Pompeis difficile est

The harsh, authoritarian attitude of the new Roman élite comes down to us in several funerary monuments. 

“Pompeis difficile est”

As Cicero wrote, the political life of Rome was tough and competitive, but that of Pompeii even more so:

“in Rome, with the right influence an appointment can be had. In Pompeii it is difficult.”

Memories of these battles for power can be seen on many Pompeii walls: political slogans, outright electoral manifestos written by supporters of the candidates competing for power. Displayed here, one of the campaign slogans from the workshop of Verecundus.

“Vote Trebius, an honest man and aedile."
“Vote Marcus Cerrinius Vatia for aedile, he is worthy of public office. Word of Iarinus.”

A Pompeii citizen, exasperated by these political debates, wrote on a wall:

“Admiror, o pariens, te non cecidisse ruinis, qui tot scriptorum taedia sustineas.”

I am astonished, oh wall, that you have not fallen apart under the weight of all these boring electoral slogans.