Ancient Roman Curse Tablets: The Underworld’s 1‑Star Review

Added: 2026-05-19

[00:00:00]Did you know ancient Romans didn't just complain about enemies?

[00:00:04]They sometimes wrote curse tablets that terrified citizens.

[00:00:09]These were thin sheets of lead where someone scratched a name and a request for justice like, "Return what you stole." Or, "Stop ruining my business."

[00:00:22]Then they'd fold the tablet tight, sometimes nail it shut, and drop it into places thought to reach the gods or spirits, wells, graves, even temples.

[00:00:32]What's wild is how everyday they were.

[00:00:35]Stolen cloaks, cheating rivals, bad landlords.

[00:00:40]It's like the ancient version of leaving a one-star review, but meant for the underworld.

[00:00:47]Archaeologists have found hundreds across the Roman world, and many read like personal drama preserved for 2,000 years.

[00:00:56]If you lived back then, would you write one?

[00:00:59]Or be afraid someone wrote one about you?