Ever since first having read about the Graffiti found in Pompeii here, I've occasionally been looking around the Internet in search of more examples of the graffiti. In this post shall be a running list of what has so far been found, since chances are there are other people out there looking for cumulative collections. Also, please feel free to e-mail me any other quotes you've found (with your source, please) and I'll add them to the list. Original Latin provided when available. Sources to the quotes listed below coming as soon as I find them again. I can't vouch for the accuracy of the translations from Latin myself; these were collected primarily for enjoyment purposes. That being said . . . Enjoy!
Perhaps some background information is in order. Long ago and far away (79AD, Italy), the city of Pompeii was destroyed by an eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius, which covered the city in a thick layer of volanic ash. The eruption caused a panic in the population as everyone tried to flee at once, clogging the city roads and gates. Thousands of people died, and the eruption was so sudden and unexpected that life was preserved in its average daily routine; people were found performing tasks, a (probable) thief was found clutching a handful of gold, and loaves were even found in the ovens. Frescoes, murals, and other artwork were also preserved nearly perfectly, along with the buildings and the items of daily life. The city was lost for many centuries until, in 1599, an architect named Fontana first found it and its neighboring city, Herculaneum, again; Pompeii was officially rediscovered in 1748, and excavation began in earnest in 1860. Wikipedia offers a good overview of the event, though the above information came from both there and other sources read over time. The following quotes are examples of graffiti that were discovered in the city; one wall in partiular held so many scrawlings that it was referred to in one such scrawling: "O walls, you have held up so much tedious graffiti that I am amazed that you have not already collapsed in ruin."
The fruit dealers together with Helvius Vestalis unanimously urge the election of Marcus
Holconius Priscus as duovir with judicial power.
I ask you to elect Gaius Julius Polybius aedile. He gets good bread.
The muleteers urge the election of Gaius Julius Polybius as duovir.
The worshippers of Isis unanimously urge the election of Gnaeus Helvius Sabinus as aedile.
Proculus, make Sabinus aedile and he will do as much for you.
His neighbors urge you to elect Lucius Statius Receptus duovir with judicial power; he is worthy.
Aemilius Celer, a neighbor, wrote this. May you take sick if you maliciously erase this!
Satia and Petronia support and ask you to elect Marcus Casellius and Lucius Albucius aediles. May we always have such citizens in our colony!
I ask you to elect Epidius Sabinus duovir with judicial power. He is worthy, a defender of the colony, and in the opinion of the respected judge Suedius Clemens and by agreement of the council, because of his services and uprightness, worthy of the municipality. Elect him!
I ask you to elect Marcus Cerrinius Vatia the aedileship. All the late drinkers support him. Florus and Fructus wrote this.
The petty thieves support Vatia for the aedileship.
I ask you to elect Aulus Vettius Firmus aedile. He is worthy of the municipality. I ask you to elect him, ballplayers. Elect him!
I wonder, O, wall, that you have not fallen in ruins from supporting the stupidities of so many scribblers.
(Similar translation or different writer; I'm unsure) O walls, you have held up so much tedious graffiti that I am amazed that you have not already collapsed in ruin.
(And again) I wonder, wall, that you do not smash, who have to bear the weight of all this trash.
Twenty pairs of gladiators of Decimus Lucretius Satrius Valens, lifetime flamen of Nero son of Caesar Augustus, and ten pairs of gladiators of Decimus Lucretius Valens, his son, will fight at Pompeii on April 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. There will be a full card of wild beast combats, and awnings [for the spectators]. Aemilius Celer [painted this sign], all alone in the moonlight.
Market days: Saturday in Pompeii, Sunday in Nuceria, Monday in Atella, Tuesday in Nola, Wednesday in Cumae, Thursday in Puteoli, Friday in Rome.
6th: cheese 1, bread 8, oil 3, wine 3
7th: bread 8, oil 5, onions 5, bowl 1, bread for the slave[?] 2, wine 2
8th: bread 8, bread for the slave[?] 4, grits 3
9th: wine for the winner 1 denarius, bread 8, wine 2, cheese 2
10th:1 denarius, bread 2, for women 8, wheat 1 denarius, cucumber 1, dates 1, incense 1, cheese 2, sausage 1, soft cheese 4, oil 7
Pleasure says: "You can get a drink here for an as [a small coin], a better drink for two, Falernian for four.
A copper pot is missing from this shop. 65 sesterces reward if anybody brings it back, 20 sesterces if he reveals the thief so we can get our property back.
The weaver Successus loves the inkeeper's slave girl, Iris by name. She doesn't care for him, but he begs her to take pity on him. Written by his rival. So long.
[Answer by the rival:] Just because you're bursting with envy, don't pick on a handsomer man, a lady-killer and a gallant.
