EROTIC ROMANS
In the Classical world sex was nothing more than a pleasurable experience and due to the Gods they worshiped, the idea of sin was non-existent as was Christianity. In fact the Penis or Phallus was seen as a symbol of the rejuvenate power and force of nature. There was such a large amount of erotic frescoes and artifacts that in 1599 when the digging of an underground tunnel, diverting the river Sarno hit an ancient wall displaying an erotic scene, the image was plastered over by Dominico Fontana. (the archaeologist excavating) He unearthed the artifacts but refused to let them be seen as an act of censorship in such a conservative period of time. The imagery that is constantly displayed depicts a world that enjoyed their sexuality and did not discourage the act of sex. Pompeii was once full of symbols of the Phallus and other erotic imagery as the people of Pompeii and Herculaneum thrived off their sexual encounters. The preserved art and sculpture of Pompeii demonstrates the behaviors and experiences of the civilians occupying Pompeii at the time of its destruction.
The image on the left is of a Tintinnabulum which is a wind chime that was used to ward off the evil eye and bring prosperity and good fortune upon the home. The Phallus is a symbol of the forces of nature and fertility and because of its consistent appearance we are able to assume that the people of Ancient Rome were familiar and comfortable with the male genitals. This supports the idea that they were a lot more accepting of the their sexuality and promiscuity than the modern world. The constant use of such erotic imagery depicts that sex and sexual symbols were an accepted part of society and were appreciated by the citizens. Children were obviously exposed to these erotic illustrations as a large number of them were found including in public baths. Numerous sexual acts that were carried out would be today discouraged and in some countries and religions illegal. This includes the act of male sexual partners, group sex, bestiality and irrumatio (the act of forcing felatio.)
If Mt Vesuvius had not erupted and preserved this city then it is likely that as the Romans developed and as Christianity flourished these erotic images and symbols would have been destroyed and disappeared preventing modern society from understanding the way in which the Romans looked at sex and how it was treated. The idea of sex has changed dramatically however we would not understand this if we had not discovered the erotic imagery that give us insight into the way in which they behaved sexually and celebrated sex. It could possibly have left us in a conservative time period and prevented modern society from appreciating sexuality.
If Mt Vesuvius had not erupted and preserved this city then it is likely that as the Romans developed and as Christianity flourished these erotic images and symbols would have been destroyed and disappeared preventing modern society from understanding the way in which the Romans looked at sex and how it was treated. The idea of sex has changed dramatically however we would not understand this if we had not discovered the erotic imagery that give us insight into the way in which they behaved sexually and celebrated sex. It could possibly have left us in a conservative time period and prevented modern society from appreciating sexuality.
Priapus Weighing His Phallus is a famous mural discovered at the entrance of The House of Vetti in Pompeii and is said to have been created between 65-79 AD during the Imperial Roman period. Priapus was a god if minor importance but specialised in fertility, livestock, gardens, fruit and male genitals. Pripaus was continuously depicted with an erect penis and was often associated with signs bearing sexual assault threats towards transgressions of the owners property. The incredibly sharp and disturbing quotes were supposedly common which portrays the ancient roman culture as a much more liberal culture than today's society.
Phallus's were not seen as pornographic as our modern society may but instead the "Fascinum" as it was referred to was seen as a charm of good luck and could be found worn around the neck as it was said to ward off the evil. An example of this good luck charm is HICHABITAT FELICTAS seen below which translated means "Happiness dwells here."
This shows us that the penis was not a pornographic image and that it was a symbol of luck and fertility. This allows us to understand that Christianity developed the conservation's that censor sexuality today.
This uniquely contributes to our knowledge of the phallus being a common symbol portrayed in Roman times and if the eruption had not preserved these frescoes then the Christians would possibly have had them hidden or destroyed and we would be unsure of their thoughts and feelings on sexual representation. If the eruption had not occured this image would have been hidden or destroyed leaving us questioning the opinions of the Romans on Sexuality and sexual symbols. We would also understand less about what they believed in and what it was they worshiped in particular and where it was that their ideas and beliefs originated from.
