Did Ancient Romans Use Tattoos? SPQR

In the popular movie Gladiator we see Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russel Crowe) Sporting an SPQR tattoo as a Mark of the legion. Was that historical? Did the ancient Romans really use tattoos? Let's find out!
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A Roman legion was the largest unit of the Roman army, consisting of centuries as the basic units.
For most of the Roman Imperial period, the legions formed the Roman army's elite heavy infantry, recruited exclusively from Roman citizens, while the remainder of the army consisted of auxiliaries, who provided additional infantry and the vast majority of the Roman army's cavalry.
A legion consisted of several cohorts of heavy infantry known as legionaries. It was almost always accompanied by one or more attached units of auxiliaries, who were not Roman citizens and provided cavalry, ranged troops and skirmishers to complement the legion's heavy infantry.
From the time of Gaius Marius onwards, legionaries received 225 denarii a year; this basic rate remained unchanged until Domitian, who increased it to 300 denarii. The soldiers did not receive all the money in cash, as the state deducted a clothing and food tax from their pay. To this wage, a legionary on active campaign would hope to add the booty of war. Slaves could also be claimed from the prisoners of war and divided amongst the legion for later sale, which would bring in a sizeable supplement to their regular pay.
All legionary soldiers would also receive a praemia on the completion of their term of service: a sizeable sum of money and/or a plot of good farmland; farmland given to veterans often helped in establishing control of the frontier regions and over rebellious provinces.
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#Metatron #AncientRomans #Tatoos

[@janteo1]

I think he makes these videos only to have an excuse to wear full armour at home

[@LeDank]

Metatron doesn’t need an excuse. That’s just what he wears all the time

[@talentless2048]

he's Metatron our Emperor and we are his "noble ones"

[@kevinsullivan3448]

As if anyone needs an excuse to wear armor at home.

[@mooncorp212]

@@LeDank that sounds like a Metatron fact.

[@davidsingle9576]

Please everyone boycott China and it's products don't buy cheap made in China armour and weapons . please don't fuel China's modern war machine or it's efforts in the pacific

[@JuliaFnord]

Fun fact: a few years ago a robber in Brazil was captured by two tattoo artists, who tattooed "i'm a thief" into his forehead. Both tattoo artists were arrested for doing it, probably never knowing that they were engaging on a millennial practice.

[@gunnertlc7728]

Milenar practice

[@ks7266]

"Sou ladrão e vacilão"

[@viniciusdomenighi6439]

pride of them.

[@markfergerson2145]

There's the novel and film "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" in which the titular girl does the same thing to her rapist, except on his chest. She is not arrested.

[@Lou-ry6yq]

@@gunnertlc7728 millenary practice.

[@mattn9216]

The Latin pitch at the end earned a like by itself. Excellent video as always very much appreciated.

[@muammarnajal3724]

But i though the romans spoke emglish with british accents😂😂

[@schedelworld]

Same here, I was ready to click off and then he started speaking so well and so naturally. When he asked for it, I had to click the like!

[@KairoMontano]

Wait till the end to give a like... Come on!

[@hieug.rection1920]

“How old are tattoos?” Old enough for the mosaic laws to ban them. Which means they’d been common enough that they existed far before that.

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

The “Mosaic Laws” as presented in Torah are no earlier than the 4th century BCE - a Hellenistic composition through and through.

[@supermaximusfagetti9836]

Ötzi the mummy had tattoos, and he was about 3350-3105 BC

[@Servano2143]

@@dorianphilotheates3769 literally over half of the scholastic sphere knows that the Torah is early Iron Age. The evidence is intimate knowledge of the peoples, nations, and cultural details that was specific to the Levant in the late bronze age to early iron age.

[@remypascal4872]

Nearly every known primitive drive, idea of posing or mysticism, such art, wordless expression was done in such ancient times of heros and losers, glory or being nothing - at some individuals and groups. So...

[@akdele5]

@@dorianphilotheates3769 BC*

[@s.w.4409]

These roman military markings where probably quite small tattoos. It takes far longer to ink someone without a modern tattooing machine. Also a smaller tattoo means less chance for infections.

