Nov. 26 – The journey through the discoveries and new studies on Italy’s archaeological landscapes continues in Vienna, where on Tuesday, December 9 at 6pm, the Institut für Klassische Archäologie der Universität Wien hosts the third round of the conferences devoted to Italian archeology. Organized in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute of the city, the conference (working language: German) is entitled “The city of Venus. New Epigraphic and Archaeological Approaches to Studying Prostitution in Ancient Pompeii.” The artistic works that reached us show often explicit, sometimes more discrete images impregnated with sensuality. These show the large erotic freedom that characterized the Roman city. Numerous excavations – which begun in the 18th century –revealed frescoes, statues, bowls, wall reliefs and inscriptions depicting the intense sexuality and strong symbolism linked to fertility. It is believed that many of the images brought to light were in fact brochures of the erotic activities practiced in the city. During the seminar, Antonio Varone of the Ministry of Heritage and Cultural Activities will report on prostitution in Pompeii (“Im Rotlicht-Milieu von Pompeii. Der Herr und die Castrensis berufsmässige Prostitution in Pompeii”). On January 13, however, Professor Luisa Melillo, who heads the laboratory of conservation and restoration of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, will head to the Austrian institute. She will speak on “The Great Pompeii Mosaic: the House of the Faun. Conservation issues, the intrigues at Court, the transfer to the Royal Museum of Naples, and the final location.” (Gil)
