By Alyssa
Pompeii
"The cloud appeared to come out of the top of the mountain that was a long way away. The best way to describe it is to say it looked like a pine tree. It shot straight up like a very tall trunk. At the top of the trunk, the cloud spread out like branches. Parts of the cloud were very bright, and parts were quite dark. The different colors were caused by the amount of cinders in different parts of it." These words were written by Pliny the Younger as he observed the beginning eruption of the volcano that loomed over his city. As this continued, the citizens of Pompeii watched as the cloud came closer, engulfing the city with ashes and cinders, the volcano soon began producing sheets of lava and flames. Days later, the once prosperous city of Pompeii, existing around the time when the Roman Empire was at its peak, now lay in ruins.
The geography of Pompeii had a tremendous impact on its history. The area of Europe, where Pompeii was located is often referred to as the "Cradle of Western Civilization." But it is also like a cradle of volcanology. This is because Mt. Vesuvius, a composite volcano looms over the Roman city of Pompeii. During the days when Pompeii was thriving and prosperous, Mount Vesuvius provided the city with fertile soil.
Inhabitants of Pompeii varied from wealthy landowners to slaves. Houses typically had a blank wall to the street and a balcony on the second floor. A central courtyard, or back garden provided the people with plenty of fresh air and sunlight. Off the great room or atrium were bedrooms, a store room, dining room, and kitchen. Kitchens had an elevated hearth and charcoal fire for cooking. In addition this hearth was not only used in kitchens but in residences which had baths, this hearth supplied heat for the baths as well. Also, a water system could carry water for a bath or a fountain in the atrium.
Pompeii had diverse types of buildings. The forum of a Roman city was an open place where people could gather. Nearby Pompeii's forum were centers of government, places to worship, and markets. A small distance from the forum was a cluster of temples (Pompeii had ten.) Nearby the cluster was a gigantic open-air theater, seating about 20,000 individuals. This theater was used for plays. Other theaters, like the Amphitheatre, were used for gladiator fights. In addition, theaters could also be filled with water so ships could fight. A short ways away from the theater was a palaestra, or athletic school. Three public baths laid convenient to the forum and palaestra.
The citizens of Pompeii valued art. In Pompeii art was not only used to decorate but was also used to communicate. For example, if a piece of art showed a fearsome dog, that would probably mean "beware of the dog." The people of Pompeii put art all over their city, in houses, gardens, and even the streets. We know this because many archaeologists have uncovered street sign mosaics. Mosaics are pictures made up of tiles. The wealthy used mosaics to decorate their homes too. Many villas had floors and walls made up of mosaics. Artists of Pompeii not only used mosaics, but various types of art. One of these types were realistic paintings. Later, artists of the Renaissance were inspired by these paintings as they searched for ways to make their own paintings appear more life-like.
Pompeii played a big role in ancient Rome. First of all, Pompeii was a chief center of trade. It had prosperous trade in wine, oil, and breadstuffs and produced millstones, fish, sauce, perfumes, and cloth. Pompeii traded these items with neighboring cities. In addition, because Pompeii was located in such a prosperous and beautiful area, it made it a perfect place for leisure. During the time of the Roman Empire it was a desired place for the wealthy to build summer villas or homes.
Pompeii was not only significant during the time of the Roman Empire but even today it has some importance. Pompeii and the Roman city of Herculaneum have the most complete archaeological record of the late Roman Republic and early Roman Empire. This is because these cities help scientists understand everyday Roman life. Visitors to Pompeii may walk between rows of shops and houses, and along streets that still show the marks of the horses' hoofs and the ruts worn by chariot wheels in the paving blocks. Also, public baths or thermaes show how furnaces were used to heat water and to provide warm air for the rooms.
Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius on August 24, 79 A.D. During the first eight hours of the eruption dust, rocks, cinders, and ash fell on the city in depths of eight to ten feet. Vesuvius also emitted poisonous gasses, steam, lava, and flames into the atmosphere. Following this was a enormous hail of pumice stones up to three inches in diameter! Heaps of these and other small rocks caused many roofs to weaken or collapse. After the main eruption, a torrent of white ashes fell upon the city. For nearly two days these white ashes fell like snow on Pompeii.
The eruption not only destroyed Pompeii. It also destroyed Herculaneum, Stabiae, Oplontis, Sora, Tora, Taurania, Cossa, and Leucopetra. Most inhabitants escaped the eruption carrying their movable assets but, about 2,000 died. These casualties were caused by thermal shock, being crushed under fallen debris, or being killed by hot ashes. The eruption not only had a big impact on Pompeii but also had a big impact on the Campania region. This is because it changed its entire geography by turning the Sarnus river back from its course and raising the sea beach.
After the eruption the citizens of Pompeii returned. But this was not because they were moving back. Instead people tunneled in and around houses and rescued their valuables. The people even removed the marble facings on buildings. Because they took almost all of the possessions that were expensive or important not many objects of great value have been discovered at Pompeii.
The ruins of Pompeii are perfectly preserved by the lava, ashes, and cinders of Mt. Vesuvius. This is because the lava, ashes, and ciders formed a hermetic seal around the ruins. This seal preserved public structures, temples, theaters, baths, shops, and dwellings. The ashes, lava, and cinders also formed a seal around victim's bodies. Excavators poured liquid plaster on these preserved bodies. Some of these bodies are on display at a museum in Naples, Italy.
Because the citizens of Pompeii took most of their valuables, few objects of great value have been found. Although not many valuables have been found, scientists have found various other things. Remnants of victims have been discovered including gladiators that were placed in chains to prevent them from escaping or committing suicide. Also, in the barracks of gladiators, archaeologists have found swords belonging to gladiators. In addition they have found charred nuts, fruit, and loaves of bread in market stalls. Workers have also discovered parts of buildings too. In the 1500's workers discovered parts of Pompeii's amphitheater, forum, and temple. In 1912 in a street connecting Strada dell' Abbondanza to the Amphitheatre, houses were found. Finally, archaeologists have found graffiti on walls, advertisements for gladiatorial contests, and a wall painting showing local peddlers at work.
The destroyed city of Pompeii now lies in ruins, sealed with ashes, cinders, and lava. But although it is destroyed, through science and our lives, it has just as much importance to us today, as it did to the ancient Romans.
What did the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius look like?
Click here to find out!
Resources
http://www.umkc.edu/imc/pompeii.htmhttp://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/pompeii/index.html
http://wings.buffalo.edu/AandL/Maecenas/italy_except_rome_and_sicily/pompeii/ac880529.html http://harpy.uccs.edu/roman/html/pompeiislides.html http://www.jccc.net/~jjackson/pomp.html