Why, whatever shall I do? Moneyed elites give us a watered-down version of history and ferret away Rome's treasures for their personal amusement? Shock, horror! The next thing you know, they'll tell us we've been fed watered-down religious teachings to keep us under control while the elites have the real knowledge under lock and key!
Can you read this to me? I'm trembling with astonishment...
Can you read this to me? I'm trembling with astonishment...
The real history of Roman life became a smutty secret for "gentlemen's" clubs.
Deemed too shocking for women, children and the lower classes, artefacts that were later labelled pornographic were kept behind locked, and even bricked-up, doors in what became known as the Secret Museum established in 1819 in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
There was also a series of secret rooms in London's British Museum.
On occasion, admittance to the Naples secret chamber was permitted to responsible gentlemen of good moral character, including young males of the wealthy elite enjoying a gap year by undertaking the European Grand Tour to complete their "education".
These same gentlemen could also gain access to a series of peep shows kept under lock and key at Pompeii where specially built steel cabinets kept various frescoes and murals from general view.
The Secret Museum was opened only briefly during the social revolution of the 1960s. It was closed again until 2000. Since 2005 the collection has been housed in a special room. Entry is gained by a separate ticket.
