This Roman mosaic shows that “Beware the dog” signs are a 1,000-year-old tradition
The ruins of Pompeii were first discovered in the late 16th century. The Roman city was so well preserved that it gave invaluable insight into how people lived in ancient Rome. This mosaic was found in what was dubbed “The House of the Tragic Poet” because of the Illyad-themed frescoes that adorn some of the rooms, and it bears a curious inscription.
The mosaic is located in the vestibule, a room that separated the interior of the house from the street, and the words read “cave canem” in Latin, which translates into “beware of dog.” Researchers believe it served as protection to keep others out of the family’s private quarters. Thankfully, the floor decoration was recently restored and covered with a protective screen.