Tattoos in the Ancient World

In the classical world, tattoos could be marks of ethnicity, brands of servitude, or emblems of devotion. This video explores the evidence.
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Chapters:
0:00 Tattooed barbarians
1:30 The Persians
2:14 Established Titles
3:33 Slave tattoos
4:39 Tattoos in Rome
5:30 Military tattoos
6:24 Devotional tattoos
7:13 Coming full circle

[@shastasilverchairsg]

Established Titles always makes me chuckle whenever its sponsored ad pops up in the various historical channels I watch.

[@hulkamania5071]

it doesnt make me chuckle to find out someone i respected lacks good judgment

[@ivandankob7112]

@@hulkamania5071 totally agree, I would have put a like on this video if it was not advertising some useless scam 👍

[@snakeoo7ca]

I chuckle when people take it literally, obvious you dont become a lord, its for a environmental initiative.

[@FrankyBabes]

Great video. I do wish people would stop advertising Established Titles though, it's nonsense

[@Thunderous333]

Total chinese scam.

[@suppengluck5285]

Chinavirus

[@bentleyv1233]

It is. He should have done some research before doing the sponsorship.

[@hulkamania5071]

Anyone who worked with them is a shill because it was an obvious scam from the beginning, and anyone still working with them is a grifter.

[@d.m.collins1501]

@@bentleyv1233 agreed. Though I was taken in by it, too. Don't have the heart to tell my mom that she's not really "Lady Collins."

[@Idntgt]

I can't believe Caligula had freeborn men tattoed with the latin phrase "VIVERE RIDERE AMARE" in bad italics font against their will. What a vile act.

[@r0ky_M]

Actually a relatively mild act considering the range of things Emperors did.

[@Angelstar7774]

To live to laugh to love isn’t so bad 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@BaalFridge]

"The latin word for tattoo is stigma" Oh. Oooooh. Oof.

[@Michael_the_Drunkard]

Came from Greek originally. Note the "igma-suffix".

[@mctulkyviperbit6166]

I think a great topic would be the tattoos of the south Pacific. Many island cultures have used tattoos as a right of passage, and the oldest tattoo kit in the world was uncovered in Tonga

[@dewilew2137]

Rite* of passage.

[@mctulkyviperbit6166]

@@dewilew2137 cool

[@edwinslater1888]

@@dewilew2137 I bet you're fun at parties

[@LordVader1094]

@@edwinslater1888 why tf is this the response to literally every comment on KZbin lately

[@beasty_b6967]

This is more interesting fk the islands

[@redram5150]

I’m still amused by my Jewish friend having a tattoo even though it’s impermissible to be buried in a Jewish cemetery having them. It says “BURY ME AT THE FENCE”

[@sabinagal9953]

Lol!

[@roadworkahead6368]

They can actually agree to have the tattoo removed before burial.

[@redram5150]

@@roadworkahead6368 he isn’t interested in that, and many cemeteries won’t care if that happened anyway

[@liquidsleepgames3661]

The only exception to this was those marked by the Nazi

[@justinstewart4889]

That's an urban legend. You can be buried in a Jewish cemetery if you have a tattoo.

[@OptimusMaximusNero]

4:52 *Fun fact:* Petronius, apart from writing "The Satyricon", was also known for being a close friend and great sycophant of Emperor Nero until the Caesar accused him of conspiracy and ordered him to take his own life. Petronius stated shortly before he died that he could forgive Nero for killing his own mother and Claudius' children, but not for damaging the good name of art with his hideous singing. He is actually one of the main protagonist of the novel "Quo Vadis?" and its adaptations

[@PopeLando]

Leo Genn, marvellous.

[@corporaterobotslave400]

Yep I remember that scenario from the movie.

[@work6886]

@@corporaterobotslave400 what movie?

