Pompeii

Main article: Pompeii

Further information: Mount Vesuvius

History

Pompeii was an ancient city near Naples in the Campania region of Italy. It had many people and nice buildings.

In the year 79 AD, a big event happened. The nearby Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD erupted. It covered the city with volcanic ash and pumice. This buried the city quickly and preserved it very well.

The Eruption

The eruption covered the city in layers of ash and pumice. This preserved many buildings and even some wooden things. It also left shapes where people had been standing.

Everyday Life

We can learn about life in ancient Rome from Pompeii. Writings on walls, called Vulgar Latin, show us what people used to say.

Rediscovery

Pompeii stayed hidden for many years. People found it again in the late 16th century. Big excavations started in the mid-18th century.

Today, Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many people visit it every year.

Name

Pompeii is a name that ends in "i", showing it is the name of a place. Some people think the name might come from an old word for the number five. The city had a big public square with important buildings. You could see Mount Vesuvius in the distance.

Geography

Pompeii was built about 40 metres above sea level on a coastal lava plateau created by earlier eruptions of Mount Vesuvius. The city was close to the shoreline, but today it is farther inland.

The city covered an area of 64 to 67 hectares and was home to many people.

History

Pompeii was a city with a long history before it was buried in 79 AD. It started as small villages in the 8th century BC, founded by the Oscans. Over time, it grew under the influence of the Greeks and later the Etruscans. By the time of the Samnites, who took control around 424 BC, the city had expanded and adopted new architectural styles.

Settlement phases of Pompeii First (Samnite) town First expansion, 4th century BC Second expansion Roman expansion, from 89 BC

During the Roman period, Pompeii became a busy city, known for its public buildings and lively life. It faced challenges, including an earthquake in 62 AD, but kept growing. The city was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, which covered it with ash and pumice. This eruption preserved many buildings and everyday objects, giving us a special look at Roman life.

The city stayed hidden for centuries until it was rediscovered in the 18th century. Ongoing excavations and studies continue to uncover more about Pompeii's history and its people. Despite damage from weather, wars, and neglect, efforts are being made to protect this important archaeological site.

Roman city development

Pompeii was a small but rich Roman city with interesting buildings and planning. It did not have huge monuments, but it did have important places like an Amphitheatre and public baths. The city’s streets and many buildings were mostly done by 89 BC.

The city had many public buildings such as theatres, markets, and shops. There were also special buildings like the Lupanar, which was a hotel. An aqueduct brought water to fountains, baths, and homes. Pompeii had many bakeries and small restaurants called thermopolia where people could buy hot food and drinks. The city was also known for its wool workshops and places where they made garum, a sauce from fish.

Lists of buildings

Public buildings

Town houses (Domus)

Exterior villas

Other

The Garden of the Fugitives
Lupanar

Pompeii’s soil was good for growing crops like barley, wheat, and grapes for wine, which were important for the city’s economy. Gardens in the city had many types of fruits and vegetables.

Tourism

Pompeii has been a popular place for visitors to explore for over 250 years. It is part of the Vesuvius National Park and was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. Visitors can buy tickets to see other nearby sites like Herculaneum, Stabiae, and the Villa Poppaea.

The nearby town of Pompei relies on tourism. Many people there work in hotels, restaurants, and as drivers. New excavations stopped in 1999 but started again in 2017. Today, fewer buildings are open to visitors than before. The Antiquarium of Pompeii opened in 2021. It shows ancient discoveries and casts from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

In popular culture

Pompeii has inspired many stories and performances over the years. The 1954 film Journey to Italy, starring George Sanders and Ingrid Bergman, showed a scene at Pompeii. The British comedy television series Up Pompeii! used Pompeii as its setting, and the science fiction series Doctor Who had an episode called "The Fires of Pompeii".

The band Pink Floyd recorded a live concert in Pompeii's ancient amphitheatre in 1971, with only the film crew and local children watching. Later, in 2016, guitarist David Gilmour performed there again, marking the first time an audience had heard music in the amphitheatre since the city was buried. The city also appears in songs and books, such as the 2013 track by Bastille and a 2003 novel by Robert Harris.

Documentaries

Several documentaries and specials have explored the history and discovery of Pompeii. The show In Search of... had an episode about the city in 1979. A National Geographic special from 1987 looked at Pompeii and Herculaneum and talked to experts about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Another popular program, Ancient Mysteries: Pompeii: Buried Alive, was made by A&E in 1996.

The BBC made a drama called Pompeii: The Last Day in 2003. It showed what life was like for people in Pompeii and nearby areas during the eruption. Other channels like Tokyo Broadcasting System, Channel 5, BBC One, Discovery Channel, Smithsonian Channel, and CBC Gem have also made programs about Pompeii, sharing its amazing story with viewers around the world.