This special area was an observation point. An augur priest (seer) would designate one quarter of the sky and study the pattern of birds. By assessing their behavior, he could interpret the will of their gods.

Campania is a region of southern Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Inhabited in ancient times by Italic tribes, Greek colonists, Etruscans, and Samnites. It was conquered by Rome in the fourth century B.C., and at the time, Campania referred to the area surrounding Naples.

The strigil, a type of shaving blade, was scraped over the gladiator's body so that his sweat could be collected. It was often mixed with the fat of fighting arena animals, creating a mixture called strigmentum. This concoction was sold in souvenir pots outside of the stadium. In addition to being a complexion aide, it was also considered an aphrodisiac. (See First Century Life: Cosmetae)

Sarpa salpa, a species of sea bream, is known in the Arabic world as “the fish that makes dreams". Claimed to be an hallucinogenic, it is a widely distributed coastal fish found in the Mediterranean. Consuming their heads can induce LSD-like hallucinations.

Ancient Romans believed that the bird-mating season began on February 14th.

The sayings of Christ as are also referred to as the Last Seven Words From the Cross: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do; Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise; Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother; My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?; I thirst.; It is finished.; Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit."

Typically, the chariot driver wrapped and tied the horse's reins to one arm. Knowing he would be trapped if his cart tipped over, he carried along a knife so that he could free himself. There were situations when this was not possible, and the charioteer was dragged to death. Men were regularly employed to clear the track of bodies and wreckage.

Pliny, Seneca, and Suetonius testify that ancient Romans trained elephants to walk tightropes. During the reign of Emperor Galba (A.D. 68-69), an elephant ascended a tightrope to the top of the circus roof, then descended back down. The entire time there was a man riding on its back.

The length of a standard race was about 8 kilometers, and probably took less than 15-minutes to complete. Typically, 10 to 12 races were held a day.

After examining bones from a second century gladiator cemetery in Ephesus, it was determined that the men were mainly vegetarians. During periods of strength training, gladiators consumed a great deal of spelt, barley, oats, beans, lentils, vegetables, dried fruit, and a drink made from vinegar and plant ash. Their average consumption of spelt was 522-pounds per year (237 kilograms). This ancient grain was more digestible than modern wheat as its gluten is more water soluble. Spelt, also known as Dinkle Wheat, is still grown worldwide.