Readers continue to sound off on our recent announcement of an exhibit of Pompeiian porn (see Field Notes, AO 03:05 and The Forum, AO 04:01):
Hear No Evil II
Time was that one could tell the men from the boys because the men knew when to keep quiet. Only adolescents tell all, without restraint.
Please cancel my subscription to Archaeology Odyssey.
Janet R. Banse Blairs, Virginia
Why Object to Nature?
This is the 21st century. Do we still labor under the dark-age suppositions of those ancient church fathers who decided that sex was dirty, nasty, satanic or otherwise tainted and sinful? The Romans would have laughed at our unhealthy, secretive attitude toward a normal human function.
Wes Jernigan Thatcher, Arizona
But That’s What People Did; Why Ignore It?
The people who wrote criticizing you for publishing the article and imploring you to consider their children are wrong. It is their responsibility as parents to control the movies, TV shows, and magazines that their children see. They have no right to try to control what you publish or what I read. I enjoyed the article. The art was part of the lives of the people of Pompeii, and as such it is interesting to me.
Pat Slade Tyler, Texas
No Censorship
I am 63 and should be able to read anything I want. This is what history is about. Please don’t ever censor articles that are an important part of our history.
Joan Wolfe Apple Valley, California
Telling It Straight
I found both the article on Pompeian “pornography” and the subsequent letters amusing. I’m much more disturbed by the subtle sexual brainwashing our kids have been receiving through sitcoms and music videos than I am by a few phallic symbols. I suspect your male readers are simply jealous.
