Monday, December 12, 2005

Some Things Never Change

I just came across this web page, which purports to show graffiti preserved on the walls of the doomed Roman city of Pompeii.

Here's one that reminds me of the restaurant ratings we have here in LA:
(in the vestibule of the House of Cuspius Pansa): The finances officer of the emperor Nero says this food is poison.
Timeless advice:
(in the basilica): A small problem gets larger if you ignore it.
Insults:
(in the basilica): Phileros is a eunuch!
They get much more...colorful.

Check it out
if you're interested

I've always been fascinated with the private lives of everyday people throughout history. What did the typical Roman family discuss around the equivalent of the kitchen table? What was the daily routine? Years ago, I picked up a book, "Growing Up in Medieval London: The Experience of Childhood in History," which explored just that question during one period in history.

Another book I picked up, "The Penguin Book of Childhood" uses letters and quotations from children and adults throughout history to illustrate how some attitudes and perceptions have changed, and how some have stayed the same: The great Greek philosopher Socrates wrote something over 2400 years ago that's been repeated generation after generation through the ages:
Children today love luxury too much. They have execrable manners, flaunt authority, have no respect for their elders. They no longer rise when their parents or teachers enter the room. What kind of awful creatures will they be when they grow up?

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