[Answer by the first writer:] There's nothing more to say or write. You love Iris, who doesn't care for you.
Take your lewd looks and flirting eyes off another man's wife, and show some decency on your face!
Anybody in love, come here. I want to break Venus's ribs with a club and cripple the goddess's loins. If she can pierce my tender breast, why can't I break her head with a club?
I write at Love's dictation and Cupid's instruction; But damn it! I don't want to be a god without you.
[A prostitute's sign:] I am yours for 2 asses cash.
Chius, I hope your piles are chafed once more, That they may burn worse than they've burnt before.
Health to whoever invites me to lunch.
Profit is happiness.
Samius says to Cornelius: Go hang!
Suspirium puellarum Celadus thraex.
Celadus the Thracier makes the girls moan! (C.I.L. IV, 4397; in the barracks of the gladiators)
Puteolanis felicia, omnibus Nucerinis felicia et uncum Pompeianis Petecusanis.
Happiness to the people of Pozzuoli! Prosperity to all from Nuceria! The meathook for the Pompeians and those of Pithecusa!
Luci Istacidi, at quem non ceno, barbarus ille mihi est.
Someone at whose table I do not dine, Lucius Istacidius, is a barbarian to me.
Arphocras hic cum Drauca bene futuit denario.
Here Harpocras has had a good fuck with Drauca for a denarius. (C.I.L. IV, 2193; in the brothel)
Lucius pinxit.
Lucius painted this.
Virgula Tertio suo: indecens es.
Virgula to her Tertius: you are one horny lad!
Lucrum gaudium.
Profit is happiness!
Miximus in lecto. Fateor, peccavimus, hospes. Si dices: Quare? Nulla fuit matella.
We have pissed in our beds. Host, I admit that we shouldn't have done this. If you ask: Why? There was no potty.
Oppi, emboliari, fur, furuncule.
Oppius, clown, thief, petty crook!
Marci Iuni insula sum.
I am the flat of Marcus Iunius.
Cacator cave malum, aut si contempseris, habeas Iovem iratum.
Watch it, you that shits in this place! May you have Jove's anger if you ignore this.
Pituita me tenet.
I've caught a cold.
Myrtis bene felas.
Myrtis, you do great blow jobs.
Pecunia non olet.
Money doesn't stink
The one who buggers a fire burns his penis.
Hermeros screwed here with Phileterus and Caphisus.
If anyone sits here, let him read this first of all: if anyone wants a screw, he should look for Attice; she costs 4 sestertii.
Floronius, privileged soldier of the 7th legion, was here. The women did not know of his presence. Only six women came to know, too few for such a stallion.
Perhaps some background information is in order. Long ago and far away (79AD, Italy), the city of Pompeii was destroyed by an eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius, which covered the city in a thick layer of volanic ash. The eruption caused a panic in the population as everyone tried to flee at once, clogging the city roads and gates. Thousands of people died, and the eruption was so sudden and unexpected that life was preserved in its average daily routine; people were found performing tasks, a (probable) thief was found clutching a handful of gold, and loaves were even found in the ovens. Frescoes, murals, and other artwork were also preserved nearly perfectly, along with the buildings and the items of daily life. The city was lost for many centuries until, in 1599, an architect named Fontana first found it and its neighboring city, Herculaneum, again; Pompeii was officially rediscovered in 1748, and excavation began in earnest in 1860. Wikipedia offers a good overview of the event, though the above information came from both there and other sources read over time. The following quotes are examples of graffiti that were discovered in the city; one wall in partiular held so many scrawlings that it was referred to in one such scrawling: "O walls, you have held up so much tedious graffiti that I am amazed that you have not already collapsed in ruin."
The fruit dealers together with Helvius Vestalis unanimously urge the election of Marcus
Holconius Priscus as duovir with judicial power.
I ask you to elect Gaius Julius Polybius aedile. He gets good bread.
The muleteers urge the election of Gaius Julius Polybius as duovir.
The worshippers of Isis unanimously urge the election of Gnaeus Helvius Sabinus as aedile.
Proculus, make Sabinus aedile and he will do as much for you.
His neighbors urge you to elect Lucius Statius Receptus duovir with judicial power; he is worthy.
Aemilius Celer, a neighbor, wrote this. May you take sick if you maliciously erase this!
Satia and Petronia support and ask you to elect Marcus Casellius and Lucius Albucius aediles. May we always have such citizens in our colony!
I ask you to elect Epidius Sabinus duovir with judicial power. He is worthy, a defender of the colony, and in the opinion of the respected judge Suedius Clemens and by agreement of the council, because of his services and uprightness, worthy of the municipality. Elect him!
I ask you to elect Marcus Cerrinius Vatia the aedileship. All the late drinkers support him. Florus and Fructus wrote this.