[@OcarinaSapphr-]

@@work6886 'Quo Vadis', 1951 - Leo Genn (Gaius Petronius 'Arbiter') was the uncle to the fictional Marcus Vinicius (Robert Taylor), son of the late historical Marcus Vinicius - with Peter Ustinov as a Nero for the ages: "Among the gods, your humour is unique..."- Petronius to Nero

[@stormgeist1766]

I am always amazed at how you manage to come up with such interesting topics regarding the ancient world... You somehow guess the questions that even I didn't know I had... but I DID have somehow. Anything that gets us closer to seeing the ancient world, gets us closer to understanding it

[@nm9688]

not Ancient world just Rome, Greece and Egypt...but still great

[@townazier]

Those Scythian tatoos were very cool!

[@LowenKM]

Ancient arm tattoos: "Stop me, I'm a runaway slave" Today's neck tattoos: "Please, don't hire me!"

[@kriskross6934]

Fun fact established titles isn’t even established in Scotland, it’s in China… made by a Chinese company, not even disclosing how or who is planting those trees. You’re just paying for a certificate that isn’t even making you a lord or a lady

[@bornassassin9630]

The title is definitely an eye grabber since tattoos are an interesting topic. Rad video. I'd love to see a folk lore video from you!

[@janegardener1662]

Definitely or defiantly?

[@Solfaur]

@@janegardener1662 Defianitely

[@gunnarmarks5754]

@@Solfaur you’re wrong

[@Solfaur]

@@gunnarmarks5754 defianeteletely

[@OptimusMaximusNero]

Constantine: "Tattooing your body is totally disrespectful to the word of God and should not be allowed. Now, if you excuse me, I have a wife to boil in a bathtub..."

[@z1ll4jr53]

Sigma.

[@yeoseotidle2290]

@@z1ll4jr53 stigma

[@Braham_the_Terror]

@@z1ll4jr53 don't you want to crawl out of your skin after using such vocab? /gen

[@z1ll4jr53]

@@Braham_the_Terror No

[@Braham_the_Terror]

@@z1ll4jr53 hm

[@nathanpaulson4644]

It’s always such a treat when you post a Tuesday video. Thank you so much!

[@maxcasteel2141]

Honestly one of my favorite channels, the videos are always interesting topics, easy to watch but very informative, and then you always surprise me with your funny and clever editing. Keep up the great work! I've been wanting to read your book for a while now I just can't buy any more books until I get myself to finish the ones I'm working on rn

[@OptimusMaximusNero]

4:39 Caligula was without a doubt the greatest troll in history. He knew perfectly how to use his power to annoy the inhabitants of the Empire in the most creative and ingenious way possible. Too bad they didn't like his jokes as much as he did...

[@andreyradchenko8200]

Palatine Trollge Incident moment.

[@enes8574]

Caligula often retracted the awnings of the temporary wooden amphitheatre that preceded the Colosseum at the hottest part of the day without warning, commanding the audience to remain unmoving beneath the burning midday rays. Troll 101

[@glitter550]

You cover the most interesting topics! Thank you so much!

[@sliceofheaven3026]

I would be bit wary of being sponsored by established titles since according to a youtuber named scott schafer...they arent even legally valid titles due to current laws in scotland.

[@Markell1991]

It took me longer than I'd like to admit to realise you were saying "penal tattoos", and not "penile tattoos".

[@tookitogo]

I’m guessing the Venn diagram of those types of tattoos would show some overlap… 😂

[@samos343guiltyspark]

They wouldn't have enough ink from me

[@Markell1991]

@@samos343guiltyspark absolutely classic

[@squarecoffee8750]

You are the mark felton of ancient history !! Great concise history on niche topics!

[@fromthebackseat4865]

Mark Felton sucks.

[@hhholsteiners]

Lord Toldinstone I kneel before you. Please do not tattoo me!

[@toldinstone]

I shall refrain...for now

[@AndrewBlucher]

@@toldinstone A good thing too ... A tattoo told in stone would be chiseled. Doesn't sound ... pleasant!

