Buried under meters of ash, amidst frescoes, graffiti and extraordinarily preserved remains. Pompeii after 2,000 years has managed to tell the stories and details of one of the most important figures in ancient Roman society: women.
Women wives and matrons, women slaves and prostitutes, but also women entrepreneurs and store owners. A very diverse society that of Pompeii, which has been the focus of numerous studies and debates. And today it has become an exhibition. An exhibition set up in Pompeii in the great gymnasium from April 16 to January 31, 2026, which tells the story of the role and life of the most important women, between slavery, prostitution and nobility.
An exhibition highlighting the history of 8 women from Flavia Agatea to Eumachia. From Mamia, Nevoleia Tyche, to Asellina at Asellina’s Termopolis. Julia Felix in the Praedia of Julia Felix. Eutychis in the servile quarter of the House of the Vettii and Amaryllis at the House of Marcus Terentius Eudoxus.
Evidence emerged during archaeological excavations that proved invaluable in analyzing the role of women in Roman society, a subject that eludes in other contexts due to the paucity of information.
In short, a clear testimony of these women, who have always been considered a marginal figure compared to men in Roman society.
FLAVIA AGATEA
Flavia Agathaea was a slave who became free through the Flavian family. She had herself buried in a monumental tomb in the necropolis outside Porta Nocera with her husband Publius Flavius.
A sepulchral building with niches and busts in the facade typical of the libertine class. Containing the approximately 34 cm tuff bust of Flavia Agathaea and her husband perfectly preserved.
EUMACHIA
Eumachia was one of Pompeii’s most celebrated female figures. A wool entrepreneur as well as a public priestess. She financed major public constructions in the forum at Pompeii at her own expense. And it was because of her high prominence that Pompeians dedicated a tomb to her in the necropolis of Porta Nocera. One of the largest bearing Eumachia’s name in clear letters. But not only the fullones-the workers engaged in the production cycle of raw wool-dedicated to her an honorary statue with a veiled head that was placed in a niche of the crypta on the back side of the ‘building in the forum.
In short, a woman admired and respected by all, who radically overturned the role and common thinking of women in ancient Pompeii.
MAMIA
Mamia was also a priestess who financed at her own expense the first building in the forum that elevated Emperor Augustus to godhood. By building a temple for the emperor, Mamia showed him approval and devotion, thus gaining an absolutely prestigious role in society.
As a sign of respect and gratitude to this woman. Members of the city council dedicated a tomb to her, immediately outside Herculaneum Gate.
This is a type of monumental tomb intended for prominent members of the community.
NEVOLEIA TYCHE
Nevoleia Tyche was a slave and had received freedom from her master. Like her husband she became free and acquired the position of attaché to the emperor. Thanks to this position he obtained from the city council a piece of land outside Porta Nocera. And right there Nevoleia Tyche and her husband built their tomb.
But not only that, outside Herculaneum Gate they also built an even more prestigious building that they dedicated to the slaves who became free like them.
ANSELLINA
Ansellina made Pompeii’s history because of his store, a tavern he had along Via dell’Abbondanza, where she sold cooked food and drinks. The present store on the ground floor had this small brick counter intended for the sale of products.
But Ansellina’s notoriety was not due to the quality of the food it sold, but to the beautiful women who worked there. In fact, the latter, in order to increase its clientele, hired young and beautiful helpers who not only welcomed guests, took their orders but made themselves available to them by taking them upstairs where there were rooms.
JULIA FELIX
Julia Felix was one of the wealthiest and most influential women in Pompeii. She gained great power and prestige after the violent earthquake that struck Pompeii in 62 A.D. Many private houses and public buildings (such as the baths) were badly damaged by this earthquake. And Julia Felix decided to rent out her own apartments and private bath quarter, starting her fruitful business as a real estate entrepreneur.
EUTYCHIS
Eutychis was the name of a slave mentioned in a graffito at the entrance to the luxurious domus of the Vettii, two slaves who became free through the wine trade.
She was probably involved in both domestic duties and erotic pleasures and lived in the servile quarter of the house. In particular, a small room accessible only from the kitchen and decorated with erotic pictures must have been intended for her, far from the luxurious rooms where the masters received their guests.
AMARYLLIS
Amaryllis like Eutychis was a slave who probably like the latter was forced into prostitution.
She worked for Marcus Terentius Eudoxus weaving wool. Workshop that was set up inside the peristyle of his house that faced along Fortune Augusta Street. Several women worked at the weaving mill and were supervised by other slaves; the very names of these slaves were found on a column to commemorate the amount of warp and weft threads spun by each of them. Hard and tiring work they did working in fear of displeasing their master.
Different women, women who were strong and admired, women who left, also thanks to the graffiti imprinted on the walls of Pompeii, traces of their history.