The petty thieves support Vatia for the aedileship.
I ask you to elect Aulus Vettius Firmus aedile. He is worthy of the municipality. I ask you to elect him, ballplayers. Elect him!
I wonder, O, wall, that you have not fallen in ruins from supporting the stupidities of so many scribblers.
(Similar translation or different writer; I'm unsure) O walls, you have held up so much tedious graffiti that I am amazed that you have not already collapsed in ruin.
(And again) I wonder, wall, that you do not smash, who have to bear the weight of all this trash.
Twenty pairs of gladiators of Decimus Lucretius Satrius Valens, lifetime flamen of Nero son of Caesar Augustus, and ten pairs of gladiators of Decimus Lucretius Valens, his son, will fight at Pompeii on April 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. There will be a full card of wild beast combats, and awnings [for the spectators]. Aemilius Celer [painted this sign], all alone in the moonlight.
Market days: Saturday in Pompeii, Sunday in Nuceria, Monday in Atella, Tuesday in Nola, Wednesday in Cumae, Thursday in Puteoli, Friday in Rome.
6th: cheese 1, bread 8, oil 3, wine 3
7th: bread 8, oil 5, onions 5, bowl 1, bread for the slave[?] 2, wine 2
8th: bread 8, bread for the slave[?] 4, grits 3
9th: wine for the winner 1 denarius, bread 8, wine 2, cheese 2
10th:1 denarius, bread 2, for women 8, wheat 1 denarius, cucumber 1, dates 1, incense 1, cheese 2, sausage 1, soft cheese 4, oil 7
Pleasure says: "You can get a drink here for an as [a small coin], a better drink for two, Falernian for four.
A copper pot is missing from this shop. 65 sesterces reward if anybody brings it back, 20 sesterces if he reveals the thief so we can get our property back.
The weaver Successus loves the inkeeper's slave girl, Iris by name. She doesn't care for him, but he begs her to take pity on him. Written by his rival. So long.
[Answer by the rival:] Just because you're bursting with envy, don't pick on a handsomer man, a lady-killer and a gallant.
[Answer by the first writer:] There's nothing more to say or write. You love Iris, who doesn't care for you.
Take your lewd looks and flirting eyes off another man's wife, and show some decency on your face!
Anybody in love, come here. I want to break Venus's ribs with a club and cripple the goddess's loins. If she can pierce my tender breast, why can't I break her head with a club?
I write at Love's dictation and Cupid's instruction; But damn it! I don't want to be a god without you.
[A prostitute's sign:] I am yours for 2 asses cash.
Chius, I hope your piles are chafed once more, That they may burn worse than they've burnt before.
Health to whoever invites me to lunch.
Profit is happiness.
Samius says to Cornelius: Go hang!
Suspirium puellarum Celadus thraex.
Celadus the Thracier makes the girls moan! (C.I.L. IV, 4397; in the barracks of the gladiators)
Puteolanis felicia, omnibus Nucerinis felicia et uncum Pompeianis Petecusanis.
Happiness to the people of Pozzuoli! Prosperity to all from Nuceria! The meathook for the Pompeians and those of Pithecusa!
Luci Istacidi, at quem non ceno, barbarus ille mihi est.
Someone at whose table I do not dine, Lucius Istacidius, is a barbarian to me.
Arphocras hic cum Drauca bene futuit denario.
Here Harpocras has had a good fuck with Drauca for a denarius. (C.I.L. IV, 2193; in the brothel)
Lucius pinxit.
Lucius painted this.
Virgula Tertio suo: indecens es.
Virgula to her Tertius: you are one horny lad!
Lucrum gaudium.
Profit is happiness!
Miximus in lecto. Fateor, peccavimus, hospes. Si dices: Quare? Nulla fuit matella.
We have pissed in our beds. Host, I admit that we shouldn't have done this. If you ask: Why? There was no potty.
Oppi, emboliari, fur, furuncule.
Oppius, clown, thief, petty crook!
Marci Iuni insula sum.
I am the flat of Marcus Iunius.
Cacator cave malum, aut si contempseris, habeas Iovem iratum.
Watch it, you that shits in this place! May you have Jove's anger if you ignore this.
Pituita me tenet.
I've caught a cold.
Myrtis bene felas.
Myrtis, you do great blow jobs.
Pecunia non olet.
Money doesn't stink
The one who buggers a fire burns his penis.
Hermeros screwed here with Phileterus and Caphisus.
If anyone sits here, let him read this first of all: if anyone wants a screw, he should look for Attice; she costs 4 sestertii.
Floronius, privileged soldier of the 7th legion, was here. The women did not know of his presence. Only six women came to know, too few for such a stallion.
