Amazing. Apparently they used to draw them for luck!
"In Roman Britain, the phallus (often called the fascinum) was a symbol of protection. It was believed to ward off the evil eye, bring luck and guard people, buildings and journeys from harm. On the empire’s northern frontier, it also made a diplomatic statement: Rome was here, with its symbols; and Rome was in control."
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The oldest example I know of is Hadrian's Wall from ~1700 years ago engraved with a larger than life example.
Amazing. Apparently they used to draw them for luck!
"In Roman Britain, the phallus (often called the fascinum) was a symbol of protection. It was believed to ward off the evil eye, bring luck and guard people, buildings and journeys from harm. On the empire’s northern frontier, it also made a diplomatic statement: Rome was here, with its symbols; and Rome was in control."
A quote from this article: https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/phalluses-rom...
Damn, missed a shot on "Fascinating, apparently they used to..."
I had to look it up to be sure, but fascinating does indeed derive from fascinum.
1. Fascinum = protective phallic charm (object)
2. Fascinare = to exert the magical power of such a charm (action/spell)
3. Fascinate = to hold someone's attention irresistibly, as if casting a spell (metaphorical)
4. Fascinating = inherently gripping, captivating, exciting (modern adjective)
Meaning, kind of, that 'fascinating' means 'as captivating/hypnotic as a penis'
If carved stone phalluses count, Pompeii has loads of those[0] which would knock the date back a few hundred years.
[0] https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/stone-phalluses-of-pompe...