If you visit the Naples National Archeological Museum, or the cities of Pompei and Herculaneum, one question will likely come to mind: "What's with all the penises?" Some early explorers surmised that the cities were full of brothels because everywhere they looked there were penises. They were on the fronts of buildings, in the gardens, on paving stones, on sign posts, on the living room walls, and the dining room tables. There were cooking pots and oil lamps, bird baths, wind chimes and fountains, and more jewelry than you can imagine. All of which prominently displayed penises. Was this some strange sex crazed portion of the Roman Empire?Â
The Europeans who first unearthed the treasures of these ancient cities, as well as many people today, had no understanding of ancient Roman culture and morality so they viewed these items through the lens of their own cultural standards. For most of Western Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, penises represented sex and debauchery, but this was not true for the ancient Romans. For them as in many other cultures throughout history, the fertile power of the penis was seen as a sign of good luck and protection. A penis belongs at the front door to protect not only those who lived inside, but also visitors passing through the entrance. Wind chimes, covered in penises, on the doors of shops would protect the merchants from thieves. Garden ornaments and mosaics including penises would help keep the earth fertile and make things grow. Most importantly, though, were all the amulets that were found. These phalic amulets were especially popular with children. In the Roman world, children were exceptionally vulnerable to sickness, with up to half dying before the age of five. Mothers back then, as now, would do whatever they could to protect the health of their children.
It is also interesting to note that while much of the art displayed very large erect penises, this was not the Roman ideal. Small penises were in style. This had carried over from the ancient Greeks. Any depiction of an actual upstanding Roman man would include a very small penis. Anything large was reserved for mythical creatures or grotesque, foolish men who were ruled by lust and sexual urges. It is likely that some of this artwork would encourage laughter from those who saw it and perhaps added a bit of whimsy to its surroundings.