[@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y]

You've probably seen Pacific Islanders get tattoos, it looks like it would take an hour to put a band around the upper arm, or forearm.

[@praetorianstride5948]

An arm band can take 3-4 hours depending on artist and how thorough they color it in.

[@praetorianstride5948]

A simple arm band *

[@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y]

@@praetorianstride5948 OK. I just looked it up, and I was wrong: finishing a traditional tattoo can take years. They only use one color, though.

[@rehte8707]

@@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y yea I was gonna say since I assume you don't have any tattoos but as a guy who got it done the quick way with modern equipment, tattoos take fucking ages

[@BurnRoddy]

I believe Scythian merecenaries wore tattoos prominently throughout the Iron Age and were in fact recognized by their designs as well.

[@-Zevin-]

This is correct, we have direct archeological evidence of this because we have uncovered kurgans (Scythian burial mounds) Some of these are in permafrost and hold insanely well preserved artifacts including mummified human bodies. These Scythian bodies are so well preserved they still have the skin on, and the tattoos are plainly visible. It's fascinating stuff, it's why I had these exact tattoos copied directly from the mummies and tattooed on my arms; being a big history buff myself, and having ancestry in ancient Scythia.

[@diversityforisrael2305]

​@@-Zevin- Imagine getting a warrior tattoo without ever having worn a shield in your life XD

[@-Zevin-]

@@diversityforisrael2305 Oh sorry, was I supposed to go around pillaging and attacking people with bows in a Scythian war party to "earn" my tattoos? It's 2021 nobody is "wearing a shield" into battle. lmao

[@benderrodriguez5425]

@@-Zevin- tbh tho, that would make for a great story.

[@-Zevin-]

@@benderrodriguez5425 The going on raids part? I guess It would make a good story in a prison, or a mental asylum: "How did you get those tats bro?" "I had to earn them first, I believe I'm a 1st century Scythian tribal leader and I raided a Walmart with a bow, dragged the manager behind my horse, That's how I ended up in here, 25 to life.."

[@raver377]

"the latin word for tattoo is 'stigma' and its interesting that its still used in the english language but it still has some negative conotations" .... sooo would you say there is a certain... stigma associated with the word 'stigma'?

[@wookie-zh7go]

I should not be as obsessed as I am with why this came to be.

[@ErebosGR]

It was a Greek word before it was adopted into Latin. And it's still used in modern Greek, figuratively mostly. στίγμα (stígma, “brand”), from the verb στίζω (stízō, “I mark”).

[@wookie-zh7go]

Thank you for the extra info, it makes a bit more sense now.

[@vini6391]

There's a integralist organization in Brazil that use this symbol Σ

[@Tito_Viera]

Who else remember immediately the tattoo of Russell Crowe's character in "Gladiator" after read the title of this video?

[@yourebelscum3912]

I do now! Lol!

[@chadfalardeau5396]

First thought

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

Second thought was of an old veteran I knew who had SPQR on his right upper arm.

[@ragnarthorson2066]

yep

[@owenshebbeare2999]

Damn, that was a bad film, in terms of of historical accuracy. At least it didn't make the same mistake as in Braveheart in claiming to be historical. Mel Gibson's attempts at historical portrayals are laughable, not least The Patriot and Braveheart.

[@happyhourk12]

I always love using Augustin of Hippo’s letter where he relates ordination to tattoos when people say priests shouldn’t have ink.

[@ostrowulf]

KZbin recommeds this video as "people who watch Scholagladiatoria also watch this" Me: Yeah... including me, I have been a subscriber for a long time.

[@markfergerson2145]

I read a series of science fiction novels involving time travel that has a character with an iron collar inscribed "escaped slave" who expresses relief that he was not tattooed. Apparently the collar would be removed after a period of good behavior. I've always wondered how much of that was fictional.

[@littlekong7685]

I think much of that would depend on the household the slave belonged to (or the company that owned them), or the county which they resided. Some companies were known to be quite brutal to slaves of any origin, while some households used silk bands to mark house or pleasure slaves. And some owners were known to be quite kind (for Roman slave owners) to their slaves, so much so that laws had to be passed to stop so many being freed after the masters passing.

