Roman erotica
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| + | "While preparations were being made, the damsel sat in a room looking up at a certain painting, in which was represented how [[Jove]] is said once to have sent a [[golden shower]] into the bosom of [[Danaë]]." --Terence's ''[[Eunuchus|Eunuch]]''[http://www.gutenberg.org/files/22188/22188-h/files/terence1_2.html] | ||
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| - | :''[[ancient erotica]], [[vulgar Latin]], [[Latin profanity]], [[Sexuality in ancient Rome]], [[Roman culture]]'' | + | [[Ancient Rome]] is known for its erotic literature and erotic arts. |
| - | There are numerous sexually explicit paintings and sculpture from the ruined Roman buildings in [[Pompeii]] and [[Herculaneum]] but the original purposes of the depictions can vary. On one hand, in the "[[Villa of the Mysteries]]", there is a ritual flagellation scene that is clearly associated with a religious cult and this image can be seen as having religious significance rather than sexual. On the other hand, graphic paintings in a brothel advertise sexual services in murals above each door. In Pompeii, phalli and testicles engraved in the sidewalks were created to aid visitors in finding their way by pointing to the prostitution and entertainment district as well as general decoration. The Romans considered depictions of sex to be decoration in good taste, and indeed the pictures reflect the sexual mores and practices of their culture, as on the [[Warren Cup]]. Sex acts that were considered [[taboo]] (such as those that defiled the purity of the mouth) were depicted in [[thermae|baths]] for comic effect. Large phalli were often used near entryways, for the phallus was a good luck charm, and the carvings were common in homes. One of the first objects excavated when the complex was discovered was a [[marble]] statue showing the god [[Pan (mythology)|Pan]] having sex with a [[goat]], a detailed depiction of [[bestiality]] considered so obscene that it was not on public display until the year [[2000]] and remains in the [[Secret Museum, Naples]], see [[Pompeian Pan]]. | + | |
| - | =====Erotic art in Pompeii and Herculaneum===== | + | In the visual arts, there are numerous sexually [[Pompeian erotica|explicit paintings and sculpture from the ruined Roman buildings in Pompeii and Herculaneum]]. The [[Warren Cup]] illustrates the homosexual and pederastic nature of [[Roman sexuality]]. Sex acts were depicted in [[thermae|baths]] and large phalli were often used near entryways, for the phallus was a [[good luck]] charm, and the carvings were common in homes. Other famous examples include ''[[The Satyr and the Goat]]'', the ''[[Venus Anadyomene (Pompeii)|Venus Anadyomene]]'', the [[Priapus (House of the Vettii)|Priapus]] from the [[House of the Vettii]] and the so-called [[Tintinnabulum (Ancient Rome)|tintinnabula]], bronze [[phalli]]c [[wind chime]]s. |
| - | :''[[Erotic art in Pompeii and Herculaneum]], [[Hic Habitat Felicitas ]]'' | + | |
| + | In literature there are the proto-novels by [[Apuleius]] and [[Petronius]]; the poetry of [[Juvenal]], [[Martial]], [[Catullus]], [[Propertius]] and [[Tibullus]]; as well as the anonymous ''[[Priapeia]]'' collection; and plays by [[Plautus]] and [[Terrence]], both influenced by [[Menander]]. | ||
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| + | ==Erotic art in Pompeii and Herculaneum== | ||
| + | :''[[Erotic art in Pompeii and Herculaneum]], [[Hic Habitat Felicitas ]], [[anatomic ex-voti]]'' | ||
| '''Erotic art in Pompeii and Herculaneum''' was discovered in the ancient cities around the bay of Naples (particularly of [[Pompeii]] and [[Herculaneum]]) after extensive [[excavation]]s began in the [[18th century]]. The city was found to be full of [[erotic art]] and [[fresco]]es, symbols, and inscriptions regarded by its excavators as [[pornography|pornographic]]. Even many recovered household items had a sexual theme. The ubiquity of such imagery and items indicates that the [[sexual mores]] of the [[Culture of ancient Rome|ancient Roman culture]] of the time were much more liberal than most present-day cultures, although much of what might seem to us to be erotic imagery (eg oversized [[phallus]]es) was in fact [[fertility]]-imagery. This [[culture shock|clash of cultures]] led to an unknown number of discoveries being hidden away again. For