Obscene battle insults

[Nathan Ross]

The best examples are probably the sexual taunts moulded into sling bullets (glandes) from the siege of Perusia in 41BC. We could perhaps assume that taunts like these would be exchanged verbally as well, if the two sides got within close enough range.


These are from Lucius Antonius and Fulvia's side:

Laxe / Octavi / sede - "Limp Octavian, sit on this!"

[S]alv[e] / Octavi / felas - "Greetings Octavian, you suck dick!"

Pet(o) / Octav[i]a(ni) / culu(m) - "I'm after Octavian's arse!"


And from Octavian's men:

L(uci) A(ntoni) calve / Fulvia / culum pan(dite) - "Bald Lucius Antonius and Fulvia, spread your arses!"

Peto / [l]andicam / Fulviae - "I'm after Fulvia's clit!"