The grotesquely large phallus belongs to the fertility god Priapus, a tragic figure in Roman mythology.
Pompeii
Posted inNews
Archaeologists Excavate Fully Furnished House at Pompeii
A collection of household items found in chests and cabinets provides new insights into the lives of middle-class Pompeians, according to the researchers.
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Pompeii Heats Up With a New Exhibition of Erotic Art
The show encompasses 70 works from the archeological site’s vast troves, including the famous “Leda and the Swan” fresco recovered in 2018.
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Meet Spot, the (Robot) Underdog of Pompeii
Robo-hounds are being deployed to inspect the ancient city for structural threats to its preservation.
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Antiquities Expert Calls on Getty Museum to Repatriate Ancient Artwork
A researcher is calling on the LA museum to return the fresco fragment, claiming it was linked to Robert E. Hecht Jr., who was accused of trafficking in looted art.
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Pompeii’s Long-buried Frescoes Come Back to Life
Pompeii in Color at New York University presents a scintillating close read on the fresco art of the lost city’s villas.
Posted inBooks
The Tender, Loving Side of the Romans
Hérica Valladares explores the softer side of an ancient people famed for brutality.
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Archaeologists Find Ornate Chariot Preserved in Ash From Mount Vesuvius
The unique chariot includes elaborate scenes on rear medallions that refer to Eros, leading researchers to theorize that it could have been a chariot used for marriage rituals or processionals.
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Ancient Pompeii Had a Recycling Program
Researchers recently discovered systems of sorting rubbish, like mortar and plaster, for reuse.
Posted inIn Brief
A “Sorcerer’s Treasure Trove” Uncovered in Pompeii
The wooden box full of amulets, trinkets, and gems is believed to have belonged to a Roman sorceress, according to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.
Posted inIn Brief
Archaeologists Discovered an Ancient “Fast Food” Counter in Pompeii
The 2,000-year-old snack bar is emblazoned with an enchanting and well-preserved logo.
Posted inIn Brief
Digitally Mapping Cultural Heritage Sites in Italy, Brazil, and Turkey
The Getty Foundation has awarded $1 million in grants to support virtual preservation of cultural locations worldwide.