COMITIUM - POMPEII

In the corner where Via dell’Abbondanza enters the Forum we find a building that acted as a sort of polling station for municipal elections. The original building could be reached via five entrances in the northern wall and five in the eastern one, so that voters could enter from the Forum and go straight out into Via dell’Abbondanza. However, after the earthquake of 62 A.D. only three entrances were used: one in the north wall and two leading the Forum. On the southern side of the building we find a podium where the magistrates sat when presiding over the electoral proceedings, while the other two walls contained niches housing honorary statues.

 

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In the latter years of Pompeii the four-sided colonnade rising up behind the Theatre was used as the barracks of the organisation of gladiators who performed in the town. Along the wings of the colonnade and on the first floor were the rooms which provided accommodation for the gladiators from other towns. Paraments, helmets and arms belonging to the gladiators were found in many of the rooms. The four-sided colonnade with its 74 Doric columns was originally used as an extension of the theatre: for example, the public could go there for something to eat (performances often lasted most of the day) or to take shelter from the rain. It is likely that for a few years th ... continue

(Apic. 9, 10, 5) Ingredients:

• Tuna fish fillets
• 3 tbsp strong vinegar
• 9 tbsp olive oil
• 4 finely chopped shallots
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp lovage seeds
• 25 g fresh mint

Instructions:
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Put all of the vinaigrette ingredients into a jar and shake well to blend them together. Brush your tuna fillets with oil, pepper and salt, then grill them on one side over a hot barbecue. Turn them and brush the roasted side with the vinaigrette. Repeat. The tuna flesh should be pink inside so don't let it overcook. Serve ... continue

Love was a common topic of conversation in Pompeii. Feelings, passions, poetic love, sex, homosexuality, prostitution and so forth were all part of daily life and not a source of prejudice. The concept of “obscenity” seems to have been unknown. Love and sex were considered earthly practices of a man’s life that were encouraged by the benevolence of Venus. The thousands of examples of graffiti found on the town’s walls are unequivocal proof of what the people of Pompeii thought about love and sex.