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.