Ancient Rome!!

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Across
  1. 2. Fanbase: People of all classes loved gladiatorial fights; women even bought sweat from popular gladiators as an aphrodisiac, explains
  2. 3. Habits: Their diet was based on bread, beans, olives, and veggies; richer citizens enjoyed exotic dishes like flamingo tongue, say All That's Interesting and this YouTube video.
  3. 6. Bathing: Romans gathered at public baths for hygiene, social interaction, and exercise, with separate times for men and women, according to this YouTube video.
  4. 8. Habits: They used a communal sponge on a stick to wipe after using open-air public toilets, as noted by All That's Interesting.
  5. 10. Limitations: Togas were not everyday wear, but a sign of citizenship worn mostly by wealthy men, per TheFactSite.
  6. 11. Toothpaste: Romans used urine to whiten their teeth, say All That's Interesting.
  7. 13. Diversity: Rome was religiously diverse, with many "mystery cults," and there is no evidence Christians were thrown to lions in the Colosseum, says
  8. 15. Beliefs: Romans believed in many gods, kept household altars, and used blood from defeated gladiators for medicinal purposes, per LivTours.
Down
  1. 1. Misconception: While average life expectancy was low (~25) due to high infant mortality, those who made it to adulthood could live as long as modern people, according to HistoryExtra.
  2. 4. Diversity: Rome was religiously diverse, with many "mystery cults," and there is no evidence Christians were thrown to lions in the Colosseum, says City Wonders. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
  3. 5. Trends: Women used goat fat and beech wood ashes to dye their hair red or blonde, according to LivTours.
  4. 7. Origins: They believed their city was founded by Romulus, who killed his brother Remus, after being raised by a she-wolf, as noted by Happytowander and Caerphilly.gov.
  5. 9. Structure: Households were headed by the oldest male, who held legal authority over all family members, according to Medium.
  6. 12. Mall Users: They shopped at the first-ever shopping mall, built by Emperor Trajan, which had over 150 outlets, as noted by LivTours.
  7. 14. Dwellers: Poorer Romans lived in multi-story apartment buildings called insulae, which often lacked running water or toilets, explains this YouTube video.