed to seek the favour of the gods, hoping for healing and protection from illnesses. Combining natural remedies with spiritual practices, this dual approach reflects ancient Roman medical practices' nuanced and comprehensive nature.

So, the correct answer would be a combination of:

• Herbs, plants, and diet
• Rituals and prayers

When in Rome...

Do you remember when we met Gerulata? Who or what was it?

A famous Roman emperor

A type of Roman military formation

A Roman military fortification in present-day Slovakia

An ancient Greek philosopher

A Roman military fortification in present-day Slovakia, which was part of the Limes lines

Gerulata was a Roman military fortification and settlement located in what is now Slovakia. It was part of the Limes Romanus, the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. But what is the Limes, you ask?

The Limes Romanus was a complex network of roads, watchtowers, and fortresses that formed the defensive boundary of the Roman Empire, stretching over 5,000 kilometres across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. This frontier system not only protected Rome from external threats but also facilitated trade and cultural exchange, playing a crucial role in the empire's administration and military strategy.

As part of this, Gerulata served as a military camp and played a crucial role in defending the Roman Empire against various barbarian invasions. The archaeological remains of Gerulata provide valuable insights into the Roman military presence in the region during ancient times.

I'm sure you heard the word "barbar" before...

We have established that we could have met Roman soldiers on the road near to us, especially because our house is so close to the land that we call Barbaricum. But there are others too, other people than Roman soldiers... Who else could you have met if we were not talking about Romans? Think about also the neighbours that could have wandered into or interacted with Rome! You might remember that we met the Quadi in the game… Which ancient tribes lived on the territory of today´s countries, such as Germany, Czechia, Poland, and Slovakia, during the time of the Roman Empire? Hint: the official name of this part would be: Germanic Barbaricum.

Vikings

Germanic tribes

Gauls

Britons

I'm sure you heard the word "barbar" before...

Place the current name of those countries we have mentioned before!

Germany

Slovakia

Poland

Czechia

The ancient tribes that lived in the region outside the borders of the Roman Empire, on the territory of what is today Czechia, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia during the time of the Roman Empire, were the Germanic tribes.

Their land was beyond the Limes lines to North, Central, and South Eastern Europe. While it was not officially Roman land, Roman people used to think about it as "lands lying beyond Roman administrative control but nonetheless a part of the Roman world".

This land was inhabited by diverse groups of people, including tribes such as the Suebi, Cherusci, and Alemanni… and even the Quadi you met just recently! They interacted with the Roman Empire through trade, conflicts, and alliances, significantly impacting the historical narratives of the Germanic tribes and the Romans.

[Picture: countries with germanic origins]

It's all about the vibes, isn't it?

I just simply love the mood of the Roman Empire when I travel and look around! What I love the most is the mood of Villa Rustica, which is all around the country! What is a Villa Rustica in Roman architecture?

A type of gladiatorial arena

A Roman bathhouse

A marketplace in ancient Rome

A rural Roman country house and estate

A Villa Rustica was a type of Roman country house typically located in the countryside.

It served as a residence for wealthy Romans and often included agricultural facilities like vineyards and farms. These villas were characterised by their spacious layouts, courtyards, and various rooms for domestic activities. The term "Rustica" indicates its rural setting, highlighting the connection to agricultural activities.

Horse days?! What are horse days?

I’m pretty sure I would get lost on the road if I could not read maps. But do you know how I do it? Do you know what technique the Romans used for determining distances on their maps?

Astrolabe

Compass

Sundial

Scale

Romans used a scale on their maps to determine distances.

This allowed them to estimate how far one location was from another, helping with navigation and travel planning.

Do you know what units they used on these maps when they were calculating? Horse days! This means that one day would mean as much time and distance as a horse can comfortably travel in a day – that was the base of the scale.

Rivers? A good summer swim is the best thing in the world! But will there be crocodiles?

And obviously, there are things we must know when it comes to maps! Just as much as you have to know which is your capital and what are your neighbouring countries! I also have to know the answer to the following question by heart. What do you think? Which famous river marked the northern boundary of the Roman Empire?

Nile River

Danube River

Tiber River

Thames River

The Danube River served as the northern boundary of the Roman Empire and was considered to be part of the Limes.

It was an extremely important geographical feature on Roman maps… even though the river wasn’t as friendly at that time as it is today.

At those times, the Danube wasn’t controlled: it didn’t have a set route or dams, and it had regular, major floods—which took up a lot of land space every season. Crossing was extremely hard. That’s why maps not only paid attention to the routes of the Danube but also to the safe crossing points on it, which were often used as military or trade outposts.

It all sounds very foreign to me... or is it not?

You might have heard me talking before and thought that you understood what I was saying—or at least some words like pater and mater. What do you think? Due to Roman influence, what language served as the basis for many modern European languages, including Italian, French, and Spanish?

Greek

Aramaic

Sanskrit

Latin

Due to Roman influence, Latin is the basis for many modern European languages, including Italian, French, Romanian and Spanish.

Latin was the official language of the Roman Empire and played a pivotal role in administration, education, and culture. As the Romans expanded their influence across Europe, Latin left an enduring legacy, influencing the development of Romance languages. Even today, Latin continues to be a significant linguistic root, with numerous words and phrases embedded in the vocabulary of various modern European languages.

Think about it, what Latin words do you know? Also, if you look at the map, you can see the countries that are using the so-called Latin alphabet!

Old English is so cool!

[Picture: In this picture you can see how the English Language changed over the years. Look at the map and you can find the time when English - as a language - met with the Germanic Settlements!]