[@crose1466]

What book?

[@markfergerson2145]

@@crose1466 Can't recall author or titles. The premise was temporary time-portals started opening allowing people to move from one era to another. A group in roughly our time decided to try to police the effect, sending expeditions into other times to set up some kind of barricades or inject social stigmas against going near the portals. So naturally they intercepted a lot of accidental time travelers and had to try to integrate them into the modern era. Hilarity ensued.

[@ZenexTheZealous]

The video is really well edited, adding scenery like hadrian's wall and the sea during the episode of the satyricon really elevate the video in quality Well done, metatron!

[@lamwen03]

I tore a finger inside a Xerox machine, got a load of toner ( carbon black) inside it. 50 years later it's still easily visible

[@silverarrow5507]

I just submitted an essay about (Tattoos associations with crime and honour) I wrote about the history of tattoos and some cultures perspective. I kinda hoped you uploaded this video 2 months ago haha. Thank you soo much again for teaching us again, I really appreciate that!

[@Herbaling]

Sounds like a dope topic. How was the essay received?

[@silverarrow5507]

@@Herbaling Thank you, It went great!!

[@joel4225]

Not even naming my dude Ötzi 😭

[@BioFake1]

Who's the mummy he speaks of at the very beginning of the video ? Yeah, you guessed it, it's Ötzi ;)

[@virniedumaguin9325]

Hello Brother Rafael I love your work and hello from invicta your awesome Romainvicta!

[@Satanthony]

The level of detail in this video is astonishing. Thank you for making it.

[@metatronyt]

Thank you! The next upload tomorrow (on a different topic) is going to be even more detailed :)

[@harlequingnoll5]

Oof serious problem (running from) when publicly declaring yourself a runaway slave is decided to be the good option.

[@TheFivetimesdead]

Yep, my thoughts exactly...

[@thomaschristopherwhite9043]

Always a joy to see a new upload from you brotha!

[@jacobmeza91]

In North America especially (modernLatin America ) Aztec and maya and many other tribes tattoos where very common, idk why tattoos have a strangely deep and long history

[@juanme555]

The more barbaric, the more tattooed.

[@manolomartinez5033]

@@juanme555 This but unironically.

[@Surrealiantx]

Salve Metatron good sir! Another incredible and informative video. Love your work!!

[@revkaelenelord]

I am really enjoying your videos regarding Roman history. I am writing the unknown ( mostly ) story of Pilatus. I have been using almost 700 pages of material from actual correspondence between Pontius Pilate and the emperor's of that era. So much of it is so personal and your information brings the human exploration by science and data of the Romans of that era as the added flavour to enhance my book that I have named, " Pilatus " . It will bring so much added flavor of what growing up Roman was like. You have now become one of my favorite sources of great reference sources. Thank You. One of these days, I would love to hear what you have found out about Pontius Pilate in regards to his beheading along with his two children and wife, for becoming Christian, due to the healing of his two children's disabilities by an Apostle, who was most likely Paul.

[@ReactionaryKulak]

Hey, interesting comment, & I know it’s over a year, but can you answer this question: Is the letter of Pilate describing lesus fake? I always thought it was, but still wonder.

[@revkaelenelord]

@@ReactionaryKulak Jesus is a man of great historical and Spiritual importance. The correspondence between Pilate and the Emperor about Him, adds additional historical corroboration, leaving little doubt to His Reality. P. S. - Wonder is one of the first steps for curiousity. Curiousity brings forth questions, and questions awaken the mind to all possibilities.

[@keithallardice6139]

Fascinating ... as always! Thanks, stay safe and have a good one!

[@chepman08]

Great job as always Metatron. I see that you have invested time resources on improving the quality of your channel. I appreciate that.

[@mtgAzim]

Have you ever considered doing a video series about the old Roman Gods? That would be really neat! ^_^

[@wauliepalnuts6134]

*_LOL FAKE GODS._*

[@Vandyno]

@@wauliepalnuts6134 Have a real one I should know about?

