Officina di IG XIV2 – Eromenoi ed erastai in un graffito greco di Stabia (CIL IV Suppl. pars 4 fasc. 3 no. 12228 = EDR180304)
Abstract
This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the erotic graffito from ancient Stabiae CIL IV 4.3 no. 12228 = EDR180304, examined from both epigraphic and metrical perspectives. On the epigraphic level, an autoptic re-examination of the inscription provides an up-to-date assessment of its state of preservation and yields new insights into its letter forms and orthography. Parallels in wording with other Greek inscriptions from ancient Campania are also discussed. On the metrical level, following the hypothesis advanced by Enzo Puglia in 2014, it is suggested that the text may exhibit an ia (3ia?) + chol. + 3ia metrical pattern. As for the content, comparison with both literary and epigraphic sources supports the view that the graffito reinterprets – through an obscene and possibly ironic lens – the institutional erastes-eromenos relationship characteristic of Greek culture.
Submitted: July 18, 2025 | Accepted: Sept. 11, 2025 | Published Dec. 9, 2025 | Language: it
Keywords Homoeroticism • Lettering • Metre • Graffito from Stabiae • Aischrology
Copyright © 2025 Enzo Passa. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/Axon/2532-6848/2025/01/008