Roman Romps and Rotations
by Welcome to the Pleasure Dome! A weird and rather bizarre discovery by Italian archaeologists in Rome.
As far as the dining went, guests would indulge in the finest food and most bizarre delicacies such as peacock, swan, stuffed sow wombs and roasted dormice. These gluttonous guests would gorge themselves to such an extent that they frequently had to vomit to make way for more food. They drank gallons of wine but, to give them their due, they did stop from time to time for a little exercise – but not the normal quick jog around the block – their intervals were taken up with intercourse (not of the conversational type you understand, but more your sexual type!). Nero was known to be bisexual so he invited both male and female prostitutes to mingle with the guests to ensure everyone had a chance at exercising presumably!
One of Nero’s favourite party pastimes was to be imprisoned in a cage, dressed up in animal skins and then have young men and women tethered to posts in front of him. He’d then ravage them, roaring like a wild animal (beats musical chairs or pass the parcel!).
Apart from the odd, rather boring, seduction and rape of boys and married women, some of the more ‘peculiar practices’ in which Nero indulged during his lifetime again were set out and documented by our good friend Suetonius.
He stated that Nero turned a boy, Sporus, into a girl by castrating him and then went through a wedding ceremony with him. And this was no mock-up done at Gretna Green. It involved a dowry, a bridal veil and a full service attended by the whole of the eccentric Emperor’s court.
At his notorious dinner parties, he took Christians, had them covered in tar, tied to wooden stakes and then burnt. Apparently, according to the horrible host, they were perfect for illuminating his magnificent gardens!
And there you have it in a nutshell! It’ll certainly be interesting to see what the continuing archaeology brings forth and, rest assured, your ‘UK roving reporter’ or ‘nosy Norfolk news seeker’ will be looking out for updates.
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Post CommentFrosty Johnson
On October 13, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Good post i love hearing stuff about the Romans.
lillyrose
On October 14, 2009 at 10:56 am
I always found the Romans quite exciting but I think Nero pushed the boundaries just a tad to far! my goodness, they will uncover a gimp mask next! Fantastic article told me all I needed and wanted to know!
mystery writter
On October 14, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I like Roman history but history period it seems.A well put together well worth reading article.Disnt know much about Nero but I do now thanks to your article.Nereo sounded like a charactor and a half and wonder what else they will find.
Katien
On October 14, 2009 at 6:47 pm
An absorbing description of Nero’s lifestyle. The goings on sound almost as bad as Eastenders! (TV soap in UK).
deklin42
On October 14, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Mever been to Rome. Now i want to.
suruchi
On October 15, 2009 at 9:54 am
good article about Rome.. i really liked it.
jessymai
On October 15, 2009 at 10:36 am
It will be interesting to discover how the dining room turned. I favour the water theory but that period in history is full of surprises.
Valerie Curtiss
On October 15, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Being British, our family must have some roman ancestors, as looking at pictures, they do sport the Roman nose. I now live in the US, in Montana but like to read historic novels and your article was well written.
dawngordon
On October 15, 2009 at 1:54 pm
interesting, then apparently the man went nuts and burned a city or something, and I thought nero killed himself..interesting find
Sourav
On October 15, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Lovely piece of history. Thanks for this historic journey!
Adam Henry Sears
On October 15, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Looks like Nero was a sick man. Interesting article. I too like learning of some of Ancient Rome’s customs and mysteries. Good job on this one; the writing style fits the material.
Just one thing: “In 64AD the well documented Great Fire of Rome took place when around two-thirds of the city were [[should be was]] destroyed.” If you were talking about thirds the verb form would be were, but you are talking about a city, so the verb form is was.
Thanks for sharing, and have a good day.