11 of the strangest superstitions from Ancient Rome

The ancient Romans often allowed religious observances to dictate the rhythms of daily life.

One such belief was the avoidance of the month of May for weddings. At first glance, May, with its blooming flowers and pleasant weather, might seem an ideal time for nuptials.

However, for the Romans, the month carried a somber undertone. May was dedicated to the dead and was host to the festival of Lemuria, a time when malevolent spirits of the deceased were believed to roam the earth.

During Lemuria, the head of the household would engage in rituals to appease these restless spirits, ensuring they did not bring harm to the living.

Given this association with the dead, May was deemed an inauspicious time for starting new chapters in life, especially something as significant as marriage.

The Romans believed that marrying during this month would bring bad luck and misfortune to the union.

Instead, they favored June for weddings, attributing this preference to Juno, the goddess of marriage and childbirth.

This belief was so deeply ingrained in Roman culture that even those who weren't particularly superstitious would avoid May weddings. 

The ancient Romans, in their quest to understand and influence the world around them, often turned to rituals that might seem peculiar to modern observers.

One such ritual involved the act of throwing beans over one's shoulder during the festival of Lemuria. 

This was to appease the restless spirits of the dead, particularly those who had not received proper burial rites or had met untimely ends.

Beans, in Roman belief, held a special significance. They were thought to represent the souls of the deceased, and by throwing them over the shoulder, the living could symbolically feed or distract the wandering spirits, ensuring they did not enter the household or bring misfortune.

The head of the household would typically perform this ritual, walking barefoot through the home at night, casting black beans behind him without looking back.

As he did so, he would chant, "I send these; with these beans, I redeem me and mine."

The idea was that the spirits would collect the beans and, in doing so, be pacified, leaving the household in peace.

The ancient Romans held a profound respect for the natural world, believing it to be a conduit through which the gods communicated their will.

Among the many signs they observed, the behavior of birds held a special significance.

This practice, known as augury, involved interpreting the will of the gods by studying the flight patterns, songs, and general behavior of birds.

Augurs, specialized priests in Roman society, were tasked with this divine interpretation.

A bird's flight to the right was typically seen as a favorable omen, while a flight to the left was considered inauspicious.

The type of bird also mattered; for instance, eagles and vultures were associated with grand omens due to their majestic nature, while crows and owls often bore more ominous messages.

Certain ceremonies and decisions would not proceed without first consulting the birds.

Before battles, political endeavors, or significant events, augurs would be called upon to read the signs and provide guidance.

Their interpretations could sway the decisions of generals, senators, and even emperors. 

To the Romans, a sneeze was not just a simple expulsion of air but a potential sign from the gods, laden with meaning.

Depending on the context, a sneeze could be interpreted as an omen, either good or bad.

Direction played a crucial role in this interpretation. A sneeze to the right was considered favorable, a possible indication of approval or positive reinforcement from the gods.

Conversely, a sneeze to the left was viewed with suspicion and was often taken as a warning or a sign of impending misfortune.

When someone sneezed, it was customary for those nearby to offer a blessing, typically with the word "Salve!", which translates to "Be in good health!"

This practice bears a striking resemblance to the modern-day custom of saying "Bless you!" after someone sneezes.

Such a response was more than just a polite gesture; it was a way to counteract any potential negative forces that the sneeze might have unleashed.

In the bustling streets and grand villas of ancient Rome, doorways were more than just architectural features; they were thresholds to the spiritual realm.

The Romans believed that each home was protected by spirits known as "Lares."

These benevolent entities were thought to safeguard the household and its inhabitants from harm, ensuring prosperity and warding off malevolent forces.

Often depicted as young men holding a horn of plenty or a drinking cup, the Lares were honored with small shrines or altars, typically positioned at the heart of the Roman home.

The act of entering or leaving a house was imbued with ritual significance due to the presence of these spirits.

It was customary for Romans to touch the doorpost and offer a brief prayer or gesture of respect.

This act was more than just a nod to tradition; it was a genuine acknowledgment of the protective role the Lares played in daily life.

By honoring them, the Romans believed they maintained a harmonious relationship with these spirits, ensuring their continued favor and protection.

Travel in ancient Rome, whether for trade, diplomacy, or personal reasons, was a significant undertaking.

The vast expanse of the Roman Empire, coupled with the unpredictability of ancient roads and the potential dangers of long journeys, made travel a serious endeavor.

