Erotic Art
Analysis
These images show some of the art discovered in Pompeii. Erotic art in Pompeii and Herculaneum was uncovered in the eighteenth century when excavations initiated. The ancient Roman towns seemed to be full of the erotic art, mosaics, frescos, symbols ,statues - inscriptions regarded to it as pornographic. The presence of such imagery and items demonstrates that the sexual mores of the ancient Roman society of the time were significantly more liberal than most present-day. The first annotated wall art was displayed in the Pompeii suburban baths, there was controversy over whether the paintings were used to promote or advertise the services of prostitutes or whether they were there to depict 'happy scenes'. Other pieces of erotic art were located in Brothels, and homes. The second annotated wall paintings were located in the House of the Vetti. These frescos depict Priapus the God of sex and fertility, with an extremely large penis but its all symbolic. Most houses and buildings have phallic symbols as they symbolised fertility, power and the success of the host. Phalluses were also a sign of good luck. Over the entrance of a bakery in Pompeii was a sign showing a phallus and the inscription beneath of 'Hic habitat felictas' meaning 'here lies happiness' or 'here lies good fortune'. From these ancient artefacts we can gather an understanding about Roman social life and their demeanor towards sex and what exercises they tuned in. Erotic works of art depicting exercises like oral sex, group sex and sex between two men add to our knowledge of Roman life as we can see they valued the act for |
basically as a type of 'entertainment' and all kinds of sexual activities were common and socially acceptable. This allows us to comprehend that the Romans had no assumptions of morals concerning sex and did not attribute terms, for example, "homosexuality" and "heterosexuality" to their sexual behaviours. Our insight into ancient Roman culture is extended from this and is obvious to us how in ancient roman times sex between individuals of the same sex was viewed as very typical. From the erotic art, particularly those displayed in the Lupanar brothel, we can tell that prostitution was a thriving business in Pompeii for both the female and male prostitutes to make a living. Prostitution was not frowned upon by society and Roman men of all social classes could visit a brothel without becoming the object of any moral reproach.
Conclusion
The erotic frescos and wall works are significant as they are the main confirmation we have of the Romans demeanor towards sex and what sort of exercises they occupied with. The eruption of Mt Vesuvius was significant as it allowed us to pick up this knowledge of Roman sexuality and eroticism by protecting the art, explicit sexual graffiti and the brothel in Pompeii - the Lupanar. These artefacts are made particularly unique as they contrast from our modern-day perspectives on sex and demonstrate how open the Romans were to a wide range of sexual behaviour. In the world today these these acts are frequently viewed as shameful and unnatural and even unlawful in a few nations and societies. A particular example is homosexuality and how there is still a debate about whether it ought to be accepted or legal and so forth however in ancient Rome, it was never questioned and people could engage in sexual relations with whoever they chose to and there would be no societal objections. It is also clear that the ancient Romans did not feel the need to label their sexual behaviours - any type was accepted and celebrated in Roman society.
Conclusion
The erotic frescos and wall works are significant as they are the main confirmation we have of the Romans demeanor towards sex and what sort of exercises they occupied with. The eruption of Mt Vesuvius was significant as it allowed us to pick up this knowledge of Roman sexuality and eroticism by protecting the art, explicit sexual graffiti and the brothel in Pompeii - the Lupanar. These artefacts are made particularly unique as they contrast from our modern-day perspectives on sex and demonstrate how open the Romans were to a wide range of sexual behaviour. In the world today these these acts are frequently viewed as shameful and unnatural and even unlawful in a few nations and societies. A particular example is homosexuality and how there is still a debate about whether it ought to be accepted or legal and so forth however in ancient Rome, it was never questioned and people could engage in sexual relations with whoever they chose to and there would be no societal objections. It is also clear that the ancient Romans did not feel the need to label their sexual behaviours - any type was accepted and celebrated in Roman society.