Ancient Romans suffered from… phimosis

Ouch

Men in ancient Rome had a problem with their… penis, according to Italian researcher Dr. Francesco Galassi, who came to this conclusion after studying a Pompey mural covered by lava 2000 years ago.

 

The mural was discovered in the entryway of one of Pompey’s most luxurious mansions, the Vettii house. It depicts the god of fertility Priapus, with his penis erect but suffering from… phimosis. Phimosis is a very painful, as one can imagine, congenital narrowing of the opening of the foreskin so that it cannot be retracted.

 

Galassi studied the mural and spoke to Discovery News, claiming that Priapus has been depicted in other murals with his phallus in plain view, but not suffering from phimosis. The scientist stated that the mural may indicate two possibilities. Either one of the men in the house suffered from it, or most men living in Pompey.

 

 

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