Many people wonder and research a wide variety of curiosities concerning Pompeii, the oldest Roman city buried and destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
You have probably also read some trivia about Pompeii. But few people know and tell that behind the wonder of the houses, domus and frescoes, there is actually another side of the ancient Roman city that is little known and even unthinkable.
In these short lines I will tell you about a new, different and sometimes unknown Pompeii.
The 5 curiosities I am going to list for you today about Pompeii will probably never have read them and will give you a new view of the ancient city.
Usurious activities
Well you should know that Pompeii was not only a bustling city devoted to work and wine trade, but also a city in which there was no shortage of brawling and illegal activities. Lots of men, for example, but also women, engaged in usurious activities. They lent money to those in need and demanded its repayment with very high interest rates.
The rigged general election
Not to mention the powerful officials, bankers and businessmen. Who, taking advantage of the position they held, rigged the political elections held in the city, deciding who was the candidate to be elected. This apparently was a very common activity that took place in ancient Pompeii and affected the lives of all its inhabitants.
The underground gambling dens
The presence of numerous underground gambling dens found in ancient Pompeii. Ancient Pompeians loved to gamble, and although gambling was forbidden, the latter always found a way to play, making real underground gambling dens in the backrooms of the so-called termopoli (diner). The favorite game of the ancient Pompeians, was the game of dice. Even during various excavation works, rigged dice were also found. The latter were hollow on the inside, probably because a weight was inserted into them so that the dice always fell on the same face.
The erotic activity
Pompeians loved to go to the lupanariums, that is, places intended for sexual pleasure. They were the places most frequented by ancient Pompeians. There were approximately 25 of them in Pompeii. But the most famous was the lupanare of Victor and Africanus. A great many erotic paintings were found inside the latter, depicting the erotic positions that could be assumed by those who frequented these places, or so it was assumed.
The phallus
Another curiosity about Pompeii and the Pompeian people was the use of the phallic symbol. The phallus was used by the owners of lupanariums, on sidewalks and walls, to indicate to customers that they were in the vicinity of precisely the lupanare. In addition, the phallus was also used as a symbol of auspiciousness, prosperity, and good luck. In fact, it is one of the most recurring symbols you will see when visiting Pompeii. Houses were filled with paintings depicting the phallus symbol. But that’s not all, Pompeiians also used phallus pendants, which were even hung around the necks of toddlers as a sign of good luck.
You can discover these and so many other curiosities only by visiting Pompeii together with an informed tour guide. Unfortunately, visiting Pompeii alone does not allow you to know so many details of this ancient city.
For this reason, I advise you, not to dwell only on the paintings and monuments that you will be able to admire by visiting Pompeii, but deepen your visit together with an experienced guide, who will lead you to discover every detail of Pompeii.
In order to guarantee you a truly unforgettable experience, we have selected only the best agencies in the area, with whom you can take an extraordinary tour.
