Sexuality in Ancient Rome
Throughout the Ancient Roman Empire, society was patriarchal and masculinity was based on a the ability for self governance in not only war and politics but also in sexual relations. The term virtue describes the active masculine ideal, a mans self discipline. Women were supposed to uphold the idea of pudicitia, which is a upholding of chastity and modesty-supposedly was positive and demonstrated their attractiveness and self control. In majority, women were held to stricter moral codes. However it was socially acceptable for freeborn men to engage in extramarital sex as long as they exercise moderation, fulfilled the dominant role and confined their activities to prostitutes, slaves and 'kept women'. Musonius- Roman Stoic philosopher first century- criticized the double standard that men were held to different moral codes to women when it came to sex. He suggested that if men were to exercise control over women , they should exercise control over themselves and that sex were to be an expression of affection or a means of procreation, not just pleasure. Roman religion promoted sexuality as an aspect of prosperity for the state. It was considered natural and unremarkable for a man to be attracted to both sexes, ideas of heterosexuality and homosexuality didn't exist. Despite a seemingly more accepting attitude towards sex, hyper-sexuality condemned morally and medically.
The Lupanar of Pompeii
The Lupanar (literal translation, den of
she-wolves) of Pompeii is the largest and most famous brothel excavated from
Pompeii ruins. It is especially known for its erotic wall paintings.
As Pompeii was a trading town, this brothel would have
been especially popular. The brothel is located two blocks east from
the forum. Brothels during this period were particularly small with only few
rooms, this is largest with ten rooms. Five of these were found on the
ground floor, while the larger rooms were situated on the first floor which
could be reached by an independent entrance and a wooden staircase. Rooms
contained a stone base with a mattress on top for the prostitute to entertain
their guests and were plainly decorated. There are over 120 examples of
explicit graffiti etched into the stone walls, expressing the services
performed on the client and the prostitutes response. For example: Hic
ego puellas multas futui ("Here I fucked many girls"). Felix bene futuis ("Lucky guy, you fuck well.") This was critical criteria which placed this building as a brothel. Erotic frescos covered the walls depicting sexual acts-it is believed to have served the purpose of a 'menu' so that clients were able to 'pick' what they wished for. Sex was generally cheaper in Pompeii compared to the rest of the empire. Generally, the wealthy didn't visit the brothels as they could afford to keep slaves to do what they wished and could have 'kept women'. Phalluses engraved on the basalt road surface or on stones set into the facades of houses gave visitors clear indications on how to reach the brothel.
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Erotic Art
Erotic depictions have been created by nearly every
civilization, ancient and modern. There are numerous sexually explicit artworks
that have been excavated from the ruins of Pompeii, however their context
reveals their purpose and meaning. Early Pompeian excavators that were
under the influence of a time where modesty was strict and classified
any with erotic depictions as a brothel. The erotic art found in
brothels, tend to be of advertising of sexual services. (Depicted left)
There are also theories where it also acts to please the client. Sexual
acts that were taboo, tended to be depicted in baths, in a comic sense. Romans
considered depictions of sex to be good taste as it reflected sexual mores and
practices in religion and culture.
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Wall Painting of Priapus: House of the Vetti |
Fresco of a Satyr and Maenad: House of Caecilius Jucundus
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This wall painting depicts the god Priapus, the god of fertility. This painting is located in the entrance of the House of the Vetti. He is depicted weighing his penis against gold. 'Fruits of the world' also feature in painting. He is depicted wearing a raised blue and yellow robe and a Phrygian cap. The importance of the phallic symbol in the society of the time. In the Ancient Roman times, the phallus symbolised protection and good luck, so in this sense, the placement of the painting is to hope for protection and good fortune for the Vetti brothers.
(Left) |
This fresco depicts a satyr and maenad. The satyr has his hand on the maenads breast in an intimate embrace. The maenad is adorned in gold which the satyr wears what resembles a laurel wreath. Bacchus is the god of agriculture and wine. So his female followers-maenads-were depicted as erratic, drunk and raving. His male followers were hooved men-satyrs-that loved wine and women. Depicted as strongly built, they are said to be undermining of the authority of social and personal criticisms. The piece calls to themes which show an enjoyment for life's pleasures.
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Significance and Conclusions
In Pompeii, as well as other reaches of the empire, sex played major roles of the daily lives of the people. Sex was an enjoyable activity and prostitution was particularly rife. There are 35 known brothels in Pompeii alone, the same number of bakeries found. This shows that brothels played an important economic role. Pompeii often had visitors and an oscillating population between eight-twelve thousand. The idea of sex for pleasure was widely expected and unremarkable, concluded because there were no apparent moral zonings on the brothels, and seem to be spread evenly throughout the city. The abundance of brothels also indicates the status of women, particularly slave women. The men dominated the sex demographic. Prostitution was seen as an alternative to adultery and in all these situations the man, or man of higher rank must take the dominant role, not the receiver. In this time, prostitutes were meant to be humiliated and were subjected to cramped, small, windowless chambers that were separated only by a curtain.
Erotic art wasn't only common in brothels but extremely typical for regular homes in Pompeii. Art of as sexual nature was so common that when excavations first began, it was difficult to correctly identify brothels as the art was common in the regular domus. Not all these pieces of art were for the purpose to be sexually pleasing but also held other, mundane and widely known meanings. Sexual symbols today like the phallus are considered improper but in Pompeii, it would've been a symbol of protection, fertility, masculinity and a symbol to ward off the evil eye. The significance of these findings is that we probably wouldn't still have them today had it not been for the eruption that preserved it for over one thousand years. Observing the sexual towards sex, we are met with an ultimately different cultural stand point.
Erotic art wasn't only common in brothels but extremely typical for regular homes in Pompeii. Art of as sexual nature was so common that when excavations first began, it was difficult to correctly identify brothels as the art was common in the regular domus. Not all these pieces of art were for the purpose to be sexually pleasing but also held other, mundane and widely known meanings. Sexual symbols today like the phallus are considered improper but in Pompeii, it would've been a symbol of protection, fertility, masculinity and a symbol to ward off the evil eye. The significance of these findings is that we probably wouldn't still have them today had it not been for the eruption that preserved it for over one thousand years. Observing the sexual towards sex, we are met with an ultimately different cultural stand point.