Presumably, the founders of Pompeii were Osci, one of the peoples of Ancient Italy. Already the ancients expressed different opinions about the origin of the name Pompeii. Some erected it to the triumphal procession (pomp) of Hercules after the victory over Geryon. Others refer to the Oscan word for "five" (pum-pe). According to this version, Pompeii was formed as an association of five communities.
According to a writer in the 1st century A.D. e. Geographer Strabo founded the city Oska. Later, the Etruscans seized control of it, and then, after victories over the Etruscans, the Greeks. Later, the city was taken from the Greeks by the Samnites, a people related to the Oscans. This happened in the 5th century BC. e. Archeology records the decline of urban life in this century. Perhaps Pompeii was abandoned for some time.
In the IV century BC. e. Pompeii became part of the Samnite federation. The city served as a port for the Samnite cities located up the Sarno River. In the IV century BC. e. A series of wars took place between the Roman Republic and the Samnites. During them in 310 BC. e. Roman troops landed near Pompeii. The Romans devastated the lands of Nuceria, neighboring Pompeii. Later, the inhabitants of the rural district of Pompeii attacked the legionnaires returning with the loot, took away the loot and drove them onto the ships.
Source: wikipedia.comThe Romans defeated and subjugated the Samnites and their allies to their power. From now on, Pompeii, along with other Campanian cities, became part of the Roman-Italian confederation. The city maintained self-government. Pompeii were to be Rome's allies and also provide auxiliaries.
During the Samnite era, Pompeii was ruled by a city council. Among the issues of his conduct was, in particular, construction. The direct supervision of the construction work and their payment was carried out by the quaistur (Latin version - quaestor), an official in charge of the city treasury. The supreme power in the city belonged to an official with the name "meddissa tuvtiksa", which translates as "city governor".
Accession to Rome gave impetus to the development of the city in the III century BC. e. At the end of the century, the population of Pompeii grew. In the II century BC. e. new public buildings appeared - temples, theaters, baths. Luxurious mansions appear. Among them is the famous "House of the Faun", on the wall of which there is a fresco depicting the battle of the Macedonians and Persians at Issus.
Paradoxically, the war between Rome and Hannibal gave impetus to the development of Pompeii. After crossing the Alps and victories over the Roman troops, the Carthaginian commander invaded Campania. Capua, the strongest city in the region, went over to his side. Nuceria remained faithful to Rome and was destroyed by Hannibal for this. During the war, the Romans took Capua and punished an unfaithful ally.
Pompeii itself was not taken by the Carthaginians and became a refuge for refugees from other Campanian cities. This explains the growth of urban construction at the end of the 3rd century BC. e.
The elite of the Campanian city received their share of the wealth from the expansion of Rome into the Mediterranean in the 2nd century BC. e. Evidence of contacts between Pompeian merchants and eastern markets has been preserved. In particular, with the island of Delos. Oriental spices fall into Pompeii themselves. The frescoes in the House of the Faun speak of the artistic taste and interest of its owner in history.
Allied War: Pompeii vs. Sulla
In 91 BC. e. a number of Italian communities (including Pompeii) revolted against Rome. This conflict went down in history as the Allied War. The allies who rebelled against Rome sought equal status with the Romans in the state. After three years of war, the Romans defeated the rebellious allies. But after that they gave them the rights of Roman citizenship.
In 89 BC. e. During the war, Pompeii was besieged by the Roman general Lucius Cornelius Sulla. In a series of battles near the city, Sulla defeated the Campanian commander Cluentius, who was trying to lift the siege of Pompeii. The city surrendered shortly after the defeat and death of Cluentius.
Pompeii was not destroyed and received Roman citizenship. After 10 years, Sulla, who defeated his opponents and became a dictator, founded a colony of his veterans in the city. From now on, Pompeii received the status of a Roman colony, and the former Oscan magistrates were replaced by new Roman ones. Office work in the city is transferred to Latin. And in the last century of the city, the number of records in Oska is declining.
