An archaeological expedition on the Greek island of Astypalaia in 2014 uncovered ancient erotic graffiti etched into limestone, now considered among the oldest found.
Detailing a liaison between two men, the carvings offer insight into the private lives of everyday Ancient Greeks residing on some of the region's most secluded islands, dating back to the 5th or 6th century B.C.E.
Discovering The Erotic Graffiti
During a tour of Astypalaia in 2014, Dr. Andreas Vlachopoulos and his students stumbled upon peculiar images carved into limestone formations overlooking Vathay Bay in the Dodecanese region of Greece.
Among these carvings was the inscription, "Nikasitimos Was Here Mounting Timiona," alongside another depicting two phalluses and the name "DION" (ΔΙΩΝ). Research later confirmed their origin to be the 5th or 6th centuries B.C.E.
The discovery of the carvings initially surprised Dr. Vlachopoulos due to Astypalaia's remote and exposed nature, susceptible to erosion from strong winds and sea currents, making the presence of such intricate historical artifacts unlikely.
Describing the discovery as "monumental in scale," Dr. Vlachopoulos emphasized its significance in a 2014 interview with The Guardian.
"They were what I would call triumphant inscriptions," he explained. "They claimed their own space in large letters that not only expressed sexual desire but talked about the act of sex itself… And that is very, very rare."
The Graffiti In Context Of Ancient Greek Society
While historians note the acceptance of same-sex relationships in Ancient Greece, the findings at Astypalaia stand as some of the earliest evidence of such encounters, adding depth to our understanding of ancient norms.
The inscription's wording suggests a lasting relationship between the depicted individuals rather than a fleeting encounter, offering a nuanced view of ancient social dynamics.
"This graffiti… is not just among the earliest ever discovered," Dr. Vlachopoulos told The Guardian. "By using the verb in the past continuous [tense], it clearly says that these two men were making love over a long period of time, emphasizing the sexual act in a way that is highly unusual in erotic artwork."
The presence of literacy in crafting the erotic graffiti sheds light on the educational attainment of ordinary Ancient Greeks, hinting at broader societal aspects of the time.
"Whoever wrote the erotic inscription referring to Timiona was very well trained in writing," Angelos Matthaiou, a longtime general secretary at the Greek Epigraphic Society, told The Guardian. "The letters have been very skillfully inscribed on the face of the rock, evidence that it was not just philosophers, scholars, and historians who were trained in the art of writing but ordinary people living on islands too."
"We know that Greek islands were inhabited by the third millennium [B.C.E.], but what we have found is evidence that, even then, people were using a coded language of symbols and imagery that was quite sophisticated," Dr. Vlachopoulos stated.
This uncovering provides fresh perspectives into the lives of Astypalaia's ancient residents, indicating the likelihood of further hidden truths waiting to be unearthed.
"Few Greek islands have been properly explored or excavated," Dr. Vlachopoulos concluded. "These findings are testimony to why it is so important that they are."
