15 Examples Of Ancient Advertising: From Fish Sauce Labels to Gladiators Shilling Olive Oil

Ah, marketing. It’s been around since the dawn of time, and it’s evolved in some pretty interesting ways. From the first punny wine branding in Pompeii to gladiators shilling olive oil in Ancient Rome, it’s clear that people have always been looking for ways to get their message out. And while modern marketing may have more sophisticated tools at its disposal, the truth is that many of the same principles have been around for centuries. 

Take this list, for example, which chronicles some of the most interesting marketing techniques used in the ancient world. From fish sauce labels to gladiator shows to political ads, it’s amazing to see how some of these ideas have been around for thousands of years. And while it may be hard to imagine a rich person today proudly displaying a poster on their house listing what they sponsored, it’s a testament to the power of marketing that this was a common practice in Ancient Rome. 

15 Ads: not believable enough.

14 Pompeii: Where the first marketing pun came from.