Pompeii
Roman Life
Frescoes
Pompeii Frescoes Paquius Proculus with his wife, National Museum of Naples The Three Graces
Pompeii Frescoes Initiation Rites of the Cult of Bacchus, from the Villa of Mysteries
Pompeii Frescoes
Pompeii Frescoes Peaches and Glass Jar, wall painting from Herculeneum, size: NA, c. 50 A.D. (National Museum, Naples):
Mosaics
Pompeii Mosaic Entrance of the House of the Tragic Poet In Latin cave canem “Beware of dog”
Battle of Alexander and the Persians (a. k. a Battle of Alexander and the Persians (a.k.a. The Battle of Issus), mosaic from the House of the Faun, Pompeii, copy, 8'11" x 16'9.5", 1st cent. B.C. (National Museum, Naples):
Mosaics
Erotic Art
Mural of Venus – House of Venus, Pompeii So why so much sex in ancient Pompeii? This has been discussed and debated since the ruins' discovery, and the answers are varied and sometimes conflicting. One factor could be that in Pompeii, as in much of the ancient world, men were the ones in charge. It was acceptable for a woman to own a business if her husband or father had left it to her upon his death, she could distribute political material, or be a prostitute. Therefore, the argument goes, men left to their own devices turned their homes and surroundings into teeming dens of iniquity... the problem with this theory is that it runs counter to the pure joy found in many of these images, and to the very everyday acceptability they seem to have had. We know that in Pompeii, sex was less inhibited than it is today in most countries. There were fewer prohibitions and less denial of the sexual aspect of human nature. The motto, written on one of the walls, seems to have been "enjoy life while you have it - for tomorrow is uncertain" and this in no uncertain terms included immersing oneself in the physical joys of life. Sex ranked as a great way to enjoy oneself and others, and while the stereotypical Roman orgies were most likely not part of daily life, certainly sex was acceptable, practiced, and celebrated.
Brothel
Mosaic Satyr & Nymph, House of the Faun
Wall Painting of Priapus, House of the Vetti The erotic images of Pompeii have, since its rediscovery, caused both outrage and appreciation. A few examples can still be seen in the city - the most notable being the almost life-sized fresco in a doorway into the House of the Vettii. A male figure - the god Priapus - holds a set of scales that weighs his phallus while he looks outward, brazenly meeting the eyes of all who pass by.
Pompeii
Victims of Vesuvius 79 CE Daily Life Video is 3:37.