Phallus's were not seen as pornographic as our modern society may but instead the "Fascinum" as it was referred to was seen as a charm of good luck and could be found worn around the neck as it was said to ward off the evil. An example of this good luck charm is HICHABITAT FELICTAS seen below which translated means "Happiness dwells here."
This shows us that the penis was not a pornographic image and that it was a symbol of luck and fertility. This allows us to understand that Christianity developed the conservation's that censor sexuality today.
This uniquely contributes to our knowledge of the phallus being a common symbol portrayed in Roman times and if the eruption had not preserved these frescoes then the Christians would possibly have had them hidden or destroyed and we would be unsure of their thoughts and feelings on sexual representation. If the eruption had not occured this image would have been hidden or destroyed leaving us questioning the opinions of the Romans on Sexuality and sexual symbols. We would also understand less about what they believed in and what it was they worshiped in particular and where it was that their ideas and beliefs originated from.
During Excavations a number of Brothels were discovered including Laupanare which consisted f 10 small rooms, erotic frescoes, sexual graffiti and brick base beds with stone pillows. A number of erotic images were discovered on the walls however it is unclear whether each image depicts the sexual act that is performed or if they are there as a form of pornography to heighten pleasure. "I make oral love to women and even take on virgins." is one of the many sexual quotations that is expected to have described the sexual act that was carried out inside the room. These brothels were almost advertised as the Basillica displayed an inscription stating "If anyone is looking for some tender love in this town, keep in mind that here all the girls are very friendly." This informs us that prostitution was not looked down upon as an immoral act but was promoted to the public and tourists. From other inscriptions found we can assume the prices of the prostitutes as they were quite clearly stated "The house slave Logas 8 AS"
This adds to our knowledge of Roman life as we become aware that they participated in the oldest trade in history and were not ashamed of this leisurely activity. The excavations of Brothels reflect the ambivalent behaviors and attitudes toward the pleasure of sex and indicate that prostitution was not only legal but the state could possibly have owned the brothels themselves. "Here i fucked many girls" (D202 CIL IV 2175), "15 June, Hermeros fucked here with Phileterus and Caphiisus" (D102 CIL IV 2192) and another 132 graffiti inscriptions found on the walls of Laupanare are used to identify this area as a major brothel.
Any home that contained any sexual image or erotic symbol was deemed inappropriate and was locked away during the conservative period therefore almost the entire building would have been destroyed as frescoes would have been torn from the walls and the graffiti would have been covered. This means that with out the eruption we would be unaware of how the Romans felt about sex and how they enjoyed the pleasure of sex to such an extent that it was actually a business. This particular brothel gives us a unique perspective of the daily activities of the Romans and also shows us that prostitution was a form of income for some woman.
This adds to our knowledge of Roman life as we become aware that they participated in the oldest trade in history and were not ashamed of this leisurely activity. The excavations of Brothels reflect the ambivalent behaviors and attitudes toward the pleasure of sex and indicate that prostitution was not only legal but the state could possibly have owned the brothels themselves. "Here i fucked many girls" (D202 CIL IV 2175), "15 June, Hermeros fucked here with Phileterus and Caphiisus" (D102 CIL IV 2192) and another 132 graffiti inscriptions found on the walls of Laupanare are used to identify this area as a major brothel.
Any home that contained any sexual image or erotic symbol was deemed inappropriate and was locked away during the conservative period therefore almost the entire building would have been destroyed as frescoes would have been torn from the walls and the graffiti would have been covered. This means that with out the eruption we would be unaware of how the Romans felt about sex and how they enjoyed the pleasure of sex to such an extent that it was actually a business. This particular brothel gives us a unique perspective of the daily activities of the Romans and also shows us that prostitution was a form of income for some woman.
