Evidence from a tomb in Pompeii’s necropolis may point to the fact that Greek was used alongside Latin in the city before the volcanic eruption that destroyed it in 79AD.
Archaeologists working in the necropolis of Porta Sano east of Pompeii’s main centre, found tufts of white hair, part of an ear as well as fragments of fabric and bone in a tomb that bore the inscription of a freed slave, Marcus Venerius Secundio. According to an ABC report, archaeologists believe Secundio helped to organise performances in Greek in the ancient Roman city.
The discovery was the first confirmation for experts that Greek, the language of culture in the Mediterranean, was used with Latin in Pompeii.
The director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, said in a statement: “”That performances in Greek were organised is evidence of the lively and open cultural climate which characterised ancient Pompeii.”
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Given the large size of the tomb in which Marcus Venerius was found, Mr Zuchtriegel told Associated Press that it was clear that the freed slave had made a good living in Pompeii.
“He did not become super rich, but certainly he reached a considerable level of wealth,” Mr Zuchtriegel said.