Pompeii

Pompeii was an ancient city located near Naples in the Campania region of Italy. It was a bustling town with between 10,000 and 20,000 residents, including businesswomen, and featured many fine public buildings and luxurious private homes.

In the year 79 AD, the city was buried under layers of volcanic ash and pumice from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. This sudden event preserved the city almost perfectly, offering a rare glimpse into Roman life and urban planning as they were more than 1,900 years ago.

The ash preserved not only buildings but also wooden objects and even the shapes of people, creating moulds of figures in their final moments. Writings carved on walls, known as Vulgar Latin, give us clues about everyday language from that time.

Pompeii remained hidden until its rediscovery in the late 16th century, and major excavations began in the mid-18th century. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Italy's most visited tourist spots, welcoming around 2.5 million people each year.

Name

Pompeii in Latin is a word that ends in "i", showing it is a group name. Some believe the name comes from an ancient word for the number five, possibly meaning the town had five small villages or was founded by a family named Pompeia.

The city’s forum, a large public square, included important buildings like the basilica and macellum, with Mount Vesuvius visible 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 near the shoreline, but today it is about 700 metres inland.

The city covered an area of 64 to 67 hectares and was home to around 11,000 to 11,500 people.

History

Pompeii was a city with a long history before it was famously buried in 79 AD. It began 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 thriving city, known for its public buildings and bustling life. It faced challenges, including a serious earthquake in 62 AD, but continued to grow. The city was eventually destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, which buried it under layers of ash and pumice. This eruption preserved many buildings and everyday objects, giving us a unique look at Roman life.

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

Roman city development

Pompeii was a small but wealthy Roman city with interesting buildings and urban planning. Unlike bigger cities, it didn’t have huge monuments, but it did have important structures like an Amphitheatre and public baths. The city’s streets and many buildings were mostly finished 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 tourist destination for over 250 years and was part of the famous Grand Tour. By 2008, it welcomed nearly 2.6 million visitors each year, making it one of Italy's top tourist spots. It is part of the Vesuvius National Park and was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. To help manage the crowds, Pompeii now offers tickets that let visitors see other nearby sites like Herculaneum, Stabiae, and the Villa Poppaea.

The town of Pompei depends on tourism, with many people working in hotels, restaurants, and as drivers. New excavations were stopped in 1999 but started again in 2017. Today, fewer buildings are open to visitors than in the past. The Antiquarium of Pompeii, which opened permanently in 2021, 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... dedicated an episode to the city in 1979. A National Geographic special from 1987 looks at Pompeii and Herculaneum, talking 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 created a drama called Pompeii: The Last Day in 2003, showing 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, bringing its amazing story to life for viewers around the world.