Pompeii

Pompeii, buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. is the most important archaeological site of the ancient Roman world. Pompeii was first settled in the 8th century B.C. by a group of people known as the Oscans. Pompeii prospered from its location near the shore, becoming an important port city. Pompeii was eventually brought under Roman control in 80 B.C. when it became a Roman colony. At the time of the eruption, Pompeii still seems to have been recovering from a devastating earthquake which occurred in 62 A.D. It was not until 1748 that excavations began at Pompeii, about 10 years after a farmer accidentally discovered the buried city of Herculaneum while digging for a well.

	Exterior View of Site At the time of the eruption of Vesuvius, Pompeii was a bustling city: it had a population of approximately 20,000 and covered approximately 163 acres. Excavations on the site continue until this day, with new scientific discoveries revolutionizing scholar's understanding of the eruption. For example, it is now believed that the victims died not from the fall of ash, pumice, and rock fragments (as orignally thought); but from the "pyroclastic flow" (a dense, rolling, ground-hugging mass of gas, ash and rock) which was proceded by a "pyroclastic surge" (a scorching blast in which temperatures reached somewhere between 400 and 800 degrees Celsisus).
	The Quadriporticus of the Theatres This open space, porticoed on four sides, is located near the theatres in Region VIII of Pompeii. According to the Soprintendenza archeologica di Pompei, this space acted as an open area where spectators could stroll during intermissions between shows or take shelter in case of rain. Gladiator weapons have been found on the location, supporting the hypothesis that during the final years of the city it was used as barracks for gladiators.
	The Small Theatre This is the smaller of two theatres located near the Quadriporticus in Region VIII of Pompeii. According to the Soprintendenza archeologica di Pompei, it was likely used for musical performances and poetry readings. According to inscriptions on the site, it had a roof to ensure excellent acoustics.
	The Stabian Baths Ancient Roman bathhouses were much more than places where people went to bathe. Similar to modern day health clubs or country clubs, the ancient Romans also went to the baths to exercise, socialize, and relax. Pompeii had three bath complexes: the Forum Baths, the Central Baths, and the Stabian Baths. Pictured here is the frigidarium (cold bath) from the Stabian Baths at Pompeii. After exercising, the ancient Romans would scrape dirt and oil off their bodies with a curved instrument called a strigil. The bathers then progressed through a series of baths of a variety of tempertatures. They may have started at the tepidarium (warm room), then proceed to the calidarium (hot room), and after spending some additional time in the tepidarium finish with a cold bath in the frigidarium.
	A Plaster Mold Displayed at the Stabian Baths In 1860, Giuseppe Fiorelli became the director of excavations at Pompeii and brought a level of scientific precision to the excavations that had not been seen before. Fiorelli, through a stroke of genius, also developed a technique that resulted in some of the most striking images found at Pompeii. One of his assistants told Fiorelli that there was a hollow spot where he was digging. Realizing that it was an area where a decomposed corpse was once buried, Fiorelli instructed his men to pour plaster of Paris in the hole. When it dried, the men carefully unearthed the dried plaster which assumed the shape of the body that was once buried there. This image on display at the Stabian Baths shows that these images often captured unique facial features and the suffering of the people of Pompeii.
	A Fountain on the Streets of Pompeii Pictured here is one of the various water fountains scattered throughout the city of Pompeii. In early years, the inhabitants of Pompeii simply relied on wells and rain for water. In the first century B.C., however, an acqueduct was built to supply the city with water. The water flowed to a structure called the castellum aquae, which was located at the highest point in the city so that water could flow downwards through three main pipelines. The water then flowed throughout the city through a series of underground pipes. Only the wealthiest citizens of Pompeii could afford to have their own source of running water, so most citizens were forced to come to one of the numerous public fountains like the one pictured here.
	The Main Forum at Pompeii At the center of any Roman city was the forum, the central meeting place of a city which contained its most important civic, religous, and commerical buildings. The city of Pompeii was no different. It had an elaborate forum surrounded by a two-level colonnade. In the background of this picture, one sees the remains of the podium and front columns of the Temple of Jupiter. Mount Vesuvius is also visible in the backgound.

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