M/M: A Slave's Heart, CIL IV.5037

Although there exist a handful of loving exchanges between a Roman slave and their master, it is important to remember that these relationships lacked the ability for consent. We have no idea of the context of the following inscription, whether this was an honest declaration of affection, or if these words were written to appease or mollify their master's wrath. Just as in American history, where it is inappropriate to romanticize an American slaveowner's relationship with their slaves, so too is it inappropriate to romanticize relationships in the ancient world that would not be considered consensual today. Doing so damages the dignity of our youth.

ΦΡΑΣΩΝ

ΚΥΡΙΟΣ ΗΛΙΟΥ

ΕΡΩΤΑ ΣΕ Ο ΔΟΥ

ΛΟΣ ΗΛΙΟΣ

 

Thrason,

Domine Helii,

Amat te servus

Helius

--CIL IV.5037, found in House IX 2.26 in Pompeii

 

I'm Pregnant! Pregnancy Announcements from Pompeii

I’m Pregnant! Pregnancy Announcements from Pompeii

Name: Unknown Date: prior to 79 CE Region: found written in charcoal in a graveyard in Pompeii [modern Italy] Citation:   CIL  4.10231

 

Atimetus got me pregnant!

GRAVIDO ME TENE[t]

ATM[etus?]

 

Name: Unknown Date: prior to 79 CE Region: found written on insula 7 in Regio 5 in Pompeii [modern Italy] Citation:   CIL  4.7080

 

Ra.... got me pregnant!

GRAVIDO ME

TENET

RA[?????]

 

 

M/M: A Declaration of Love in Pompeiian Grafitti, CIL IV.1256

A Declaration of Love from Pompeii

Name: Hermeros Date: before 79 CE Region: Pompeii [modern Italy] Citation:  CIL 4.1256

 

Beautiful Sabinus, Hermeros loves you!

SABINE CALOS, HERMEROS TE AMAT

 

M/M: I'm in love! Grafitti from Pompeii, CIL 4.1812

Let the World Know I’m in Love! Graffiti from Pompeii

Name: Caesius Fidelis Date: before 79 CE Region: Basilica of Pompeii [modern Italy] Citation:  CIL 4.1812

 

Caesius Fidelis loves Meco from Nuceria!CAESIUS FIDELIS AMAT MECONE NUCERINUM

W/W: Unrequited, Pompeian Graffiti CIL IV 8321A

Unrequited: From the Walls of Pompeii

Name: Chloe Date: prior to 79 CE Region: Pompeii [modern Italy] Citation:   CIL 4.8321A

Chloe greets Eutychia.

Eutychia, you don’t care about me;

instead, you love your Redhead[1] with steadfast hope.

---

[1] The gendered ending was not preserved here. 

Unrequited: From the Walls of Pompeii

CHLOE EUTYCHIAE S[alutem]

NON ME CURAS, EUTYCHIA. SPE FIRMA TUA RUF* AMAS

 

W/W: A Poet's Longing: CIL 4.5296

 

Dreams of Kisses: A Pompeiian Woman’s Lament

Name: Unknown Date: prior to 79 CE Region: Regio IX in Pompeii [modern Italy] Citation:   CIL 4.5296

If only I could hold you

In my arms

And kiss your tender lips!

Go now, baby doll,

Entrust your happiness to the winds!

Trust me, the nature of men is fickle.

For often when I am lying awake

In the middle of the night,

I am undone

As I think to myself how Fortune dashes down

Those she had just recently lifted up.

Dreams of Kisses: A Pompeiian Woman’s Lament

O utinam liceat collo complexa tenere

Braciola et teneris oscula ferre labellis

I nunc, ventis tua gaudia, pupula, crede

Crede mihi levis est natura virorum

Saepe ego cum media vigilarem perdita nocte

haec mecum meditans: multos Fortuna quos sustulit alte

hos modo proiectos subito praecipitesque premit.