Now that I think of it… There are so many words that you might understand from my language! Can you think of a few? Medicus! Mater! Pater! Ave! What do you think? What percentage of English words are estimated to have Latin origins?

10%

90%

50-60%

30-70%

It is around 30% if we think about ancient Rome, but it can go up to 70% if we look at all words that have Latin roots and come from later developed Latin languages (like French or Italian).

Trains? Chariots? Is there a connection?

Also, if we turn the topic back to travelling, you might have seen that we had horses. There is a common misconception about chariots and their influence on our times. What do you think, which one of these is the misinformation that many people believe in?

Since the chariots were made for Imperial Rome, they were all alike regarding wheel spacing. Therefore, the United States standard railroad gauge of 4 feet, 8.5 inches is derived from the original specifications for an Imperial Roman war chariot. In centimetres, this equals 143.5 cm!

Chariot racing indirectly influenced the development of smartphones in the modern era. The intense competition and teamwork in chariot races inspired the creators of the chariots to have vibraphone devices that encouraged collaboration and communication throughout the games. This later became fax, then phones, and then smartphones.

Many people believe that the standard width of railroads in the U.S. and U.K. of 4 feet 8-1/2 inches was adopted from the wheel width of Roman chariots.

However, this is not true. Historians state that Romans did not use chariots in warfare or in long-distance travel – only in ceremonies or in stadiums.

Those fantastic pictures were a lot harder before phones!

It’s not just Villa Rustica that I like when travelling around. I also like our art, especially our carefully designed mosaics. Funny, sometimes they are presented even at fast food stalls! Nevertheless, Roman mosaics are intricate artworks of my time. What do you think, how are they created? We create them by arranging small pieces of what material?

Stone or tiles

Wood

Glass

Metal

Roman mosaics were intricate artworks created by arranging small pieces of stone or tiles.

These pieces, known as tesserae, were meticulously arranged to form vibrant and detailed images on floors, walls, and ceilings. The use of stone or tiles allowed for a durable and long-lasting medium that could withstand the test of time. The subjects depicted in Roman mosaics ranged from mythological scenes and intricate geometric patterns to daily life and portraits. The meticulous craftsmanship of these mosaics showcased the artistic prowess of the ancient Romans and remains an enduring testament to their skill in creating visually stunning and enduring works of art. Therefore, the correct answer is: Stone or tiles.

All that glitters isn't gold?

In the game, you could see that there were many objects around – and those were all real, from all over Europe! There were a lot of “shiny” objects too if you know what I mean! ;) Gold, silver, bronze and gemstones were especially popular for making rings, bracelets, and necklaces! What was a common purpose of jewellery for the Romans besides decoration?

To show off their cooking skills

To indicate social status

To use as a fishing tool

To play music

Romans loved to show off their wealth with shiny materials.

Roman jewellery was often used to indicate social status within the community. Wealthy Romans wore elaborate, expensive jewellery made from precious metals and gemstones to display their wealth and position. This practice was not just about looking good but also about showing their power and influence in society.

Can you read the numbers on the top of old houses?

My Father wants me to learn for a good reason: I’m very smart! I’m good with numbers and letters. Can you be as good as me? Connect the numbers!

Don’t forget the numbers are translated to the following:
• 1 - I
• 5 - V
• 10 - X
• 50 - L
• 100 - C
• 500 - D
• 1000 – M

84		XXXVII

65		LXXXIV

93		XIX

19		LVI

56		LXXII

42		XCIII

37		LXV

72		XLII

Good job so far! We are almost there!

All of these planets... they didn't plan it this way, did they?

In the game, we stopped by a shrine. Do you know which Roman god was known as the king of the gods and the god of the sky and thunder?

Mercury

Mars

Neptune

Jupiter

Jupiter was the king of the gods in Roman mythology, similar to Zeus in Greek mythology.

He ruled over the sky and thunder and was often depicted holding a lightning bolt. Jupiter was considered the most powerful of the Roman gods and played a central role in many myths and religious practices. His association with the sky and thunder symbolised his authority and power over gods and humans.

I'm getting hungry again...

Now that we are getting to the end of our journey, I’m getting hungry again, and I"m starting to think about the kitchen and all the yummy stuff that is there! Yesterday, Mum brought home my favourite sauce from the market! I bet I like it just as much as you like ketchup. Which of the following things might it be?

Vinegar

Olive oil

Garum, also known as fish oil

Honey

Garum, also known as liquamen, was a popular ancient Roman condiment made from fermented fish.

This pungent sauce was a staple in Roman cuisine, used extensively to add flavour to various dishes. To make garum, fish, usually small oily species like mackerel or anchovies, were left to ferment in salt for several weeks or even months. The resulting liquid, rich in proteins and umami flavours, was then collected and used as a seasoning in soups, stews, and sauces.

Garum was highly valued in Roman cooking, and different qualities of garum were available at varying prices, similar to the distinctions we make with fine wines today. This ancient condiment not only provided a distinctive taste to Roman dishes but also played a significant role in the culinary heritage of the Mediterranean region.

That's it, valete, dear friends!

Our journey through the wonders of ancient Rome has come to an end. I hope you enjoyed unravelling the mysteries and exploring the rich tapestry of Roman life with me. Your enthusiasm and curiosity have made this adventure truly special.

Remember, the echoes of history linger in every corner, and the spirit of ancient Rome lives on in the stories we've shared. Until our paths cross again, take care, and may your curiosity continue to guide you on many more exciting quests. May you have wonderful feasts! Valete et sitis felices! (Farewell and be happy!)

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