 Fun facts about famous empires throughout history, part eight. Did you know the Romans were early adopters of fast food? Ancient Romans enjoyed a popular street food called thermopoliums, which were essentially ancient fast food joints. These establishments had counters with large jars, dolia containing hot and cold dishes, allowing people to grab a quick meal on the go. So in a way, Romans had their version of today's fast food culture over 2,000 years ago. Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt, was not Egyptian by blood. She was of Greek descent, a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty that descended from one of Alexander the Great's generals. Her ability to integrate into Egyptian society contributed to her popularity and political influence during her reign.