A new look at the way they perceived sexuality and love life the people in Pompeii intend to give away the works of art found among the ruins.
Approximately 70 relics , including two medallions decorated with images of satyrs and nymphs found on a ceremonial chariot discovered last year in Pompeii, are expected to go on display at the Pompeii archaeological park from April 21 .
In the houses there were frescoes of erotic content , including one depicting the fertility god Priapus weighing his manhood on a scale, which was found in 2018, while the exhibition also houses a scene with the figure of Leda being impregnated by the Roman god Zeus, disguised as a swan , which was discovered in 2019.
"Obviously the houses of the rich had more paintings, but erotic pictures were very common in Pompeii " said Gabriel Zuchtriegel director of the archaeological park. "Most of the erotic artworks have to do with how the Romans used Greek culture as a cultural code. , as many of them concern Greek mythology as well as stories from the Greek tradition".
Artwork depicting couples in love scenes have been found in houses, after excavations, similar works to those that could be found in a brothel of the ancient Roman city such as Lupanar, which was buried under the ashes of Vesuvius.
"Researchers tended to interpret the existence of rooms decorated with such works of art as prostitution. But the reality is that there was a place for erotic art inside the houses as well".
"Ancient daily life was as complex as ours today . And it's risky to try to interpret what was happening in these places judging by just one picture," Zuchtrigel emphasized.
The exhibit will include additional homoerotic scenes including a statue found in the Casa del Bracciale d'oro, or "House of the Gold Bracelet," one of Pompeii's richest residences, depicting a young man serving his master both during banquets and in their love life.
"People look at the erotic images of Pompeii and see liberation but even then there were written and unwritten rules and it is not exactly a world of great liberation. For example, regarding homosexuality... It was certainly tolerated, but that does not mean that it enjoyed the level of participation or acceptance that we are fighting for today".
The exhibition will last until January 15, 2023.
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