---
title: Priapus Fresco
author: Carole Raddato
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11277/priapus-fresco/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Priapus Fresco

_Authored by [Carole Raddato](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/FollowingHadrian/)_

## Image File

[![Priapus Fresco](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/11277.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/11277.jpg)

## Image Caption

[Fresco](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Fresco/) of the [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) of fertility Priapus depicted weighing his very large phallus against a bag containing money. Painted on the [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) of the vestibule of the House of the Vettii in [Pompeii](https://www.worldhistory.org/pompeii/), the fresco probably symbolised the economic prosperity of the owners of the house, the Vettii brothers, who became wealthy through [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/).

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Carole maintains the popular ancient history photo-blog Following Hadrian, where she travels the ancient world in the footsteps of Emperor Hadrian.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/FollowingHadrian)
- [X/Twitter Profile](https://twitter.com/carolemadge)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Raddato, C. (2019, September 27). Priapus Fresco. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11277/priapus-fresco/>
### Chicago
Raddato, Carole. "Priapus Fresco." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 27, 2019. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11277/priapus-fresco/>.
### MLA
Raddato, Carole. "Priapus Fresco." *World History Encyclopedia*, 27 Sep 2019, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11277/priapus-fresco/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Carole Raddato](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/FollowingHadrian/ "User Page: Carole Raddato"), published on 27 September 2019. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.