×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Thursday
10
Sep 2026
weather symbol
Athens 27°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Culture

Ancient Romans suffered from… phimosis

Ouch

Newsroom June 20 05:16

Δείτε περισσότερα άρθρα μας στα αποτελέσματα αναζήτησης

Add Protothema.gr on Google

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.

 

>Related articles

Pythagoreion, Samos: This is the Ministry of Culture’s plan to integrate its archaeological sites

National Archaeological Museum outlines plans for major Athens expansion

Hydra: Gallery Miranda returns home

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.

 

 

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

> More Culture

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Cindy Crawford says having a daughter who looks like her can be annoying, but it has its perks

September 10, 2026

Breaking: The two doctors arrested over the death of Giorgos Mazonakis

September 10, 2026

Nicole Kidman on the Oscar she won in 2003: “I was at the peak of my career and came home feeling so alone”

September 10, 2026

Mitsotakis met with Amal Clooney at the Maximos Mansion, with the Parthenon Marbles as the center of the discussion

September 10, 2026

Giorgos Mazonakis investigation — Four folders and a bag of evidence taken from Kolonaki clinic by Greek “FBI” officers

September 10, 2026

Greek shipowners’ major cash-out – 316 ships up for auction

September 10, 2026

Oil surges past $100 as Saudi production falls to 36-year low

September 10, 2026

Theo James recounts grandfather’s wartime escape from Greece

September 10, 2026
All News

> Greece

In reverence, the emotional deposition in Jerusalem, see photos & video

The Holy Temple of the Resurrection opened after many days due to the war between Israel and Iran

April 10, 2026

In the final stretch for the accreditation of joint master’s degrees: Aiming for their launch in the coming academic year

April 10, 2026

Schedule for Epitaph Procession today (10/4)

April 10, 2026

Perfect weather for Easter excursions, according to Tsatrafyllia’s forecast

April 10, 2026

Easter in Greece: The customs that continue in Greek tradition – From Nafpaktos to Corfu

April 10, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα