The Red Light Area in Ancient Pompeii

Along the way in the tour of the ancient city of Pompeii, the local tour guide pointed a sign high up on a wall and asked whether we could make out what the object is. With a bit of focus, it's not difficult to figure out, it's a penis or phallus.

Further on along the way, she pointed out more such sign including one carved on a piece of rock on the paved road.

Soon, we discovered that stone phalluses were everywhere within the city - carved on road surface, adorning the walls, hanging above doorways and even bread ovens. The local tour guide held the view that some of these signs on walls and streets are actually "road sign" pointing to the direction of the brothel. According to her, Pompeii in those days had people coming from various countries speaking different languages. For non-Roman unfamiliar with the local language, Phallus would be the most universally recognizable sign language that would direct man or men to the red light area.

Of course, not all agree to such view. Some consider phalluses were symbol, not advertisement for sex. Some maintain that penises were actually good luck signs or symbols meant to ward off the Evil Eye, which is why they are often found outside homes and not just brothels. Some held the view that such public display of this item is that Pompeii is a masculine society with a penchant for erotic art. 

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Prostitution is as old as human civilization. This is even found in Genesis, the first book of the Bible. Genesis 38:15 reads, "When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face."  

The local guide teased and asked, "Do you know what is the most visited place in this old city?". It's the Lupanar or the brothel. It's not surprising that old Pompeii had a thriving sex industry, some call this the dirty secrets of Pompeii. 

The queue to the Lupanar (Latin for brothel) was long. Once inside the building, one can see the cubicles for entertaining clients. The external walls are adorned with graphic erotic art depicting all parts of the sex trades, including a menu of services. 

cubicle for the "business transaction!".

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Taking advantage of old Pompeii's brothel and the phalluses that peppered throughout the old city, two most marketed items in the souvenir shops at this tourist site are phalluses and the Evil Eye! Such public display of an item in the form of a sex organ would be unthinkable in Malaysia!