Pompeii skeleton proves Hellenic culture was thriving in ancient Rome

A skeleton discovered this week in Pompeii, the Roman city which was completely destroyed after the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in 79 AD, proves that Greek culture was thriving in ancient Rome. The discovery was made in the necropolis of Porta Sarno, an area not yet open to the public that is located in the east of Pompeii’s urban center.

A skull bearing tufts of white hair and part of an ear, as well as bones and fragments of fabric, were found in the tomb. It has been described as “one of the best-preserved skeletons ever found in the ancient city.” Hair and part of the ear can still be seen on the skull of Marcus Venerius Secundio, the most well-preserved burial discovered at Pompeii to date. Credit: Pompeii Archaeological Park

An inscription on the dead man’s tomb identifies him as Marcus Venerius Secundio; incredibly, it appears to indicate that he helped stage performances of Hellenic plays. It says the deceased “gave Greek and Latin ludi,” or performances. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, said in a statement:

“It is the first clear evidence of performances at Pompeii in the Greek language. That performances in Greek were organized is evidence of the lively and open cultural climate which characterized ancient Pompeii.”

Wax tablet records kept by Pompeian banker Cecilius Giocondu note that Secundio was enslaved and served in the Temple of Venus. But he rose through the social ranks once he was freed, joining the Augustales priesthood, an imperial cult. Secundio died around the age of 60, buried in a large and impressive tomb befitting his improved social status.

Experts said it was the first confirmation that Greek, the language of culture in the Mediterranean, was used alongside Latin.

In 2019, Italian authorities unveiled to the public an ancient fresco depicting a famous Hellenic myth in Pompeii. The fresco is inside a ”domus,” or a home belonging to the upper class of society at the time. It is believed to have belonged to a rich tradesman who desired to decorate his house with artwork inspired by Hellenic and Roman myths as a gesture of demonstrating his education and wealth.

The fresco depicts the ancient Hellenic myth of Leda and the Swan. This is an erotic myth in which the god Zeus, in the form of a swan, seduces (or, according to other variations of the tale, rapes) Leda, the Aetolian princess who later became Queen of Sparta.

Pompeii, located in Campania, southern Italy, is an open-air museum where visitors can easily view the shockingly vivid remnants of the complete devastation of the city after the violent volcanic eruption. Nearby Mt. Vesuvius is still an active volcano, although it is currently dormant.