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Roman Empire Facts

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An authentic "lost weapon" is Greek fire, which the Byzantine Empire used on several occasions between the seventh and ninth centuries to defend Constantinople against attacking Muslims. Constantinople might have fallen but for Greek fire, and conceivably the Muslims might have taken over a weak and divided Europe. To this day, we don't know exactly what the "recipe" for Greek fire was. All we know is that it burned all the more fiercely when wet (hence it likely contained some sort of petrol compound), and that it could be floated toward the enemy's wooden ships. (source)

View more facts about: Weapons and Battles | Roman Empire

In 695, Leontius, the leader of a group of rebellious citizens of Constantinople, seized the emperor, Justinian II, and had Justinian's nose cut off in the belief that, being disfigured, Justinian would never again attempt to regain the throne. Three years after seizing the throne, in 698, Leontius was himself overthrown by troops under General Tiberius, who became Emperor Tiberius III, and who then cut off Leontius' nose. Seven years after that, Justinian II then retook the throne and publicly humiliated and executed both Leontius and Tiberius III. (source)

View more facts about: Royalty | Roman Empire

In the ninth century, Vikings (known as Varangians in the East) were raiding Constantinople, at the mouth of the Black Sea. These expeditions were launched from Kiev via the Dnieper River.

View more facts about: Roman Empire | Vikings

In 1014, Byzantine emperor Basil II decided to end for once and for all a war that had already lasted forty years. To break the spirit of the hated Bulgarians, he blinded all but 150 of 15,000 prisoners. The "lucky" 150 were blinded in one eye only. Every 100 blind men were guided by a one-eyed leader back to the Bulgarian capital of Ohrid, whose ruler, Samuel, had received word that his army was returning to him. Samuel hastened to meet his men—and found himself staring at thousands of helpless blind men. The sight was fatal. Samuel suffered a stroke on the spot, and died two days later. (Basil II received the title Bulgaroktonis, meaning "slayer of Bulgarians.") (source)

View more facts about: Roman Empire | Unusual Ways to Die

Perhaps the most strange annual culinary affair was hosted by Clodius, a rich Roman actor who had one hundred birds given voice lessons at a cost of approximately $250 per bird. He then had these birds made into a pie for his guests. He then offered a drink which contained a dissolved pearl worth about one-half million dollars.

View more facts about: Animals | Food and Drink | Roman Empire
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