These four small frescoes, depicting scenes similar to our comics with figures of men and women and popular exclamations above them, are decorations on the north wall of the caupona or thermopolium of Salvius in Pompeii, Regio VI. They date back to after 50 AD and are currently part of the antiquities collection at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
The thermopolium, or caupona, was a type of eatery and tavern in ancient Rome where hot foods and ready-made drinks could be purchased and enjoyed.
Located on a busy corner between two heavily trafficked streets, the real owner’s name remains unknown; the shop is named after the election poster for Salvius painted on its exterior.
The frescoes that survived Vesuvius's eruption offer a rare insight into the language and lifestyle of Pompeii's lower classes. The images, likely painted quickly by an artist of limited skill—possibly in exchange for goods, as is often the case today—differ from the more refined frescoes found in the wealthy Pompeian villas.
In the first scene, from left to right, a girl is kissing a man. Above her, the phrase "Nolo cum Myrtale!" appears, meaning "I do not want with Myrtale." This could depict a prostitute chosen over Myrtale, or perhaps a new lover replacing a deceased one.
The second scene shows a woman serving wine. The man on the left commands her to bring it: "Hoc!" (Here!), the man on the right responds, "Non mia est!!" (No, it's mine!!), and the impatient woman says: "Qui vol, sumat! Oceane, veni! bibe!" (Whoever wants it, take it. Oceane, come here and drink.)
In the third fresco, two men argue while playing dice, an everyday activity in taverns of the period. After a throw, one shouts, "Exsi!" (You're out!), and the other counters, "Non tria, duas est!" (It's not a three, it's a two!).
The final panel shows two men fighting; the first insists on his victory: "Noxsi, a me trias! ego fui victor!" (You cheat! I rolled a three! I am the victor!). The other, insulting, claims to be the winner: "Orte fellator, ego fui victor!" (A born cocksucker, I won!). The impatient innkeeper orders them to step outside to fight: "Itis! foras rixsatis!" (Go outside if you want to fight!).
