How much do you really know about Ancient Rome?

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Stephanie H. Smith |

TED-Ed

• June 2025

Minerva, the esteemed Roman goddess of reason, wisdom, handicrafts, and war, is judging a contest: duo vera et mendacium. Three brave contestants will put their knowledge about ancient Rome to the test. How much of what they know about the time period is actually true? And which contestant will come out on top? Stephanie Honchell Smith debunks four common misconceptions about Ancient Rome. [Directed by Raghav Arumugam, narrated by Alexandra Panzer, music by Jarrett Farkas].