Fragments of erotic frescoes found on Coliseum walls

Fragments of erotic frescoes found on Coliseum walls

January 12, 2013 | 23:18

Italian archaeologists have found traces of frescoes on the inner
walls of the Coliseum, which showed erotic scenes. The frescoes were
found in the aisle between the second and third floors, closed for the
public, which is now being restored.

The frescoes show scenes dedicated to the victory of gladiators (in
particular, fragments of arrows and laurel wreaths are found), and
erotic scenes. There are phallic symbols among the images, Novolitika
reports.

Discovered frescoes indicate that the walls of the Coliseum, built by
80 AD, were red from inside, and some areas are covered with azurite.
This pigment was probably used for the image of the sky or the sea.

The restoration of the Coliseum, which began in late 2012, will last
for about 2.5 years and will be staged at different sites. Funds for
the restoration of the historic monument, where about three thousand
cracks are discovered, are provided by the entrepreneur and owner of a
shoe company Tod’s Diego Della Valle. Cost of the work is estimated at
$ 25 million.

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