example, a [[wall fresco]] which depicted [[Priapus]], the ancient god of sex and fertility, with his extremely enlarged [[penis]], was covered with plaster (and, as [[Karl Schefold]] explains (p. 134), even the older reproduction below was locked away "out of prudishness" and only opened on request) and only rediscovered in [[1998]] due to rainfall. [[The Times]] reported in 2006 "Erotic frescoes put Pompeii brothel on the tourist map". | '''Erotic art in Pompeii and Herculaneum''' was discovered in the ancient cities around the bay of Naples (particularly of [[Pompeii]] and [[Herculaneum]]) after extensive [[excavation]]s began in the [[18th century]]. The city was found to be full of [[erotic art]] and [[fresco]]es, symbols, and inscriptions regarded by its excavators as [[pornography|pornographic]]. Even many recovered household items had a sexual theme. The ubiquity of such imagery and items indicates that the [[sexual mores]] of the [[Culture of ancient Rome|ancient Roman culture]] of the time were much more liberal than most present-day cultures, although much of what might seem to us to be erotic imagery (eg oversized [[phallus]]es) was in fact [[fertility]]-imagery. This [[culture shock|clash of cultures]] led to an unknown number of discoveries being hidden away again. For example, a [[wall fresco]] which depicted [[Priapus]], the ancient god of sex and fertility, with his extremely enlarged [[penis]], was covered with plaster (and, as [[Karl Schefold]] explains (p. 134), even the older reproduction below was locked away "out of prudishness" and only opened on request) and only rediscovered in [[1998]] due to rainfall. [[The Times]] reported in 2006 "Erotic frescoes put Pompeii brothel on the tourist map". | ||
| - | =====Fascinum===== | + | ==Fascinum== |
| :''[[fascinum]], [[Fescennine Verses]], [[fascinum]], [[Tintinnabulum (Ancient Rome)|tintinnabula]], [[Mutunus Tutunus]]'' | :''[[fascinum]], [[Fescennine Verses]], [[fascinum]], [[Tintinnabulum (Ancient Rome)|tintinnabula]], [[Mutunus Tutunus]]'' | ||
| A '''fascinum''' in [[Ancient Rome]] was a [[phallus]]-shaped [[amulet]] worn around the necks (often of children), to ward off the [[evil eye]] or to bring fertility. The word is ultimately the origin of the English verb ''to [[fascinate]]''. | A '''fascinum''' in [[Ancient Rome]] was a [[phallus]]-shaped [[amulet]] worn around the necks (often of children), to ward off the [[evil eye]] or to bring fertility. The word is ultimately the origin of the English verb ''to [[fascinate]]''. | ||
| - | =====Bacchanalia===== | + | ==Bacchanalia== |
| :''[[Bacchanalia]]'' | :''[[Bacchanalia]]'' | ||
| The '''bacchanalia''' were [[wild]] and [[mystic]] [[festival]]s of the [[Roman mythology|Roman]] and Greek god [[Dionysus|Bacchus]]. The bacchanalia were originally held in [[secret]] and [[women only|only attended by women]]. Later, admission to the rites was extended to men and celebrations took place five times a month. The term bacchanalia has become a byword for any drunken [[orgy]]. | The '''bacchanalia''' were [[wild]] and [[mystic]] [[festival]]s of the [[Roman mythology|Roman]] and Greek god [[Dionysus|Bacchus]]. The bacchanalia were originally held in [[secret]] and [[women only|only attended by women]]. Later, admission to the rites was extended to men and celebrations took place five times a month. The term bacchanalia has become a byword for any drunken [[orgy]]. | ||
| - | =====Cleopatra and Messalina===== | + | ==Cleopatra and Messalina== |
| :''[[Cleopatra]], [[Messalina]]'' | :''[[Cleopatra]], [[Messalina]]'' | ||
| [[Cleopatra]], [[Messalina]] represent the female stereotype of the [[sexually insatiable woman]] which gained popularity in the Middle Ages and is still present in [[contemporary culture]]. | [[Cleopatra]], [[Messalina]] represent the female stereotype of the [[sexually insatiable woman]] which gained popularity in the Middle Ages and is still present in [[contemporary culture]]. | ||
| - | =====Literature===== | + | ==Literature== |
| The major writers of [[erotica]] at Rome were [[Catullus]], [[Propertius]], and [[Ovid]]. | The major writers of [[erotica]] at Rome were [[Catullus]], [[Propertius]], and [[Ovid]]. | ||
| - | Novels by [[Ovid]], [[Apuleius]], [[Petronius]] | + | Prose by [[Apuleius]] and [[Petronius]] |
