Archaeologist Stefano De Caro will give a lecture on the fascinating figure of Pierre-François Hugues, known as Baron d'Hancarville, at the Auditorium of the Pompeii Excavations. The event will be held on Friday, November 22nd at 5:00 PM, organized by the International Association "Friends of Pompeii" (ETS).
Baron d'Hancarville and his works
De Caro will discuss the figure of Hugues, a historical figure known for his unscrupulousness and libertinism in the eighteenth century.
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Anonymous publications and the cult of Priapus
One of Hugues's major works concerns the secret cult of Roman ladies, initially published under the title "Venus and Priapus as Observed in Ancient Gems." This publication, reprinted as "Monuments of the Secret Cult of Roman Ladies," led to his expulsion from Naples. Subsequently, with little regard for the risks involved, he produced "Monuments of the Private Life of the Twelve Caesars," a work based on historical accounts that illustrated the private lives of the emperors with references to Suetonius and Tacitus.
The culture of the eighteenth century
This lecture aims to explore d'Hancarville's life as a reflection of the libertine cultural climate of the eighteenth century, a period in which nobles, adventurers, and scholars of antiquity moved unscrupulously through the folds of contemporary society. It offers an opportunity to reflect on how Hugues's works and actions helped define the era in which he lived.
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