The Magic SATOR Square was first discovered in the ruins of Pompeii, dating back to at least 79 BCE. In 1938, British classical historian Donald Atkinson said the square occupied the "mysterious region where religion, superstition, and magic meet, where words, numbers, and letters are believed, if properly combined, to exert power over the processes of nature”
The SATOR Square was often found carved on the walls of ancient houses all over Roman territories as a symbol of protection and a spell to ward off evil spirits, fevers and hexes.
The word square contains five latin five-letter words that can all be read backwards and forwards, up and down. The words are: Sator Arepo Tenet Opera Rotas.
The words themselves have perplexed scholars for centuries, especially Arepo, which is not a Latin word, but believed to be a name. Thee most common translation of the square is ‘the farmer/gardener (SATOR) AREPO holds (TENET) and works (OPERA) wheels (ROTAS). (The Gardener Arepo holds and works the wheels/plough). Obviously, this makes little sense, which is why it is believed to have a hidden Roman meaning that has been lost to time.