| - | Poetry by [[Juvenal]], [[Martial]], [[Catullus]], [[Propertius]], [[Tibullus]] | + | Poetry by [[Juvenal]], [[Ovid]], [[Martial]], [[Catullus]], [[Propertius]], [[Tibullus]] |
| Plays by [[Plautus]] and [[Terrence]], both influenced by [[Menander]] | Plays by [[Plautus]] and [[Terrence]], both influenced by [[Menander]] | ||
| - | ======Ars Amatoria====== | + | ===Ars Amatoria=== |
| :''[[Ars Amatoria]]'' | :''[[Ars Amatoria]]'' | ||
| '''''Ars Amatoria''''' ("The Art of Love") is a series of three books by the Roman poet [[Ovid]]. Written in [[verse]], their guiding theme is the art of [[seduction]]. The first two, written for men about 1 BC to AD 1, deal with 'winning women's hearts' and 'keeping the loved one', respectively. The third, addressed to women telling them how to best [[attract]] men, was written somewhat later. | '''''Ars Amatoria''''' ("The Art of Love") is a series of three books by the Roman poet [[Ovid]]. Written in [[verse]], their guiding theme is the art of [[seduction]]. The first two, written for men about 1 BC to AD 1, deal with 'winning women's hearts' and 'keeping the loved one', respectively. The third, addressed to women telling them how to best [[attract]] men, was written somewhat later. | ||
| - | ======Metamorphoses====== | + | ===Metamorphoses=== |
| :''[[Metamorphoses]]'' | :''[[Metamorphoses]]'' | ||
| The '''''Metamorphoses''''' by the [[Roman poet]] [[Ovid]] is a [[Narrative poetry|narrative poem]] in fifteen books that describes the [[Creation myth|creation]] and [[history of the world]]. Completed in 8 AD, it has remained one of the most popular works of [[mythology]], being the Classical work best known to medieval writers and thus having a great deal of influence on [[medieval poetry]]. | The '''''Metamorphoses''''' by the [[Roman poet]] [[Ovid]] is a [[Narrative poetry|narrative poem]] in fifteen books that describes the [[Creation myth|creation]] and [[history of the world]]. Completed in 8 AD, it has remained one of the most popular works of [[mythology]], being the Classical work best known to medieval writers and thus having a great deal of influence on [[medieval poetry]]. | ||
| - | ======The Golden Ass====== | + | ===The Golden Ass=== |
| :''[[The Golden Ass]]'' | :''[[The Golden Ass]]'' | ||
| The '''''Metamorphoses''''' of [[Apuleius|Lucius Apuleius]], which according to [[Augustine of Hippo|St. Augustine]] was referred to as '''''The Golden Ass''''' (''Asinus aureus'') by [[Apuleius]], is the only [[Latin novel]] to survive in its entirety. | The '''''Metamorphoses''''' of [[Apuleius|Lucius Apuleius]], which according to [[Augustine of Hippo|St. Augustine]] was referred to as '''''The Golden Ass''''' (''Asinus aureus'') by [[Apuleius]], is the only [[Latin novel]] to survive in its entirety. | ||
| - | ======Priapeia====== | + | ===Priapeia=== |
| + | :''[[Priapeia]]'' | ||
| The '''''Priapeia''''' is a collection of [[poem]]s (ninety five in number) in various meters on the subject of [[Priapus]]. It was compiled from literary works and inscriptions on images of the god by an [[unknown]] editor, who composed the introductory [[epigram]]. From their style and versification it is evident that the poems belong to the best period of [[Latin literature]]. | The '''''Priapeia''''' is a collection of [[poem]]s (ninety five in number) in various meters on the subject of [[Priapus]]. It was compiled from literary works and inscriptions on images of the god by an [[unknown]] editor, who composed the introductory [[epigram]]. From their style and versification it is evident that the poems belong to the best period of [[Latin literature]]. | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[Ancient erotica]] | ||
| *[[Antiquity]] | *[[Antiquity]] | ||
| *[[Erotica]] | *[[Erotica]] | ||
| *[[Erotic art]] | *[[Erotic art]] | ||
| *[[Erotica timeline]] | *[[Erotica timeline]] | ||
| + | *[[Latin profanity]] | ||
| + | *[[Roman culture]] | ||
| + | *[[Sexuality in ancient Rome]] | ||
| + | |||
| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
Current revision
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"While preparations were being made, the damsel sat in a room looking up at a certain painting, in which was represented how Jove is said once to have sent a golden shower into the bosom of Danaë." --Terence's Eunuch[1] |
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Featured: |
Ancient Rome is known for its erotic literature and erotic arts.
