From the legends of weird and strange gladiators to the mystery of Nero burning Rome, here are 9 Biggest Mysteries of Ancient Rome!\r
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4. Mysteries of Locusta\r
Locusta was a female legendary assassin and one of the first documented female serial killers in history. Originally being born in the province of Gaul, which is modern day France, she was ually hired by Agrippina the Younger, the mother of Nero, to poison discreetly several members of the imperial families. After spending several years of her life in the Gaul countryside, she learned quite a bit about different plants that could be lethal and even have it appear as a natural death. In order for Nero to make it to the throne, Agripp ina needed her husband Emperor Claudius out of the way. Locusta was successful after collecting poisonous mushrooms and the 16 year old Nero would then become the new Emperor. Its believed that this female assassin then went on to complete missions for Nero himself and she would swiftly remove anyone who opposed Nero and his rule. Some believe that Locusta became thrilled with her toxic price and began just poisoning for fun or to people she just personally didnt like. Once Neros rule was over, his successor, Emperor Galba, sentenced her to capital punishment and didnt really want someone who was so sly with poison around him. The ex number of victims Locusta is responsible for still remains a mystery, especially since she was was so skilled in making someones demise seem natural.\r
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3. Female Gladiators\r
Gladiators certainly played a big role in Roman entertainment in all corners of the empire but was it only men who fought these battles? Or did women participate in the bloodshed as well? Archeologists in new discovered the remains of a massive, muscular, amazonian-type woman who could have possibly been used as a gladiator in the occupied part of Britain. She was buried in an elaborate, wooden coffin nearby the town of Kenchester, which leads them to believe she was indeed a gladiator. When they further examined her skeleton, they determined from the muscle attachments that she would have been quite intimidating. Imaging being in the arena with a legendary female gladiator, more muscular than yourself. This statue here was found two years later and depicts a topless female gladiator in a victory pose, which could be some evidence to these claims. This discovery has helped historians learn more about Roman occupation in Britain and about the gladiators who fought her. This would have been a pretty big deal if she was indeed a gladiator she would have received some Ronda Rousey type status for her dedication and training.\r
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1.The Fall of the Roman Empire\r
So we all know the story, Atilla the Hun and barbarians swoop into Rome, the most technologically advanced nation at that time and get defeated by hordes of guys who need showers on horseback. Rome was too focused on orgies, wine and assassinating each other to figure out how to repel a massive invasion right? Its one of the most dramatic stories in history but there have been other fors to blame that we havent looked into? Instead of the empire completely falling, it broke into western and eastern rome but the west would quickly break off into different pieces and the east would stay strong. Scientists and especially geologists are beginning to explore the possibility that volcanos played a bigger role in bringing down the empire than we once thought. Italy is certainly chock full of volcanos getting ready to go off at any moment and we saw what mount vesuvius was capable of doing. The ash and soot from the volcanoes could have certainly destroyed a large amount of crops that would have essentially crippled the roman army. The huns could have certainly swooped in during a time when rome was already devastated and plundered the capital with ease, if this was the case. Historians in 536 AD recorded how the sky essentially turned black from thick dust which blocked out the sun. Anyways its a new theory thats being investigated and it could shed some light on the collapse of the roman empire.