[@automaticmattywhack1470]

BONUS TUESDAY VIDEO! You made my day! Thank you for another interesting video!

[@nancyM1313]

Thank you, my favorite channel. Congratulations on 319k 👍🏻

[@OptimusMaximusNero]

Speaking of ancient tattoos, in the "Romulus" tv series, Wiros, who would come to be known to history as Romulus, has his tribe's symbol (an inverted V) tattooed on the back of his neck. I highly recommend watching this series.

[@wauliepalnuts6134]

Thanks, just added it to my watchlist.

[@mileslong3904]

I'm not doing that.

[@winneras]

Another good video!

[@robbabcock_]

Fascinating stuff!

[@jeremybamber5729]

Thanks, love your content! Also, I've now learned you have a most excellent first name sir!

[@nietcykablyat9998]

Established Titles is a land NFT

[@inthebeyond333]

Wow super interesting! Love the ancient world 🗺✨

[@kenefdz]

Love the video (as always). Hate the sponsor (moreso because they are infesting all my favorite channels!).

[@mathy4605]

I don’t mind the repetitiveness, I think that if they pay well, it’s nice that a lot of content creators I follow are putting bread on the table. I do oppose this business’s practice of promising you something that has no legal bearing. If you want to put “Lord” on your credit cards, you already can. Owning a souvenir plot of land is not legally possible, therefore this product does NOT entitle you to any legal title, much less privilege, in Scottish law.

[@josephchandler8358]

Awesome stuff Dr. Garrett. I’ve got a neck tattoo, and I have a great appreciation of the historical trends 😂

[@v.g.r.l.4072]

Dear Lord Ryan, I admire your insightful and so much amusing approach to history. This is a good sample thereof.

[@joeshmoe8345]

Awesome thanks bro

[@TheZapan99]

Women in the Balkans often tattooed crosses on their arms and neck to make sure other Christians would always try to set them free, if they ended up abducted and sold as slaves in the Ottoman empire.

[@fluteboiz8912]

Wonderful video but disappointed to see the established titles ad. You don’t actually buy a 1sq plot of land and there is no Scottish law that calls landowners lords and they don’t directly reforest Scotland. The Scottish parliament has basically passed a law labeling it as a scam.

[@speederscout]

I bought my great-nephews a package of washable markers so they could color in their uncle's (my nephew's) arm tattoos.

[@emjakos3548]

That's adorable!

[@averagelibertyenjoyer3217]

I'm always left with no regerts when I spend time watching told in stone. I appreciate the work you put in.

[@jojobizadTRASH]

So weird seeing the Established Titles sponsor after what unfolded very recently. Don't worry, it's not on you, I don't think anyone expected it to be a scam.

[@jgree89]

Established titles is a scam; get rid of that. Good vid

[@RickLowrance]

Interesting subject.

[@ciandiffley5454]

Hey Toldinstone, what were Roman pre battle routines like? Did they have standardized drills or did it vary depending on their General

[@OptimusMaximusNero]

Ptolemy IV after getting a Dionysus tattoo: "With this indelible offering of my skin, my dear God Dionysus will grant me great prosperity as thanks!" *5 minutes later* Egypt: *Loses Syria* Ptolemy: "Bruh..."

[@shannonpincombe8485]

As always...I love your vids. More channels should take a leaf out of your book and do the deep research across the many levels as you have clearly done for this topic. That you use writings of historians AND poets always pleases as so much of the real history is contained within legends and myths. Now for a minor gripe..I know you focus on Northern hemisphere cultures mostly on your channels and that is your field of expertise but.... tattooing was/is a huge part of other cultures globally. Pacific/Sth American/Nth American and other Pacific rim tribes and ocean going people's used tattoos in many ways...and they were certainly ancient cultures.