Roman time city: Pompeii under the empire
In the era of the empire, Pompeii was a modest provincial town. The famous garum sauce and wine were produced here. In part, the inhabitants of the colony tried to copy the buildings of Rome itself. There was a forum in the city, on which stood the temples of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. In the wall niches of one of the buildings stood statues of the founders of Rome - Aeneas and Romulus. Below them were carved inscriptions describing their deeds. The same inscriptions, telling about Aeneas and Romulus, were on the Roman forum.
The Italian cities were connected with Rome and the imperial house. In particular, the nephew and one of the possible heirs of Augustus, Marcellus, held the semi-official position of patron (patron) of Pompey.
Source: wikipedia.com
In 59 a.d. e. Pompeii was infamous for the carnage within the walls of the city. It was during the gladiator fights, but the battle began between the townspeople of Pompeii and Nuceria. The inhabitants of the cities began to bully each other, then took up the stones, and then - and swords with daggers. The Pompeians won the fight.
Information about the massacre reached the emperor Nero, who instructed the Senate to investigate. As a result, the Senate banned Pompeii from holding gladiatorial games for 10 years, and their organizer, Livinei Regulus, went into exile.
Interestingly, Livinei Regulus had been stripped of the title of senator a few years earlier. That is, a disgraced representative of the ruling class could take refuge in Pompeii and become a benefactor of the townspeople.
Pompeii was located 240 kilometers from Rome. Residents of the capital could reach the Campanian city within a week. Therefore, many noble and wealthy Romans built their villas in the vicinity of Pompeii. In particular, even in the era of the Republic, Cicero acquired such a villa.
Source: wikipedia.com
The highest officials in Pompeii were its two elected rulers - duumvirs. They convened the city council and presided over it. To become a duumvir, a careerist from Pompeii had to go through the post of aedile, which opened the way for her performer to the city council. Members of the city council bore this title for life. The aediles were responsible for urban improvement - the supply of bread, the maintenance of streets and baths, and organized spectacles.
In civil cases with a small claim amount, duumvirs were chairmen. Criminal cases and more complex civil cases were heard in Rome. The duumvirs also answered the city treasury.
Source: wikipedia.com
Once every five years, the chosen duumvirs were called quinquennals (five-year-olds). They updated the city council lists - adding new people, deleting the dead and those who had lost their right to membership in the council for crimes. They also compiled lists of citizens of the city.
Members of the council accepted the reports of officials, exercised supreme supervision over city affairs. A wealthy freedman was not entitled to take office and get into the council, but he could achieve this for his son. The inscription preserved the curious case of a certain Celsin, who became a decurion (member of the council) at the age of 6 for restoring the temple of Isis, which had been damaged by an earthquake.
In Pompeii and other Roman cities, the positions of duumvir and quinquennal opened doors to the urban elite, but demanded wealth from the applicant. Duumvir Pompey contributed 10,000 sesterces upon taking office.
During the exercise of his office, the citizen Pompey held festivities at his own expense. For example, Aul Clodius Flaccus was duumvir three times. During his first magistracy, he organized games in the forum in honor of Apollo, including bullfighting, musical competitions and a performance by the artist Pylades (apparently a local celebrity). The second time, in addition to games at the forum, he organized the persecution of animals and gladiator fights in the amphitheater. The third time was the most modest - the performance of artists and musicians. Another quinquennal in his inscription emphasized that he had conducted gladiator fights without spending public funds.
Passions boiled over the election of officials, comparable to the election of consuls in republican Rome. The walls of the city preserved records calling for voting for one or another of the citizens of Pompeii who wanted to become a duumvir or aedile. Interestingly, most of the campaigning concerned the post of aedile.
About 12 thousand people lived in Pompeii, and about 24 thousand - in the rural district. Half of them were slaves. Most of the rest were women and children. Thus, the electorate during the elections was about 2,500 residents of the city and 5,000 in the rural district.
The inscriptions were painted over and new ones were written on top of them. The campaign inscription could have been addressed to a specific citizen of Pompeii. A city dweller could carve an inscription on the wall of his house to show his position.
Sample caricature on a wall in Pompeii. (wikipedia.com)
Campaigned for candidates and professional associations. For example, carpenters, cab drivers, bakers or jewelers. Members of the Youth union, which included young people from noble families, offered their candidates to the townspeople.
