The Hermafroditus of the Erotic Cabinet of the Archaeological Museum of Naples in Italy

Pan and Hermaphrodite, Pompeii, Casa dei Dioskouros

Fresco - Water-based pigments on coating - 1-50 AD

Pan surprised a beautiful half-naked young girl and, delighted with his discovery, prepared to rape her.

Pan and Hermafroditus, Pompeii, House of the Dioskouros, Erotic Cabinet, Archaeological Museum of Naples

Pan and Hermafroditus But he is greatly surprised and confused when he lifts the girl's clothing and sees the Hermafroditus's genitals.

He has only one thought in mind: abandon his prey and flee from the shame that has just overcome him.

But the Hermafroditus does not see it that way and wants to keep him there by taking his arm and promising him moments of pure pleasure.

Pan, frightened, refuses and does not even dare to look at the nakedness of the Hermafroditus.

Was the Hermafroditus really asleep when Pan surprised him? Or was he simply pretending to sleep in order to better trap Pan?

This humorous scene reminds us that roles can sometimes be reversed, and that those who appear to be predators can find themselves being preyed upon.

Old satyr and Hermafroditus, Pompeii, Casa di Epidio Sabino

Fresco - Water-based pigments on plaster - 50-79 AD

This fresco could almost represent a typical Dionysian scene were it not for the fact that the nymph who is the object of the satyr's desire is a Hermafroditus with a beautiful chest.

Old satyr and Hermafroditus, Pompeii, House of Epidio Sabino, Erotic Cabinet, Archaeological Museum of Naples

Old satyr and Hermafroditus Hermafroditus is sitting on a bench, almost completely naked, under the lecherous gaze of the old satyr, who is behind him and holding him firmly by the arm to prevent him from running away.

However, it seems that this old satyr has nothing to fear, given the clearly visible state of sexual arousal of the Hermafroditus, who has an erection.

Indeed, Hermafroditus has grabbed the satyr's beard and turns his head towards him, awaiting a kiss.

Next to the strange couple, a Bacchante stands and watches the scene in astonishment as she sees the Hermafroditus with his erect penis.

She has a crown of vine leaves in her hair and holds a cup filled with wine ready to offer to Hermafroditus.

In her other hand, she holds a thyrsus with a tambourine attached to it.

Hermafroditus, Pompeii, Temple of Apollo

Hermafroditus Sculpture - Marble - Late 1st century BC-Early 1st century AD

This beautiful marble statue, representing a Hermafroditus, comes from the Temple of Apollo in Pompeii.

It is not surprising that the Hermafroditus is associated with Apollo, since he was born of the love between Hermes and Aphrodite.

We know that Hermes was Apollo's best friend.

Hermafroditus were considered extremely beautiful, being the offspring of the most beautiful goddess and Hermes, who was also very handsome.

In truth, the son of Hermes and Aphrodite was a young man of remarkable beauty.

One day, while he was bathing in the waters of the Salmacis fountain, where a nymph lived, she could not resist his beauty and joined him in the water.

She embraced him, begging the gods to unite them forever.

Her wish was immediately granted.

Hermafroditus They became one and the same person, androgynous, with a woman's breasts and a man's genitals.

This statue represents a Hermafroditus.

He modestly tries to hide his genitals, as Aphrodite would have done when she emerged from her bath.

He has not yet realised that the genitals he is shyly hiding are no longer those of a woman, but those of a man.

This androgynous being was named “Hermafroditus”, combining the names of his two parents.

Satyr attempting to mate with a hermaphrodite, Pompeii

Fresco - Water-based pigments on coating - 1-50 AD

Satyr attempting to mate with a Hermafroditus, Pompeii, Erotic Cabinet, Archaeological Museum of Naples

Satyr trying to copulate This fresco, from Pompeii, shows a satyr who would like to mate with a Hermafroditus, but the latter is not at all of the same opinion.

However, they are both completely naked, which could suggest mutual consent at the beginning of their encounter.

Unfortunately for the satyr, events take a different turn from what he had hoped for.

We can see the satyr's erection, his legs spread apart and his left hand holding the Hermafroditus, while his right hand tries to push away the hand of his prey, who pushes the satyr's head back and prevents him from looking at her.

On the ground, we can see the satyr's thyrsus, decorated with pine cones.

Satyr and Hermafroditus, Herculaneum

Fresco - Water-based pigments on plaster (11 × 11.8 cm) 1-50 AD