[@snooks5607]

0:55 never got any tattoos but if I did one of these ancient patterns would be at the top of the list

[@samos343guiltyspark]

Just make sure it's significant to you. That'll be something you'll never regret. I'm Maori so it's well within my culture to get allot of tattoos lol, so I have plenty to pick from, but they're all specific to my lineage. They're markings of our identity and history.

[@sophroniel]

Please do a video on that tatu cultures of the Pasific, where there are sooo many different ways, designs etc. I am from new zealand, and there are many similarities in historic pictures and portraits of 19th century Elders, showing similar traditions in both Cook Islands, here with the pictured we have as one of the only visual reminders we still have of the Moriori (may they rest in peace 😔) and, of course, the tradition I am most familiar with as a new zealander, the Māori tradition of tā moko. Nowadays I think it's somewhat illegal to use the traditional tools, aka wai ngārahu, uhi, and later, adapted modern metal chisels and needles (during colonisation), which is more due to safety concerns as there is no way to be sure of disinfecting (but this is a contentious statement to some as they see it as further erasure of their cultural practices, and I am personally sympathetic to both sides of the issues), but because of this, many who now wear moko in this century have had it done with regular modern tattooing instruments.... which is always beautiful, as it shows others what is inside, and who they are as a person, but as the historic tā moko process was literally chiselling out the skin with ink-coated uhi-which is kind of hard to describe to someone who has never seen it?... but it looks almost like the fretboard of a string instrument, or a comb with all the teeth broken off... but that as a small chisel, to be held in the hand, with a sharp, saw edge that is tappen into the skin, digging in with several teeth points, showing how it's not just "primitive stick and poke"; in fact, there is (as I recall) a special method of eating during the process when one's skin is basically a giant open wound, that can be describe as a sort of crude, wide straw in its shape-but there was nothing "crude" about it, barring the rough shape, as they can (and often are) delicately and hand carved with superb craftsmanship, with eyes inlaid very often with the typical paua or other iridescent seashell/mother of pearl, so the eyes glimmer lifelike against the wood by firelight. Each moko is totally unique and I encourage everyone to look into how beautiful they are. Now there is a parallel art called "kirituhi" which has elements of showing one's personal story but is for those without Māori ancestry, so elements of the art of tā moko are still shared with Pākehā and other peoples, even as many pacifika have transpacific identities (like my friend whose parents are both half Māori, but his dad is half Samoan, and his mum is from the Marshall islands) which can be expressed in many new and creative, inspired ways!

[@ompwa5382]

I have a question that I’d like to get some help with. What did the ancient maximus basilica in rome look like? The one built by Maxentius and Constantine. The ruins are massive and I assume it was even more inspiring at the time.

[@nunyabiznes33]

This painting with the lady sniffing oleander look beautiful

[@xb5442]

Can anybody give me a link to the settlement mentioned at 1:36 please? I'm interested to know more but struggling to find anything about it.

[@gabewhitten2155]

I am thinking about committing to read the entirety of Gibbon’s Decline and Fall the Roman Empire. Garrett, do you think it is worth the read? Thank you!

[@michaelblackford9016]

I would highly recommend you read the piece on Gibbon by Spencer McDaniel on Tales of Time Forgotten before you make that decision

[@toldinstone]

I'd read an abridged version first (such as the Penguin edition) for a sense of the work before plunging into the whole thing. Gibbon's interpretation of history has been superseded, but his prose still rings.

[@gabewhitten2155]

@@toldinstone Thank you for the reply, I think I will take your advice and good luck continuing to grow your channel.

[@suurrrp6279]

Ouu 6:47 is my favorite part. I am googling SO much right now. This will be a great topic of conversation

[@DiocletianLarius]

This is actually one of my fav topics but that I don't know much about it 5:36 I'm curious about what kind of designs they used, like they got tattooed with the animal or image portrayed in their unit's signum? Or they get the whole vexillum tattooed in their arms/hands? 6:01 That actually answers my question about what happened if a legionary was assigned to another legion/unit, I guess they had to got many tattoos in their hands (or one over the other), the poor lads. Imagine a war veteran from many campaigns, his hands would've been pure black

[@rouelejour4080]

Love the thumbnail. I never knew the Romans had karaoke.