[@DV-xu7ps]

He probably thinks of that desert ghoul yahweh (piss be upon him) he worships

[@theknightofart8169]

Very nice video Raf!

[@arnulfomoreno5234]

Great video and great topic! Hope you explore the use of tattoos with other ancient cultures.

[@dronillon2578]

Thank you for another fantastic video. The production quality is excelent! Filming in some historical roman location would improve it even more though. Damn I wish I could sponsor a roman villa for you.

[@philliphopkins6903]

Absolutely brilliant blog again 👍

[@perstyr]

Excellent video, and I loved the outro!

[@jondysnach]

Interestingly(in the english speaking world at least) if you go back to even my parents generation prior to the 1990's. Only 3 groups of people really had tattoo's, Criminals, members of the military and rockstars. it is only in the modern day that they have started to become more commonly accepted. I do wonder if that tradition comes from the romans to a certain degree.

[@KroM234]

Excellent topic and excellent well researched video!

[@MagaldiMateus]

The art of tattoo is usually linked to its social usage, so you can imagine that even the legion marks were very simple and underdeveloped. You can find examples of great and advanced tattooing in some of the brazilian indigenous peoples as well as other cultures were tattoos were more significant.

[@tayebizem3749]

Congrats 800k metatron you deserved 1M by now🎉❤

[@whatidontknow4497]

Great video!!

[@LaughingSkull1992]

Thank you for uploading Glad to learn something new everytime

[@Mick-hp4yg]

You randomly popped into my head a few minutes ago then this video was recommended to me. Kind of creepy, but always happy to get a new vid 👍

[@AleksandrPodyachev]

In the Rick Riordan series, the Roman demigod camp brands the campers with a hot iron to indicate length of service

[@tobinfromfireemblem9742]

That's metal

[@reedy_9619]

I totally understand and dont really mind the use of scars for markings but using a red iron seems excessivly painful

[@fearofworlds2527]

@@reedy_9619 Well there is kind of a point. A red hot iron sign will burn the skin, stop the bleeding, and keep it from getting infected which was rather dangerous back then

[@therainbowgulag.]

Great video. Fascinating content!!

[@faegirdariusson2151]

I really like yer new Latin outros ^^

[@p0xus]

I don't think what Legio a soldier is a part of would be a part of the tattoo. Rank? Yeah, more dots = higher rank. But a soldiers Legion isn't a permanent thing. That soldier could very well be transferred to other Legions, or merger, etc. A permenent mark for the Legion wouldn't be ideal.

[@Riceball01]

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe the tattoo was of a legionary eagle or something to the effect of, "You're in the Army now!".

[@p0xus]

@@Riceball01 I somewhat think that would be too complicated. The writings said a "series of dots" correct? It could very well be as simple as a series of dots. EDIT: 5:57 "Inscribed with permanent dots in the flesh"

[@1lighthorse]

A series of dots may also be a description of how they are applied so possibly something like "LEG."?

[@RealMakoi]

This was very interesting. Thank you for a lesson in history!

[@kekbur249]

Awesome and interesting video!

[@munckintattoolover24]

Great video! I was also wondering is there any written accounts of POWs from say Gaul or Germania having tattoos?

[@sheep1ewe]

Honestly You deserve more subscribers.

[@metatronyt]

Thank you for that!

[@paultowl1963]

Interesting and informative. Thanks

[@lucianoleonetti7864]

Nice to remind the steps in soldiers identification: when enrolled the recruits would receive the "signaculum" a real dog tag made by lead, to be kept around the neck. During the probation period ("probatio") this was the only identification sign. Only at the end of probatio and after the swear of allegiance they got also the tattoo.

[@anthonypfannenstein4894]

Great video! That armor is bad ass man!

[@MrPittbull30]

Interesting and informative as always Metatron. Senātus Populusque Rōmānus!

