An archaeologist in Corinth, Greece, has made a significant discovery – the remains of a Roman prison, one of the few identified from the Roman world. This finding offers a rare glimpse into the harsh realities of life for prisoners during this period.
Historical records indicate that prisons were a common feature of Roman towns, yet their archaeological remains have been elusive. The lack of evidence has made it difficult to understand the layout and characteristics of these ancient institutions. This prison, dating back around 1,600 years, sheds light on these mysteries.
Matthew Larsen, an archaeologist and associate professor of New Testament at the University of Copenhagen, identified the prison by carefully examining the site, its graffiti, and records from an excavation conducted in 1901. A crucial piece of evidence was the graffiti etched onto the floor of the prison. These inscriptions, written in Greek, reveal the desperation and suffering of the inmates. They contain pleas for mercy, like “may the fortune of those who suffer in this lawless place prevail. Lord, do not show mercy on the one who threw us in here.”
The floor also exhibited cracks, leading to questions about the prison’s original location and whether the flooring had been reused. Larsen’s research revealed that all the graffiti was inscribed within the boundaries of these cracks, indicating that they existed before the flooring was laid. This suggests that the prisoners carved their messages within these pre-existing cracks, solidifying the site’s identification as a prison.
Further evidence supporting the identification came from the discovery of what appeared to be the remains of “olpai” (jugs) and lamps in the eastern aisle of the prison. These objects would have provided the prisoners with essential resources like water and light. Additionally, a small latrine was found within one of the chambers, potentially used by both prisoners and guards.
Larsen describes the conditions for the prisoners as dismal, emphasizing the harshness of their confinement. The graffiti provides a poignant picture of their desperation, revealing their confinement in a dark, isolated space where they were denied justice and a voice. One inscription suggests a group of prisoners endured an entire winter in the prison, highlighting the severity of the cold they faced. “Godbearer, repay [punishment given by] Marinos, the one who threw us in here and made us spend winter,” one inscription reads.
Despite their hardship, the prisoners found ways to cope with their confinement. Some of the inscriptions depict game boards, suggesting that they played games to pass the time and alleviate the boredom of imprisonment. There are also inscriptions pleading for release, like “Lord God and pure justice, ransom from this place the two brothers. Christ, safeguard both Boudis and John…” A few inscriptions even allude to the prisoners’ lovers, expressing the longing for connection and love in the face of isolation.
The inscriptions also reveal a desire for vengeance against those who imprisoned them. “Lord, make them die an awful death,” one inscription reads, reflecting the bitterness and anger felt by the prisoners who endured these harsh conditions. This discovery sheds new light on the forgotten stories of those who lived and suffered within the walls of a Roman prison, offering a glimpse into the harsh realities of life under Roman rule.
