Ancient Roman bathroom humor: They were just like us!

In a latrine in ancient Antiochia ad Cragum (modern-day Turkey), archaeologists uncovered mosaics that’ll make you laugh… or blush. These aren’t your average ancient art pieces; they are full-on dirty jokes! And they’re as cheeky as anything you’d find scrawled on the back of a bathroom door today.

The mosaics, dating back to the 2nd century AD, portray well-known characters from Roman and Greek mythology—only this time with a hilarious twist. One shows Narcissus, who’s supposed to be obsessed with his own reflection, but here? He’s ogling his private parts instead! Yeah, not exactly how you’d see him in a museum.

Then there’s Ganymedes, a handsome Trojan youth who, in mythology, was kidnapped by Zeus. The twist? Zeus appears as a heron instead of an eagle, using a sponge to clean Ganymedes’ genitals. Ancient Romans had no chill! They were clearly poking fun at the very myths they held dear, and it all happened in a public restroom!

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But it’s not just about the jokes. These mosaics offer a rare glimpse into the personalities of people who lived 2,000 years ago. According to Michael Hoff, one of the archaeologists leading the excavation, the humor in these mosaics connects us to those who lived in Antiochia ad Cragum in a way that buildings or temples can’t. It’s personal, relatable, and very, very human.

Who knew that a Roman toilet could be so revealing?