Recognizing the challenges and uncertainties of travel, the Romans developed rituals to seek protection and favor from the gods.

One such custom was the act of sitting down briefly before embarking on a journey.

By pausing and sitting, travelers took a moment to reflect, gather their thoughts, and perhaps offer a silent prayer for safety and success.

This ritual was a way to mentally prepare for the journey ahead, grounding oneself in the present before stepping into the unknown.

It was also a gesture of humility, acknowledging the unpredictability of travel and the need for divine guidance.

The Romans had a palpable reverence for the dead. This respect was not just limited to grand mausoleums or elaborate funeral rites but extended to the very act of speaking about the departed.

During certain festivals, particularly the Lemuria, it became taboo to utter the names of the deceased.

This avoidance was rooted in the belief that naming the dead could attract their attention, potentially drawing restless or malevolent spirits closer to the living.

The Lemuria was a time when the boundary between the world of the living and the dead was believed to be especially porous.

By refraining from naming the departed, the Romans aimed to avoid any unwanted spiritual encounters.

The Romans believed that the souls of the departed, especially those who had met untimely or tragic ends, might still roam the earth, seeking closure or retribution.

This custom offers a window into the Roman psyche and their intricate relationship with death.

While they celebrated the memories and achievements of the departed, they also recognized the potential dangers of drawing too close to the world beyond.

By not naming the dead during specific times, they sought to maintain a respectful distance, ensuring that the spirits remained at peace and the living remained protected from any unforeseen spiritual disturbances. 

The nocturnal call of the owl, echoing through the stillness of the night, has long been a source of fascination and fear in various cultures.

For the ancient Romans, the owl was a harbinger of doom. The hoot of an owl was believed to foretell death or disaster, making it one of the most dreaded sounds in the Roman world.

This belief was so deeply ingrained that the mere sighting of an owl within the city's boundaries was cause for alarm.

Owls, with their piercing eyes and silent flight, were seen as creatures with access to hidden knowledge and secrets.

Their association with the night, a time when the veil between the living and the dead was believed to be thin, further cemented their reputation as messengers of the underworld.

When an owl was spotted in the city, it wasn't merely dismissed as an unfortunate omen.

Instead, the Romans took proactive measures. The bird would often be captured and subjected to a purification ritual, aimed at averting the impending doom it symbolized.

Whistling, a seemingly innocent and joyful expression, took on a different connotation within the walls of a Roman home.

The act of whistling indoors was viewed with suspicion and caution. The Romans believed that such a sound could invite malevolent spirits or negative energies into the home.

For a culture that placed immense importance on the sanctity and protection of the household, any action that might jeopardize its safety was approached with trepidation.

The origins of this belief are not entirely clear, but it's possible that the piercing nature of a whistle was thought to resemble certain calls or sounds associated with ill omens or spirits.

By avoiding whistling indoors, the Romans aimed to maintain the purity and sanctity of their living spaces, ensuring they remained free from any potential spiritual disturbances.

The ancient Romans held a peculiar aversion to even hundreds. This superstition permeated various aspects of their society, most notably in military and strategic decisions.

For instance, when assembling an army, Roman generals would intentionally avoid mustering troops in even hundreds.

Instead of sending out a legion of precisely 4,000 or 6,000 soldiers, they would adjust the numbers slightly, either adding or subtracting a few men.

The origins of this belief are somewhat murky, but it's clear that the Romans, like many ancient cultures, sought patterns and meanings in numbers as a way to interpret the will of the gods and the forces of fate.

They believed that adhering to these numerical preferences could influence outcomes, be it in battle, politics, or daily life. 

In ancient Rome, there were an array of amulets and talismans. One of the most popular was the phallus charm.

To the modern observer, the widespread use of this symbol might seem provocative or even comical, but for the Romans, it held deep significance.

The phallus, a symbol of fertility and virility, was revered as a powerful amulet capable of warding off the evil eye and attracting good fortune.

These charms, often made of bronze, bone, or terracotta, were commonly hung in doorways, worn as jewelry, or even fashioned into wind chimes.

Their presence was believed to offer protection to the household or individual, ensuring prosperity and keeping malevolent forces at bay.

Beyond its protective qualities, the phallus charm also celebrated life, fertility, and abundance, embodying the Romans' appreciation for the generative forces of nature.