Things people get wrong about ancient Rome

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

Ancient Rome’s allure is undeniable. This archaic period of time has captivated many a person, through Hollywood epics, immersive video games, and countless books. Ever since the Roman Empire was established in 31 BCE, its stories of power, conquest, and culture have rippled across the centuries and shaped our collective imagination. Yet much of what we think we know may actually be rooted more in myth than reality.

The Rome we picture, complete with brutal, life-or-death arena matches and larger-than-life tales of decadence, often blurs the line between historical fact and fiction. So, which parts of this ancient city’s life were actually false? Click through the following gallery to see the truth behind 15 myths.

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

Hollywood dramas have altered people’s understanding of how gladiators fought, and the stereotype is that they dueled to the death. In reality, only one in five of these bloody showdowns ended fatally. Gladiators were valuable investments for lanistas, the managers who trained and owned them, and a dead fighter represented a financial blow.

Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

The belief that Romans binge-ate, then rushed to a designated room to vomit and feast anew, is entirely off the mark. Vomitoria were indeed real, but they were actually architectural innovations in theaters and amphitheaters, designed for efficient crowd movement.

Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

When people picture ancient Rome, they often imagine white marble statues that are pristinely pale, but this is far from the reality of the time. Roman statues were actually vibrantly painted and were once alive with color, depicting lifelike skin tones, eye-catching garments, and even detailed facial hair.

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

Over the centuries, the paint on Roman statues eroded, leaving behind the plain stone figures we know today. The misconception of their intentional whiteness has persisted, erasing the lively, colorful aesthetics that once brought ancient Roman art to life.

Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

The enduring tale of Emperor Nero heartlessly playing the fiddle (or the harp) as flames engulfed Rome in 64 CE is more legend than fact. This dramatic image is undermined by several historical inaccuracies: not only were the main accounts written long after the event, but fiddles weren’t even invented until the Middle Ages.

Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

While Roman society was undeniably patriarchal, women weren’t confined to domestic isolation. Many found ways to exert power and autonomy. Wealthy women (like Julia Felix of Pompeii) owned properties and ran businesses, while elite women in political families influenced decision-making at the highest levels.

Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

Contrary to the idea of a homogenous empire, Rome was a melting pot of languages, ethnicities, and cultures. The vast empire stretched across three continents, and brought together people from modern-day England to North Africa.

Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

The Colosseum, iconic as it is, wasn’t the primary site for the brutal martyrdoms that early Christians endured. While tales of mass executions there became popular in the 5th century, there’s no solid evidence to back them up.

Myth #9: Romans always wore togas

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

Despite being a cultural symbol of ancient Rome, togas were not everyday attire. Originally worn by both genders for practical purposes, togas became reserved for men and evolved into a formal garment symbolizing status.

Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

On March 15 in the year 44 BCE, Julius Caesar was brutally murdered by a group of conspirators, one of whom was Marcus Junius Brutus, the son of Caesar’s mistress. Many believe that the dictator uttered the phrase “Et tu, Brute?” (“And you, Brutus?”) but this is a common misconception.

Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

While many gladiators were enslaved or condemned prisoners, there were some freeborn men (and even women) who chose this life, drawn by the promise of fame and fortune. Successful gladiators enjoyed celebrity status, with some amassing wealth through prize money.

Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

The dramatic film sequence in ‘Ben-Hur’ (1959) that features a group of slaves forced to row a Roman galley ship would never have actually happened in real life. Roman galleys were not manned by slaves but by skilled, paid freemen. These rowers were well-trained professionals, chosen for their reliability and expertise, which was crucial during naval warfare.

Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

The story of Emperor Caligula appointing his horse, Incitatus, as a Roman consul is more myth than fact. Suetonius, a Roman historian, wrote sensational stories about Caligula’s excesses, including claims of extravagant treatment for his horse, such as a marble stable and servants.

Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

Conventionally, people believe that Rome adopted the Greek gods and simply gave them new names. Roman religion was a blend of native beliefs and Greek influence, but it wasn’t a simple case of rebranding Greek gods. As Romans encountered Greek culture, they began to equate their deities with Greek ones, reshaping myths and merging traditions.

Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

Myth #1: Gladiators fought to the death, Myth #2: Vomitoriums were used for indulgent purging, Myth #3: Ancient Roman statues were white, Myth #4: Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, Myth #5: Roman women were confined to the home, Myth #6: Everyone looked and spoke the same, Myth #7: Christian martyrs were only slain in the Colosseum, Myth #9: Romans always wore togas, Myth #10: Julius Caesar’s last words were “Et tu, Brute?”, Myth #11: All gladiators were slaves, prisoners, and men, Myth #12: Slaves rowed Roman war vessels, Myth #13: Caligula’s horse was a government official, Myth #14: Roman gods were just Greek imports, Myth #15: The “Nazi salute” was invented in Rome

The so-called "Roman salute," famously adopted by Nazi Germany and Italian Fascists, was likely never used in ancient Rome. Contrary to the widespread myth that ties the gesture to Roman tradition, there is no historical evidence to support this connection.

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