[@Summertimeislife]

Hey bro might want to rethink that sponsorship

[@thresholdhatesrevenant2620]

How did they perform the proceedure of tattooing the skin back then?

[@hambone4984]

Depends on the culture, country, and what century. Some used broken shells, bone, thorns or stone. Some used multiple needles, some only one that resemble a bit more like a nail. The list goes on and on

[@shrekwithawillsmithface465]

My grandma has alot of berber tattoos

[@smapper4732]

What’s the painting in the thumbnail

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

NO RAGRETS

[@wrongfootmcgee]

0:43 considering how it was probably done, that is some savage ink...

[@danwilson1040]

Imagine,with enough participants it could be the ‘told in stone wood’

[@obsidianjane4413]

Seems like you have snarky fun with this one.

[@wauliepalnuts6134]

Great video. A little shocked that Roman women did not have a "trampus stampus" on their lower backs.

[@mackinner]

The thumbnail looks like an ancient Greek stand up comedian holding a microphone

[@hawaiisidecar]

The universality of tattooing is a curious subject for speculation. - James Cook

[@samos343guiltyspark]

He might have been talking about the Pacific in this instant. Because he is the guy who brought the Polynesian word "tattoo/Tatau" to the rest of the world after his travels in the Pacific where he noted that the Pacific nation was possibly the largest nation in the world, because he viewed all the islands of the Pacific as one homogeneous nation. Which we were for a long time untill European incursion into the Pacific killed off 99% of our race.

[@hawaiisidecar]

@@samos343guiltyspark The Pacific islands were never one nation. They knew about each other and traded. Your colonial angst driven number of 99% needs a citation.

[@samos343guiltyspark]

@@hawaiisidecar James Cook himself referred to the Pacific as being one singular nation, not me. If you got a problem with that, that's on him not me.... Your Colonial attitude needs revision.

[@samos343guiltyspark]

@@hawaiisidecar in fact, we've had many empires in the Pacific that spanned across most of the Pacific, changing their shape with the rise and fall of dynasties. The most recent empires were the Samoan and the Tongan empires. Reaching distances further than any empire in the world untill the British empire not so long ago. Because the Pacific is so massive that claim is true.

[@hawaiisidecar]

@@samos343guiltyspark Revise me bitch.

[@Lastbus511]

There's lot's of Latin in the English language, more than one would think without the knowledge of.

[@batticusmanacleas510]

Postius Maloneus on the thumbnail made me laugh

[@LoveintheshapeofaPitBull]

Tattoos exist in many cultures for centuries, I’m proud to be part of this global tradition with 20 years of experience. I’m inclined to believe ancient man drew on his body even before he drew on cave walls.

[@mishkosimonovski23]

Cool

[@Zubinrube]

You should make a video on why Romans turned into Italians

[@XenoRaptor-98765]

Good question

[@captainbackflash]

At 01:35 min, is that Nandor the Relentless?

[@KohanKilletz]

Don't take sponsorships from established titles. They are literally a scam

[@zainmudassir2964]

Mesoamerican and Pacific Islander cultures have rich history of tattooing to this very day

[@samos343guiltyspark]

Yup, and the very word "tattoo" is a Pacific word, in it's original form it's "Tatau" which means "mark" in our language.

[@Pseedholm]

I have a Coptic cross tattoo on my wrist.

