Eroticism in Pompeii: A View of Roman Provential Life

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	• Eroticism in Pompeii Antonio Varone Getty Publications, 2001 - 120 pages average customer review:based on 1 review view larger image
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Eroticism in Pompeii: A View of Roman Provential Life

I first used Eroticism in Pompeii as a source for a scholarly article about how Romans saw gender, sex, sexuality and the other. Of all of the texts, this one was the easiest to acquire as well as the most accessible. Moreover, because it was compiled recently, color pictures helped to sever the divide of centuries and offer a window into the lives of the Romans not covered in Pliny and Plutarch.

This is a tight, somewhat preliminary study of the Roman phallic symbol, the place of sex in Roman society, and, to a large extent, about Roman painting. Wholly, it paints a picture of Classic Romans as being somewhat bawdy and mischievous, a culture that did not hide their sexuality or their sex acts.

The text is large and is an easy read. Although Varone quotes several primary sources throughout the text, the absence of a lengthy bibliography leaves Eroticism in Pompeii somewhat isolated from similar works. Still, it is a fantastic and visually beautiful stand-alone volume.

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Since its discovery in the middle of the eighteenth century, Pompeii has fascinated scholars and non-experts alike. The thrill of finding the ancient city-buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD-was heightened by the rich history of this Roman town and her people. These four books-official thematic guides to the archaeological site-delve into the life and culture in Pompeii by exploring scenes depicted in the city's copious artwork, including frescoes, sculptures, and mosaics.
The ancient Romans--a society with a more relaxed attitude toward sex--practiced and portrayed a diverse array of sexual activities. This book sheds light on the ways eroticism appeared in the resort city of Pompeii by combining excerpts from the authors of the time, especially Martial, with erotic sculptures and frescoes discovered at the site. Beautiful color images of artwork from Pompeii accompany chapters on public, private, and sacred erotic displays, as well as ironic depictions and parodies.

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