Pompeian graffitti

[richsc]

I have been enhancing our Leg XX caupona, and wanted to get opinions:<br>
<br>
img15.photobucket.com/alb...ollium.jpg<br>
<img src="http://img15.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Richsc/clollium.jpg" style="border:0;"/><br>
<br>
http://img15.photobucket.com/albums/v45 ... ffitti.jpg
<img src="http://img15.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Richsc/graffitti.jpg" style="border:0;"/> <p>Legio XX<br>
Caupona Asellinae</p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p088.ezboard.com/bromancivtalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=richsc>Richsc</A> at: 5/31/04 6:19 pm<br></i>

[Musivarius]

Nice, I've not seen any photos of original graffiti but was in all quite as regular as that. I've always imagined it to be quite a covert activity where they had to get it done asap before the shop owner gave them a thump in the ear.What does it say?<br>
Musivarius <p></p><i></i>

[richsc]

Most graffitti was scratched in walls, but since I want people to see it I painted it on. The red stuff is the election notice of Caius Lollius as duovir (IIvir), a Pompeiian post similar to aedile, as I understand it. Underneath is the phrase "Asellina's girls urge you to vote (for him) but especially Zymrina".<br>
Some of the election notices have very nice script, even if they are not entirely aligned. The arcing of the 'asellina' quote is just like the original, rather like the painter was standing in one spot and the arm naturally was moving in a broad sweep.<br>
Many times the words would be painted over as rivals fought for wall space, or if they didn't want to be associated with Zymrina. <p>Legio XX<br>
Caupona Asellinae</p><i></i>

[Gashford]

Rich<br>
<br>
Are the gladiators originals from somewhere, I haven't seen them before? Also, judging by the folk in our group the gladiators are far to skinny<br>
<br>
Nice effort on the voting graffiti.<br>
<br>
Lastly what do you use as a roof?<br>
<br>
All the best <p>Graham Ashford
<hr />
[url=http://www.ludus.org.uk" target="_new]Ludus Gladiatorius[/url]<br>
[url=http://pub156.ezboard.com/bromancombatsports" target="_new]Roman Combat Sports Forum[/url]<br>
[url=http://pub45.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk" target="_new]Roman Army Talk Forum[/url]<br>
[url=http://pub27.ezboard.com/bromancivtalk" target="_new]Roman Civilian Talk Forum[/url]<br>
</p><i></i>

[John Maddox Roberts]

Graham:<br>
Those gladiators are based on real Pompeiian examples. The lefthand one is to be seen in the Jacobelli book, fig. 36. It is very puzzling because it shows a man with a shield and helmet weilding a trident. Maybe a secutor using a dropped weapon. <p></p><i></i>

[Anonymous]

Hi Rich,<br>
Love the Graffiti, know the sources, great caupona! I did have a comment and a question: new motto? "head hurt, feet stink…etc" I laughed 'til I hurt! And I couldn't help but notice a new title as "Administrix"? Is someone having fun, or are you undergoing a gender reassignment? In any case, wish I could make it this year, but a paycheck calls. Website server problems have been fixed (hopefully for good). Felicite!<br>
<br>
Wade Heaton<br>
[email protected] <br>
www.togaman.com <p></p><i></i>

[richsc]

Yes, the gladiators are as exact as I could make them from the example from Pompeii, which I think are from a tunnel entrance.<br>
<br>
I found all the graffitti in other Pompeian sources, can't recall which ones, but they are literal. I need to add more, so if you have a favorite let me know. I'd like to add an election notice for a Metullus, maybe for aedile. I wonder if they ever made it down to Pompeii or had a villa in Baiae?<br>
<br>
My new quote is actually an older Jimmy Buffett song translated: "My head hurts, my feet stink, and I don't love Jesus". This is from Henry Beard's new "X-TREME LATIN" book.<br>
<br>
As to administrix, that's Jenny's gift: she started the RCT and then transferred it to me. <p>Legio XX<br>
Caupona Asellinae</p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p088.ezboard.com/bromancivtalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=richsc>Richsc</A> at: 6/3/04 8:29 pm<br></i>

[Tiberio]

Hi,
well I don´t totally agree that most grafiti was scratched as there is just as often mentionen: chalk, coal or charcoal, the painted ones you mention are not really grafiti but more like a now a day billboard or commercial, be it for someone standing for an election, specials at a shop or capona, or advertisement for games. These are usually rather harmless, the scratched or with calk, coal or charcoal writen ones show nothing has changed in 2000 years the topics are exactly the same as modern grafiti often enought rather rude und vulgar, sometimes just spontanious scribbles you name it.
There is a very nice book on that topic although I don´t know if that is availiable in English. I have it in German. It is from prof. dr. Karl-Wilhelm Weeber professor for ancient history and old languages at the university of Bochum. The book is called "Decius war hier..." ISBN 3-7608-1131-0
Hope that helps a bit?

Martin

[hansvl]

Hi Rich,

First of all: a very nice job on the Caupona!

And just to clarify something:

The red stuff is the election notice of Caius Lollius as duovir (IIvir), a Pompeiian post similar to aedile, as I understand it.

A IIvir (duumvir) is the highest post in the municipal government. Like the consuls there were always two collegae to do the job.

Hans