Decipher the mystery of Greek sex god leg

Portrait of Greek sexual and reproductive god Priapus has an oversized penis that is a sign of sexual disorder and infertility.

Mysterious leg of Greek sex god

For a long time, people still considered the penis of the Priapus god as a symbol of masculinity and propagation capacity. Portrait of this god is seen on the wall of the Vetti palace hall in Pompeii, a Roman ruins from the first century AD, located near Naples, Italy . However, according to a new study published in Urology, this may be a sign of sexual disorder and infertility.

Portrait of sex god Priapus on the wall of the hall of Vetti mansion in Pompeii, Italy.(Photo: Discovery News)

"An asymmetric penis is a characteristic sign of hyperkeratosis, more specifically, a circumcision of the foreskin, " Discovery News June 12 quoted Francesco Maria Galassi, Imperial London university doctor. He is the co-author of the study.

"In this case, the skin is not enough to turn over, cover the foreskin," Dr. Galassi said.

Genital defects , including foreskin has long been described in historical art works. However, why does a god of fertility and sexuality suffer from severe foreskin disease?

Galassi said that, at that time, the incidence of foreskin was quite high in the Pompeii male community. Therefore, people assign these images to the god Priapus to dispel the anatomy and penis function defects.

Jessica Hughes, an ancient faculty member, Open English University, also concurred. Most likely, artisans also have a foreskin defect.

"The sacrificial sacrifice of a body made in Italy between the 4th and 2nd century BC also shows that the penis has a sealed foreskin, as in the painting of Priapus in Pompeii, " Hughes said.

"It is a challenge for us to find out why artists choose a person with a biological defect to symbolize prosperity and health, " Hughes said. "Perhaps, we must look at the painting from a symbolic perspective of the power of a god, not limited to biology like a human being."