Featured Graffiti: Love
Learn how the ancients greeted their love and called upon the goddess Venus for good luck with their relationships.
Methe Cominiaes Atellana amat Chrestum corde [si]t utreis que Venus Pompeiana propitia [e]t sem[per] concordes veivant
Methe, a slave of Cominia, from the town of Atella, loves Chrestus. May Pompeian Venus be propitious in her heart to them both and may they always live harmoniously.
Amantes, ut apes, vita(m) mellita(m) exigunt
Velle(m)!
Lovers, like bees, lead a honeyed life.
I wish!
(A second person seemed to write the second line: Velle!)
Amoris ignes si sentires, mulio,
magi(s) properares, ut videres Venerem.
Diligo iuvenem venustum; rogo punge iamus.
Bibisti, iamus, prende lora et excute!
Pompeios defer, ubi dulcis est amor.
Meus es
If you could feel the fires of love, (mule-)driver, you would hurry faster, so that you could see Venus.
I love a charming young man. I'm asking you, spur on (the mule), let's go! You've had a drink. Let's get going! Take the reins and move it! Head toward Pompeii where love is sweet. You are my...
Fortunatus · amat · Amplianda (:Ampliandam).
Ianuarius · amat · Veneria (:Veneriam).
Rogamus · damna (:domina) · Venus
ut · nos · in · mente · habias (:habeas)
quod te · modo · introrgamus (:interrogamus)
Fortunatus loves Amplianda. Ianuarius loves Veneria. We ask mistress Venus that you keep us in mind (and also) that which we now ask of you.