Campaign Graffiti: Rome's Political Billboards
Romans covered their city walls with election ads—written in paint, not stone.
Unknown — "Pierced Bowl Signed by Hasan al-Qashani" (late 11th–early 12th century), public domain
Vote for Sabinus (on Your Wall)
Ancient Roman cities were full of hand-painted political graffiti. In places like Pompeii, walls became public noticeboards at election time—often more billboard than architecture.
Scribes with Brushes, Candidates with Dreams
Local candidates hired scribes to paint their names and promises across the city. Archaeologists have found hundreds of these campaign ads, some even with pleas from annoyed homeowners: 'I beg you, electors, do not paint on this wall!'
Thousands of ancient graffiti, especially in Pompeii, reveal that Roman streets were plastered with handwritten endorsements for political candidates. Professional scribes were often hired to splash messages like 'Vote for Lucius Popidius Sabinus!' across tavern walls and shopfronts. These ads were so common that some homeowners posted their own graffiti politely asking candidates not to ruin their facades.
