History is replete with a variety of facts - some of them contradict the others, some eventually turn out to be false, while others are firmly established and passed on from generation to generation ...
Sometimes it’s better not to know about some historical facts - after reading about terrifying events, it can be hard to fall asleep.
Fortunately, now we live in a more or less calm world in which we can always get access to a doctor or security by contacting law enforcement agencies, but our ancestors did not live, but survived ...
If you think that “it used to be better”, you are mistaken, it was better to live only for the rich, however, as at any time. But ordinary people, who are the majority, had a very difficult time ... We will tell you about this.
10. The neglected toilet
Everyone is in need. It is wonderful when the lowest need can be satisfied in acceptable conditions, however, in ancient Rome, the toilet was made of stones with holes that led to the city's sewers.
The connection to the sewer opening meant that some creature living in the sewer could bite a person. In addition, a neglected toilet - also meant that the constant accumulation of methane (gas associated with living organisms) led to the explosion of toilets.
Interesting fact: so as not to die while visiting the toilet, the Romans put on the walls the silhouette of Fortune (the goddess of fortune), as well as conspiracies that “help” scare away evil spirits.
9. Problem skin
Nowadays, you can somehow deal with problem skin - for this there are various cosmetics, beauty salons, in which cosmetologists help you choose the right remedy.
But earlier, for example, skin disease psoriasis or acne on the face was perceived as a sign of a terrible disease, and therefore the “patient” was sent to a leper colony, along with leprosy patients.
If they remained to live among “ordinary” citizens, they were forced to walk in different clothes and have a bell with them, warning people about the approach of a “sick” person. They shied away from him like from a plague.
8. Costly education
In ancient Athens, newborn girls had little chance of surviving, even if they were born into a wealthy family. The babies were taken to the wild forests and left them there for death. This was due to costly upbringing - parents did not have the opportunity to raise their daughters, so they preferred to get rid of the heavy burden.
Even in Ancient Egypt, which can be considered more tolerant of women than other countries in the Middle Ages, such inhuman situations were practiced.
7. Common violence
Fortunately, in our time, a woman herself can decide who she wants to have sex with and who she doesn’t, and whether she wants it at all. However, before slaves in ancient Rome had negligible rights, so women were constantly subjected to sexual violence.
During the numerous wars of women and men who were captured, they began to buy nymphomaniacs from the upper classes at auctions in order to use them for their carnal pleasures.
In addition, actresses and waitresses could not accuse the man of rape, regardless of what happened to her.
Curious fact: St. Augustine suggested that women secretly enjoy rape, for which he was recognized as a progressive mind.
6. Being in the hospital
In America in the 1880s, hospitals were terrifying. Patients were in inhuman conditions: the chambers were dirty, parasites lived in them, and no one watched their removal. In addition, patients could be left without food and hygiene because they were simply forgotten.
The incompetence of nurses was a big problem because most of them weren’t even actually nurses. Women got jobs without education, because in the newspapers it was stated: “Medical staff without work experience is required.”
5. Public execution
Nowadays, everything is quite acceptable - convicts are imprisoned, and a person who wants to "see" can watch a horror movie or play a bloody computer game.
However, there were no such entertainments before, and people who wanted to get strong emotions came to see the execution - this was considered a pleasant pastime, which can be compared to watching a horror movie.
At the executions, they not only hung, but also burned alive, quartered, tortured. For example, one of the popular executions was that the victim was tied to four horses for limbs, and then the animals were allowed to jump. What happened next? It’s easy to guess - a painful death ...
4. Stench in London
Imagine that in our time people would not think about hiding their physiological needs from others: they would spit in a clean room, go to the toilet in front of everyone, pick their nose ... It would be at least strange and unpleasant, however in England in the 18th century, such inappropriate behavior was considered the norm.
Most people used the phrase "personal hygiene" only as a beautiful expression, without going into its meaning. Previously, guests could come to their comrades and eat food taken from the table with their hands, even bowel movements in front of everyone did not bother anyone ... Such is the life of people in the 18th century.
3. Cat hides
Medieval people would be surprised to see that in our time cats are pets, which they consider members of their family, because 1000 years ago they were torn off their skins for sale. This happened in the Spanish village of El Bordella, cats were in the pits as a crop.
Traces of bones that were discovered during the study became the proof of the stripping of cats - the skins were torn off using special tools. The same thing was practiced in Northern Europe.
Interesting fact: Researchers suggest that in El Bordell the skin was torn for the purpose of religious ritual, because in the pit along with cat's remains were found: a goat's horn, a horse's skull, a chicken's egg ... All these items are used for magical rites.
2. Dead mice
The ancient Egyptians treated toothache in a rather sophisticated way - they applied a dead mouse to their teeth. They believed that in this way the pain would pass, in addition, sometimes mashed potatoes were made from the mouse, mixed with other ingredients, after which the poultice was applied to the place that caused discomfort.
In addition, the ancient Romans bleached their teeth with urine. It contains ammonia, and it whitens teeth.
Interesting fact: in ancient Rome, they took care of the oral cavity, so the Egyptians rinsed their mouth with goat milk to keep their breath fresh, and even rinsed their mouth with tortoise blood 3 times a year.
1. Early marriage
In the Middle Ages, a bride of 12 years did not surprise anyone, but husbands were searched for them much earlier. By the age of 9, husbands for girls had already been selected. This seems savage to the people of our time, but there was nothing reprehensible in the way it was, because the average life span was 30 years.
The girl had to have time to give birth to offspring, and try not to die ahead of time - not everyone did it ... Of course, when marrying, there was no talk of any love.