In the visual arts, there are numerous sexually explicit paintings and sculpture from the ruined Roman buildings in Pompeii and Herculaneum. The Warren Cup illustrates the homosexual and pederastic nature of Roman sexuality. Sex acts were depicted in baths and large phalli were often used near entryways, for the phallus was a good luck charm, and the carvings were common in homes. Other famous examples include The Satyr and the Goat, the Venus Anadyomene, the Priapus from the House of the Vettii and the so-called tintinnabula, bronze phallic wind chimes.
In literature there are the proto-novels by Apuleius and Petronius; the poetry of Juvenal, Martial, Catullus, Propertius and Tibullus; as well as the anonymous Priapeia collection; and plays by Plautus and Terrence, both influenced by Menander.
Contents |
Erotic art in Pompeii and Herculaneum
Erotic art in Pompeii and Herculaneum was discovered in the ancient cities around the bay of Naples (particularly of Pompeii and Herculaneum) after extensive excavations began in the 18th century. The city was found to be full of erotic art and frescoes, symbols, and inscriptions regarded by its excavators as pornographic. Even many recovered household items had a sexual theme. The ubiquity of such imagery and items indicates that the sexual mores of the ancient Roman culture of the time were much more liberal than most present-day cultures, although much of what might seem to us to be erotic imagery (eg oversized phalluses) was in fact fertility-imagery. This clash of cultures led to an unknown number of discoveries being hidden away again. For example, a wall fresco which depicted Priapus, the ancient god of sex and fertility, with his extremely enlarged penis, was covered with plaster (and, as Karl Schefold explains (p. 134), even the older reproduction below was locked away "out of prudishness" and only opened on request) and only rediscovered in 1998 due to rainfall. The Times reported in 2006 "Erotic frescoes put Pompeii brothel on the tourist map".
Fascinum
A fascinum in Ancient Rome was a phallus-shaped amulet worn around the necks (often of children), to ward off the evil eye or to bring fertility. The word is ultimately the origin of the English verb to fascinate.
Bacchanalia
The bacchanalia were wild and mystic festivals of the Roman and Greek god Bacchus. The bacchanalia were originally held in secret and only attended by women. Later, admission to the rites was extended to men and celebrations took place five times a month. The term bacchanalia has become a byword for any drunken orgy.
Cleopatra and Messalina
Cleopatra, Messalina represent the female stereotype of the sexually insatiable woman which gained popularity in the Middle Ages and is still present in contemporary culture.
Literature
The major writers of erotica at Rome were Catullus, Propertius, and Ovid.
Prose by Apuleius and Petronius
Poetry by Juvenal, Ovid, Martial, Catullus, Propertius, Tibullus
Plays by Plautus and Terrence, both influenced by Menander
Ars Amatoria
Ars Amatoria ("The Art of Love") is a series of three books by the Roman poet Ovid. Written in verse, their guiding theme is the art of seduction. The first two, written for men about 1 BC to AD 1, deal with 'winning women's hearts' and 'keeping the loved one', respectively. The third, addressed to women telling them how to best attract men, was written somewhat later.
Metamorphoses
The Metamorphoses by the Roman poet Ovid is a narrative poem in fifteen books that describes the creation and history of the world. Completed in 8 AD, it has remained one of the most popular works of mythology, being the Classical work best known to medieval writers and thus having a great deal of influence on medieval poetry.
The Golden Ass
The Metamorphoses of Lucius Apuleius, which according to St. Augustine was referred to as The Golden Ass (Asinus aureus) by Apuleius, is the only Latin novel to survive in its entirety.
Priapeia
The Priapeia is a collection of poems (ninety five in number) in various meters on the subject of Priapus. It was compiled from literary works and inscriptions on images of the god by an unknown editor, who composed the introductory epigram. From their style and versification it is evident that the poems belong to the best period of Latin literature.
See also
- Ancient erotica
- Antiquity
- Erotica
- Erotic art
- Erotica timeline
- Latin profanity
- Roman culture
- Sexuality in ancient Rome
