Tyche: A Roman Prostitute

This project reconstructs the life of a Roman prostitute, Tyche, from an inscription found in a theater complex in the city of Pompeii, dated around 3 BCE (CIL 4, 2450. On this inscription, see Hemelrijk 2021: 171). This inscription alone provides extremely limited information about Tyche, but through additional research, it becomes possible to develop an idea of what she may have experienced living and working as a prostitute in Pompeii. This project explores modern understandings of the lives of sex workers in Ancient Rome by focusing on one woman, Tyche, and reimagining the details of her life. Although information about Tyche is limited to one, very brief inscription, it is still possible to explore how she may have entered the profession, where she may have worked, and her place in society, among other things. Attention is also paid to the social and economic independence female sex workers, like Tyche, may have gained through their professions. This project ultimately sheds light on a continuously overshadowed part of Roman society by exploring the lives and experiences of historically forgotten women.