[@prsimoibn2710]

So you don't convert out

[@sanderson9338]

First Tattoo in Bible Cain who bore the mark circa 4000bc many other accounts attribute it millenia earlier soot in a cut leaves a mark I bet once this was discovered it became a past time

[@bethwilliams4903]

My father was virulently anti-tattoo, if pressed on the subject he would only say Auschwitz or slaves and peasants and cattle were branded, what was wrong with me. I took it to mean his complaint was ‘modern’ - I think professor this podcast clears up that misunderstanding! My dad was right! He would thank you (Hmm, should I tell him? 🤔)

[@DioShiver]

Really cool topic but preview turned out to be a lie 😩

[@nickbloom6861]

Don't forget, Caligula tattooed "Damaged" on his forehead. The whole of empire cringed and he was stabbed him for it.

[@prsimoibn2710]

You'd love queen Elizabeth tattoos

[@osobaum]

Quality

[@victormihaylov3905]

source plz

[@durkeldwakanda1778]

Yeah establishes titles is a scam....pay ur bills or do the moral thing and ditch this advertisement

[@brianedwards7142]

Xerxes: Yeah, man, you gotta get cut with some gnarly ink, dude. Greeks: I dunno Xerxes: C'mon, the chicks love it.

[@ToxicTemplar]

3:38 Right Guy absolute Unit and Gigachad!(look between his legs)

[@HolyApplebutter]

Love the video, though just so you know, Established Titles has been outed as a scam. Might be best to cut ties with them.

[@suciured7066]

The sponsor established titles was proven to be a scam. I love the content but if you are sponsored by someone with a bad reputation thar might reflect badly on you as well.

[@jonathanjochem7289]

I think Lord Garrett should get some hot tattoos and display them on a future episode.

[@theghosthero6173]

7:20 is the guy blowing the horn a silly joke or what? I hope this isnt trying to be some sort of viking ahah

[@Michael_the_Drunkard]

5:18. I am Roman emperor!

[@jaegurnick]

The word tattoo from the Pacific islands Samoa tattou

[@Unknown-jt1jo]

Great video. But why are you pushing the fake titles? Can't you find a non-scammy sponsor?

[@olympian3]

"It is declared that anyone who does not worship the beast or its image would be killed. The lamb-horned beast from the earth also causes all people to *receive the mark of the beast "in their right hand or in their forehead."* - Revelation 13 was probably a reference to a tattoo, or a slaves tattoo.

[@flamencoprof]

The origin of the word "tattoo" is missing from this otherwise interesting account. I say this as a New Zealander, and thusly more sensitive to the subject. And no, I don't have one.

[@flamencoprof]

@@rubydragon1034 This channel doesn't have any content. And it's "different from" that I am.

[@flamencoprof]

@@rubydragon1034 Tattoo is not an English word. It is a Polynesian word. New Zealand is part of Polynesia. Thus I am Polynesian. I think you are just being provocative from behind an anonymous user name.

[@quattordicimontenapoleone3113]

So nothing really changed?

[@tomkandy]

Why are you accepting sponsorship from a scam website?

[@bryanguzik]

Gotta cringe at/love the youth impulsivity. Even taking for granted his beliefs remain constant, in a few years I doubt he'll be jumping at the chance to flash his (look how cool & ironic I am) Leviticus FULL-ARM stamp.

[@nickbecker4726]

Stigma nuts inya mouf

[@brendanschnabel188]

What about the picts?…..

[@gasmonkey1000]

Established titles is a scam. They have no permission from the Lord Lyon to bestow the title of laird or any other noble title. In fact one would be more legitimate by having a maid of a duke scribble down a note in crayon saying you're a laird rather than the owners of "Established Titles" who don't even have British citizenship. In addition there is no evidence that they have planted a single tree. Furthermore they are the owners of Kamikoto. The same "authentic Japanese knife company" that charges $300 for knives made out of the cheapest steel and would cost about $5 to make

[@phoule76]

by Tattootis!

[@rodionromanovich449]

Tattoos were also used for healing in the ancient world. Think acupuncture but on steroids

[@agenttommy1]

Ahh man you got caught up in the established titles scam?

[@siewheilou399]

Why tattoo is a loan word?