79 AD
“Marcus, stop dripping wine on the mosaic! You’ll ruin it. Honestly, the man is a simpleton.”
“Marcus, para que no se derrame vino sobre el mosaico! Es un simpleton.”
This graffiti was found on a wall in the ruins of Pompeii, remarkably preserved due to the volcanic ash. The phrase "simpleton" (mancipes) indicates a common level of frustration with the less educated populace.
88 AD
“Lucius wants to marry Aurelia. Tell him to bring her father a gift of olives – and a good hunting knife. The girl is beautiful, but useless.”
“Lucius quiere casarse con Aurelia. Diles que le traigan a su padre un regalo de aceitunas – y un buen cuchillo de caza. La chica es hermosa, pero inútil.”
The inclusion of "a good hunting knife" highlights the importance of martial prowess in Roman society, particularly for young men seeking a wife. The graffiti reveals a somewhat cynical view of marriage prospects.
117 AD
“Gaius is convinced he’s a god. He keeps shouting at the statues. Send a legionary to quiet him. Seriously, the man is delusional.”
“Gaius está convencido de que es un dios. Está gritando a las estatuas. Envie a un legionario para calmarlo. En serio, el hombre es delirante.”
This example illustrates a surprisingly common phenomenon – religious fervor and eccentric behavior within Roman society. The use of "legionary" suggests a need for physical intervention.
142 AD
“Don’t forget to pay the toll, Titus! Or you'll be sleeping with the fishes. Just kidding… mostly.”
“No olvides pagar el peaje, Tito! O te dormirás con los peces. Más o menos.”
This graffiti, found near a bridge, demonstrates a darker side – a reminder of the potential consequences of negligence. The phrase “sleeping with the fishes” highlights the dangers of waterway travel.
168 AD
“This wall is cold! Someone get a blanket! And for the love of Jupiter, stop carving your initials into it!”
“Esta pared está fría! Alguien traiga una manta! Y por el amor de Júpiter, no satures tus iniciales en ella.”
The concern about the wall being “cold” suggests a practical concern about building materials and heating. The frustration with someone defacing the wall highlights the importance of respecting public property.
211 AD
“I swear, if I see one more pigeon on this column, I’m going to lose it. Seriously, the birds are everywhere!”
“Juro que si veo otro paloma en esta columna, me voy a volver loco. En serio, los pájaros están por todas partes.”
This simple complaint provides a glimpse into the everyday annoyances of Roman life. The prevalence of pigeons was likely a significant issue in densely populated urban areas.