Featured Graffiti: Love

Learn how the ancients greeted their love and called upon the goddess Venus for good luck with their relationships.

Methe Cominiaes Atellana amat Chrestum corde [si]t utreis que Venus Pompeiana propitia [e]t sem[per] concordes veivant

Methe, a slave of Cominia, from the town of Atella, loves Chrestus. May Pompeian Venus be propitious in her heart to them both and may they always live harmoniously.

Sabine, calos (=καλὸς), Hermeros te amat.

Sabinus, handsome guy -- Hermeros loves you

Amantes, ut apes, vita(m) mellita(m) exigunt
  
    Velle(m)!

Lovers, like bees, lead a honeyed life.

     I wish!


(A second person seemed to write the second line: Velle!)

Amoris ignes si sentires, mulio,
magi(s) properares, ut videres Venerem.
Diligo iuvenem venustum; rogo punge iamus.
Bibisti, iamus, prende lora et excute!
Pompeios defer, ubi dulcis est amor.
Meus es

If you could feel the fires of love, (mule-)driver, you would hurry faster, so that you could see Venus.
I love a charming young man. I'm asking you, spur on (the mule), let's go! You've had a drink. Let's get going! Take the reins and move it! Head toward Pompeii where love is sweet. You are my...

Fortunatus · amat · Amplianda (:Ampliandam).
Ianuarius · amat · Veneria (:Veneriam).
Rogamus · damna (:domina) · Venus
ut · nos · in · mente · habias (:habeas)
quod te · modo · introrgamus (:interrogamus)

Fortunatus loves Amplianda. Ianuarius loves Veneria. We ask mistress Venus that you keep us in mind (and also) that which we now ask of you.