Pompeii, the city of wonders, continues to this day to yield incredible new discoveries. Despite the fact that more than 2,000 years have passed since that terrible eruption of Vesuvius, which buried it completely.
Discoveries that incredibly still emerge today, even though part of Pompeii’s archaeological park has already been brought to light.
This time the find is truly incredible and exceptional because it sheds new light on the lives of the tiny inhabitants of the ancient Roman city. Offering us another perspective of Pompeii that is not about adults but about the culture and habits of the youngest.
The discovery in the insula of the Caste Lovers of Pompeii
The discovery was made in the Insula of the Chaste Lovers, specifically in the House of the Upper Room, along Via dell’abbondanza.
These are some drawings made with charcoal by children about 5/7 years old depicting scenes of combat between gladiators.
This is an incredible and valuable find that enriches us with new knowledge, but at the same time gives us insight into the spectacular violence these children were exposed to 2,000 years ago.
Most likely one or more of the children had witnessed or used to witness the gladiator fights in the amphitheater. And they had imprinted this violent scene with charcoal on the walls of their homes.
Thus, there was no difference between adults and children in ancient Pompeii; gladiatorial fights were open to everyone, even young children.
The drawings found in the cenacle house were clear and unequivocal; these were gladiators intent on fighting in the arena of the amphitheater. Gladiators who were depicted with arms and legs coming straight out of their heads. Typical of drawings made by children about 5/7 years old who approach drawing at first and tend to represent the human figure using only strokes.
Children’s drawings from Pompeii
But this is not the only find that has been made; in another area used as a storage area for amphorae, other drawings were found, again of young children.
Children who most likely went to these areas to play left to themselves for whole days while their parents took care of their own affairs. And secretly they would make these drawings with charcoal on the walls.
Again gladiators intent on fighting have been depicted, but there is also a boxing scene, with one of the boxers lying on the floor. As well as two figures playing with a ball and an animal, possibly a wild boar.
Next to the drawings this time we find imprinted the hand of the small author who outlined its edges with charcoal, leading experts to support the thesis that these were extremely young children.
Frescoes and human remains in the insula of the Casti Amanti
But the discoveries in the insula of chaste lovers do not end there, during restoration work in the house of the Painters at Work a wonderful fresco was found depicting mythological figures (centaurs, sirens, griffins) with some deities such as Aphrodite, Apollo and Dionysus.
But that’s not all, on another wall near the entrance to the garden a smaller picture came to light depicting a hooded child surrounded by large bunches of grapes and pomegranates; by his side a small dog.
The insula of the Caste Lovers after a period of work is finally open to the public via walkways that allow the house to be discovered from above.
Visit the insula with an expert guide and discover all the findings that have been made there.
The area is also open to disabled people equipped with wheelchairs.
VISIT THE INSULA OF THE CHASTE LOVERS WITH AN EXPERIENCED TOUR GUIDE