[@MjC7192]

Hello, I am glad you finally came up on KZbin I have watched every episode of Time Team but als really am interested in history ...as a ex U.S. Army I can say that tattoos can kind of be cmmon it like life all depends on the person I did and so did a couple of guys who I served with over seas get a tattoo to honor the guys who we knew that did not make it back so just sayin in history military things have been around a long time...Thank you very much for your videos I love them.

[@Redhand1949]

Interesting subject! Thanks.

[@bastisonnenkind]

Good video! But why is the ship at 13:00 going backwards against the wind?

[@DivineHellas]

😂 I was thinking the same

[@chrischilleen5131]

For future reference if so usage is desired: Epitome is pronounced "eh-pit-oh-mee". Dont hate me, I liked and subscribed! Great content as always, legionarius!

[@agricola9171]

How much is a set of Lorica segmentata like yours and where can I get one?

[@metatronyt]

Fabrica cacti on facebook. Price depends on the model

[@Sawtooth44]

that moment when you recognise 2 emperor's names in the video from playing a video game

[@marekverescak2493]

what videogame?

[@Sawtooth44]

@@marekverescak2493 the Fate series specifically Fate/Grand Order Emperor Nero of the Saber Class Emperor Caliguia of the Berserker Class fair warning though, there timeline is not the same as ours and the summons are only a portion of the full legend

[@HeavyMetalGamingHD]

@@Sawtooth44 those two emperors are pretty much common knowledge as really bad and mad emperors. It's almost like saying "I recognized caesar because of a video game." Everybody knows caesar.

[@Sawtooth44]

@@HeavyMetalGamingHD never heard of them till i played fate Caesar ive known about since around primary school but those 2 where never mentioned

[@Sawtooth44]

@@-_pi_- look at my previous comment

[@Dai_Abdurrahman]

You inspired me alot my dream is it to have a livestream with Ou fradello

[@GraupeLie]

Fascinating! I didn't really know too much about tattoos in Ancient Rome, other than the bit with the slaves...By the way, just have to say that (as someone who's studied Latin) I LOVE listening to you speaking Latin!

[@eikduff]

Love your videos.

[@rolandscherer1574]

A great lecture, thank you! I would be interested to know to what extent circumcision was widespread in Rome? I once read about soldiers who had themselves circumcised because they were stationed in desert areas and wanted to avoid inflammation from the sand. Could that be? I know that in Greece circumcision was considered offensive, was that also the case in Rome?

[@StoneTitan]

Hello Metaton I think you could make some interesting videos reacting to "Terracotta Army-Ancient China-Real Faces-Part 1" or Some of the other recreations by "Panagiotis Constantinou"

[@simoniusart4724]

Am I the only one who was confused when he said Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus while showing a picture of Cicero (5:30) ? However, nice video, Metatron!

[@kanrakucheese]

I love seeing the names of figures printed out on screen when you mention them. Greatly helps anyone wanting to look further into their works. You say the Thracian priestess is “clearly” tattoos. What says they’re tattoos and not (removable) body paint?

[@TaraConti]

I'd love to see how well their tattoo removal process works! I don't know if would work with the modern inks we use today though. Also I'd Love to see how red their red inks turned out on the skin & how much they faded. Red was always a problem color. Imagine being able to time travel & having to try an explain your tatts!? 😂😬

[@lexington476]

How did someone prove they were a Roman citizen if questioned? Did they carry some kind of ID?

[@bertellijustin6376]

Interesting thought. There’s would be records of you. Taxes paid, properties owned, military service and what not. I imagine it was sort of we all know that guy or we know his family or someone else that can vouch for him or conversely maybe as simple as he speaks the right way and wears the right clothes so he’s obviously one of us. I’m curious now.

[@stairwayunicorn4861]

a little off topic, but can you point me to any peer reviewed journals on the subject of Ohagura (Japanese teeth lacquering)

[@decode.666]

That ending was EPIC! Please, do that every time now.

[@99IronDuke]

Another interesting video.

[@Wooteq44]

Just a small thing but I'm pretty sure the image used for Vegetius at 5.30 is actually an image of Cicero. Really interesting video though.

