![Picture](/uploads/2/2/2/1/22211790/4353693.jpg)
In ancient roman society the pleasure of lust and sex were highly exercised and
was an important aspect controlled and dominated by men. Many examples of
Pompeian art and sculpture depict large male genitalia and even aspects of homosexuality and bestiality by the Gods. first discoveries of the art were considered
pornographic and some artifacts have been hidden away for years with minors not
permitted to view unless accompanied by a guardian or have written consent.
But images that cause feeling of embarrassment and be uncomfortable to modern society is arguably not only a sign of Roman addiction to sexual intercourse, but it has been argued to be a sign of fertility.
The image above depicts Pan who is the god of the wild, shepherds and flocks, nature of mountain wilds, hunting and fertility. He is commonly associated with
sexuality and as depicted in the image does not struggle with the concept of bestiality. He is seen as having intercourse with a goat. Discovered in a Herculaneum home, the sculpture to modern eyes would disturb. But the discovery is evidence of roman acceptance of sexual conventions that would be condemned by modern society. This example of the acceptance of bestiality is an extreme but displays the lengths that ancient roman's went to during there daily life in order to enjoy the pleasure of sex. In contrast it is commonly argued that this sculpture is a sign and a form of prayer wishing for fertility.
Another example of how sex was incorporated throughout roman life and society are from art works found in suburban baths of Pompeii near the marine gate. Pompeii is also a city famous for the discovery of Brothels. The Lupanare was a "whore house" that rendered services of sex. Prostitution was a widely accepted in roman society and even more in pompeii. Prostitutes worshiped the goddess Isis who was said to have lived as a prostitute in Tyre for ten years. Isis temples were favorite meeting places for prostitutes, and brothels were often located nearby. It was not difficult to find a prostitute on the streets of Pompeii, as the calls of lupae (she-wolves) led men to the lupanaria (brothels). Many of the brothels contain graffiti which mention the names of the women who worked there and the services they provided. One customer wrote, ‘Here I had sex with a very beautiful girl admired by many’. Other graffiti tell us that Asellina operated a bar and that Palmyra the Oriental, Aglae the Greek, Maria the Jewess and Zmyrina the Exotic worked there as prostitutes. The biggest brothel in Pompeii belonged to a man called Africanus and was a two-storey building with ten bedrooms, a latrine under the stairs, and erotic paintings over the doors of the cells illustrating different experiences which could be purchased. Rooms were divided into small, dark cells (cellae meretriciae) with only just enough room for a bed. Some of the very poor women pratised their trade out-of-doors under archways. As the wealthy had slaves and mistresses available the majority of names found in brothels cannot be connected to historical figures of importance.
was an important aspect controlled and dominated by men. Many examples of
Pompeian art and sculpture depict large male genitalia and even aspects of homosexuality and bestiality by the Gods. first discoveries of the art were considered
pornographic and some artifacts have been hidden away for years with minors not
permitted to view unless accompanied by a guardian or have written consent.
But images that cause feeling of embarrassment and be uncomfortable to modern society is arguably not only a sign of Roman addiction to sexual intercourse, but it has been argued to be a sign of fertility.
The image above depicts Pan who is the god of the wild, shepherds and flocks, nature of mountain wilds, hunting and fertility. He is commonly associated with
sexuality and as depicted in the image does not struggle with the concept of bestiality. He is seen as having intercourse with a goat. Discovered in a Herculaneum home, the sculpture to modern eyes would disturb. But the discovery is evidence of roman acceptance of sexual conventions that would be condemned by modern society. This example of the acceptance of bestiality is an extreme but displays the lengths that ancient roman's went to during there daily life in order to enjoy the pleasure of sex. In contrast it is commonly argued that this sculpture is a sign and a form of prayer wishing for fertility.
Another example of how sex was incorporated throughout roman life and society are from art works found in suburban baths of Pompeii near the marine gate. Pompeii is also a city famous for the discovery of Brothels. The Lupanare was a "whore house" that rendered services of sex. Prostitution was a widely accepted in roman society and even more in pompeii. Prostitutes worshiped the goddess Isis who was said to have lived as a prostitute in Tyre for ten years. Isis temples were favorite meeting places for prostitutes, and brothels were often located nearby. It was not difficult to find a prostitute on the streets of Pompeii, as the calls of lupae (she-wolves) led men to the lupanaria (brothels). Many of the brothels contain graffiti which mention the names of the women who worked there and the services they provided. One customer wrote, ‘Here I had sex with a very beautiful girl admired by many’. Other graffiti tell us that Asellina operated a bar and that Palmyra the Oriental, Aglae the Greek, Maria the Jewess and Zmyrina the Exotic worked there as prostitutes. The biggest brothel in Pompeii belonged to a man called Africanus and was a two-storey building with ten bedrooms, a latrine under the stairs, and erotic paintings over the doors of the cells illustrating different experiences which could be purchased. Rooms were divided into small, dark cells (cellae meretriciae) with only just enough room for a bed. Some of the very poor women pratised their trade out-of-doors under archways. As the wealthy had slaves and mistresses available the majority of names found in brothels cannot be connected to historical figures of importance.