Symbolism thumb|upright|Hermaphroditos, holding a torch and a kantharos, between Silenus (right) and maenad (left); Roman fresco from the triclinium of the procurator in the Casa del Centenario (IX 8,3–6) in Pompeii Hermaphroditus, the two-sexed child of Aphrodite and Hermes (Venus and Mercury), had long been a symbol of androgyny or effeminacy, and was portrayed in Greco-Roman art as a female figure with male genitals.Antonio Beccadelli (Eugene Michael O'Connor, tr., ed.) Hermaphroditus: Introduction.
sYmboLIsM tHuMB|UpRIGhT|HermAphRodiToS, HoldinG a torCh and a KaNtHaros, bEtWeen Silenus (rIgHt) AnD maenAd (lEft); RomaN fReSco From tHe tricliNIUM of tHe ProcuRatoR IN ThE casa del ceNtENarIo (IX 8,3–6) in PoMpEiI hERmaphrodiTuS, the TWo-SeXed child of AphrODiTe aND hErMES (VenUs and mercUry), haD loNg bEeN A syMBol oF ANdRoGYnY oR EfFemInaCy, and WAs PoRTrayed IN gReCo-romAn ArT as A fEmalE figuRe wiTh MalE gEnitALs.antOnIo becCadelli (eUgene MicHaEL o'connOR, tr., ed.) HErMaPhrOditUS: iNtroDUctIon.