[@karenburrows9184]

Another great vid, Metatron, however: Caesar si viveret, ad remum dareris, because in the animation of the tale from Satyricon, your ship is going backwards.

[@DiocletianLarius]

6:48 I thought about that, like Roman legionaries having tattoos showing numbers like XXI or XV, or even the whole Legion's nickname (Rapax/Apollinaris) in their arms, but I think that would be more informal than anything, if the Roman army would have marked their men with the legion's number/name, what happens when you reassign that troops to another legion? They were tattooed again? It wouldn't be useful, a lot of soldiers went through different legions around their lives and It would be weird and notable if some guy named Titus had his whole arm with a list of Roman numbers, I guess some historian would've mention that. Same if they retired or something, they could've been mistaken with desertors and be stopped by the authorities every few meters.

[@MrTrilbe]

I was just about to say the same thing about retired Legionnaires and thought maybe they had a second tattoo when they left to show they've left legitimately, but then you'd get deserters just paying some shady tattooist to get it done, IF they could get far enough away from their posting and find one, I wonder if there's any records of anyone being busted for illegal tattooing at the time. Side note: underworld tattooist, idea stolen from myself for D&D use.

[@bertellijustin6376]

I would assume they had to carry their papers or some symbol of their being honorably discharged. Like a freed gladiator had to have his rudis

[@bertellijustin6376]

I would assume they had to carry their papers or some symbol of their being honorably discharged. Like a freed gladiator had to have his rudis

[@bertellijustin6376]

I would assume they had to carry their papers or some symbol of their being honorably discharged. Like a freed gladiator had to have his rudis

[@bertellijustin6376]

I would assume they had to carry their papers or some symbol of their being honorably discharged. Like a freed gladiator had to have his rudis

[@pamndz1]

I need you to get a tan, and go full “Roman soldier in the field.” You’re the closest I’ll ever get to seeing a real Italian Roman soldier

[@sanderson9338]

Nah he is too fat to be a Roman soldier

[@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y]

Romans were pretty short back then.

[@sanderson9338]

Short n fat like lego.

[@varolussalsanclar1163]

@@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y nope

[@Oxide-Actual]

@@sanderson9338 what? Hes not fat.

[@Carldehaese]

Otzi was a rocker in his time.

[@dangerdan2592]

Must have been a drummer.

[@NefariousKoel]

Otzi was an adventurer.. until he took an arrow to the back.

[@karliikaiser3800]

On my way to Rome whilst walking through Foligno. I saw the letters SPQF on the manholes. Senatus Populusque Foligno was even written on the city hall or sthg like that.

[@Brokenlance]

I remember reading an article a couple years ago suggesting that even knights would have tattoo's of their coat of arms. I really need to dig around and find it because that would be super interesting if this turned out to be true.

[@Matt_History]

I'd imagine not just because coats of arms are so complex we can barely get that detailed today. Much less back then

[@javiergames6943]

I love your videos

[@demetric4476]

Salve Metatron! Please tell me where you purchased this Lorica Segmentata?

[@metatronyt]

Fabrica cacti on facebook. Just tell them I sent you

[@demetric4476]

@@metatronyt awesome! Te do gratias!

[@luistpuig]

Great video.

[@Parmesana]

wow...the removal of tattoo..was amazing..wonder if it works, or just on that type of 'ink'..painful, to say the least.

[@pierrefranckx6363]

Why is the galley sailing backwards??? I love the video though. Extremely interesting.

[@Rinocapz]

Can you show more of the text on screen of text you quote? Anyway great content as always

[@-smp-scientificmethodpersp838]

8k views and over 1k likes in 3 hours. Not bad Metatron. Not bad.

[@lalolal7458]

Hola meta, la foto que has usado para vegecio es de Cicerón

[@nicolasjuandecardenas7921]

Always illuminating.

[@paoloviti6156]

Interesting but I'm not really surprised as the Roman legionary was much in contact with tattooed people such as the Picts and was, from what I understood, also the Gauls and Celtic people as it was apparently quite common. What I was a bit surprised that it wasn't that common amongst Legionnaires to have extended tattoos! Anyway as usual you did an excellent job again 👍👍

[@rev.paull.vasquez4001]

This is the specific evidence that he is implicitly calling upon to say they would think tattoos were barbaric. I was kind of surprised that Metatron didn’t explicitly cite this briefly.

[@auscam6666]

the guys in my Legion group here in Brisbane have S.P.Q.R. on our upper arms.

[@VladVladislav790]

Hey Metatron, what's latin for Don't develop an app with me?

[@ezrafaulk1799]

Hey Raff, remember how in one of your recent livestreams I sent you a superchat asking you if you were aware of public nudity being normal in Japan before the Meiji Reformation? I was wondering if you would ever do a video discussing how nudity was normal throughout the non-Judeo/Christian/Islamic world even POST Antiquity, and how it became taboo. It'd probably be an interesting watch for those who've been feeling embarrassed about nudity, ESPECIALLY if at the end, you mention some interesting ways in which people in different parts of the world have tried to help people realize how it's only because of CONDITIONING, like how Japan's Studio TRIGGER released the anime Kill la Kill, which uses its gratuitous fanservice to convey that message.

[@ErebosGR]

Public nudity is still considered normal in Japan in certain context, like onsen (hot springs), sentou (bath houses) and comedy. The Abrahamic religions have truly poisoned the world with the idea of shame.

[@ezrafaulk3076]

@@ErebosGR on THAT, we agree; humans DID invent clothing for some LEGIT reasons, but they're a TOOL, and one shouldn't HAVE to have a tool on them at all times and feel SHAME for not. To make that point REALLY clear, I myself am naked at the time of my typing and posting this reply.

[@ezrafaulk3076]

@@ErebosGR also, I was well aware that the Japanese BATHED naked publicly, but what sort of COMEDY performances in modern Japan involve public nudity? I'm curious as to that.

[@jamesrolfanep4489]

Question: metatron are the romans the first to use abbreviation letters like in modern times for example NATO, WHO, NBA and so on?

[@KenNakajima07]

9:11 Rare sighting of doctore sparring Retiarius style.

[@Fanny-Fanny]

Dear Metatron. Please can you tell me the correct Roman / Latin spelling of the phrase 'Taxes Paid' as it would have appeared on slaves, as per circa 4:44 of this video? I would love nothing more than to have this authentic phrase tattooed upon my person, in salute and fraternity with those poor humans who history treated so unfairly. Thank you !

[@wilkogniawilkwody3434]

Hello there

[@gunnar6674]

Ave, Kenobi legatus!

[@johnathanadams6378]

Kenobi strategos!

[@Privacidadpls]

General Kenoobi

[@JesusFriedChrist]

Finita est, Anakin. Habeo princeps in terra.

[@fiddleback1568]

The Scythian Mummies have a bunch. Turns out the same felt stencils were used on a lot of them.

[@flmbprt]

Troppo forte 'sto Metatron!

[@NothingIsNot]

Pretty sure that the bust shown when discussing Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus is actually of Cicero

[@dangerdan2592]

5:31 I think that's a bust of Cicero, not Vegetius. But who really even cares about that, it's a nitpick lol. Great video!

[@matianlong7907]

hi Metatron. I saw someone posting a picture with a Roman legionnaire wearing an iron mask and the post said that spies, scouts and Pretorian guards used to wear masks under the helmets. Is this historically true?

[@Elsidu13]

I have a question for you. I have a great fascination with Roman military. But the way they saluted there superior officer is often said that there is no prove they saluted that way. You saw it in the great HBO show "Rome". Can you tell me if there is any proof that they saluted that way?

[@terrynewsome6698]

Hay would you do a video with the historians craft about Roman history.

[@lornemarmet5898]

My wife and I are heavily tattooed. I have her name "Gail" 49 times. I have about 300 tattoos. This episode I heartily enjoyed.

[@MjC7192]

8:30ish ...so that's where George Miller maybe kinda sorta got that tattooing idea on Mad Max in the Fury Road movie ...i.e. where they tat' his bio info , etc. on Mad Max..,cool