Sometimes poems were composed in favor of the candidates or their professional and moral qualities were emphasized in prose. And sometimes they called on a respected citizen to vote for a candidate, because "choose Sabin as an aedile, and he will choose you."
There were original entries in support of the candidates, which were supposed to discredit them. These are words of encouragement written on behalf of pickpockets, runaway slaves, drunkards or loafers.
Elections in Pompeii resembled elections in other cities of the Roman world. The civil community was divided into curia, each of which chose its own candidate.
Elections were held in March, and in July the magistrates took office. Pompeians could become duumvirs again, but not two years in a row.
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius: the death of the city
Approximately 80 years before the eruption, Vesuvius was visited by the geographer Strabo. The scientist wrote that almost to the very top, the volcano is covered with flowering fields. Only the ashen peak itself reminded that this place had once spewed fire.
Vulcan announced his awakening in 63 CE. e. earthquake. It destroyed several cities in Pompeii, Herculaneum and Naples. Some of them have not been restored for 16 years.
Evidence of the catastrophe was left by her contemporary Pliny the Younger, who then lived in the seaside Mizenum (about 30 kilometers from Pompeii). Mizena was the base of the Roman fleet, and one of the ships was commanded by Pliny's uncle, Pliny the Elder.
On August 24, people saw a cloud rise above the volcano. Pliny the Elder took his ship towards Pompeii. His nephew wrote that the scientists were driven by a desire to save people from the city and scientific curiosity. Pliny the Elder ordered to record all the changes that occur in the cloud.
At night, an earthquake began, and the next day people did not see the sun. At first there was twilight, then darkness fell, and ashes began to fall from the sky. When it dissipated, it turned out that there were no neighboring cities, and the Sarno valley was covered with ash. First, the city was covered with pieces of pumice, then with ashes.
Most of the inhabitants fled the city on the first day. Those who decided to stay and sit out the catastrophe in their homes died, and those who decided to escape too late. Their feet got stuck in the pumice, and then they were finished off by a rain of ash and water. Some Pompeians fled to the harbor, but the ships were either not there or had already been put out of action by the ash and stones.
Mysterious Pompeii, an ancient settlement that keeps the breath of Ancient Rome, is today an open-air museum. An extinct city, today it comes back to life thanks to the efforts of archaeologists, however, already as a museum exhibit.
History pages
Until the moment when the eruption of Vesuvius swept the city from the face of the earth, Pompeii was very highly developed and high-tech for its time settlement.
Pompeii (Pompeii) - not exactly a Roman city, as is commonly believed. It was founded in the 8th century BC. Osci tribe - one of the ancient peoples of Italy. The name "Pompeii" from the ancient Oscan language can be translated as "five", the reason for this name lies in the fact that Pompei were founded on the site of five ancient Oscan settlements.
True, there is another version, more related to mythology: supposedly in these parts Hercules defeated a powerful adversary and arranged a solemn procession in the city on this occasion (Pompe - this is how “Pompeii” is translated from the ancient Greek language).
In Italy it was at that time many Greek colonies, therefore, a little time later, Osci adopt Greek culture and architecture. The latter is especially clearly seen: the first buildings were chaotic, the order of buildings was not respected, and later, under the Hellenic influence, urban architecture acquires a clearer outline - strict rows of streets and rows of houses. Moreover, the Osks did not even suspect that they were building their houses right on the frozen lava ...
After many battles Romans took control of the city.
Pompeii has a very convenient location in economic terms: at the foot of Vesuvius, on the Sarno River. This location allowed the inhabitants of the city to use the river for navigation and trade. The inhabitants were engaged in the production of oils, wool and wines, which also contributed to the trade and prosperity of the city. And the Appian Way, which passed through the city, was important for the economy and trade.
Gradually, Pompei come under the rule of Rome and become a recreation center for noble Roman patricians. The city grew and developed...
Are you dreaming of visiting Florence, one of the most romantic cities in Italy? Then you should look at the main architectural structure of the city - Palazzo Vecchio. Detailed information .
The tragedy of the city
The first "wake-up call" rang in 62 AD, when a strongest earthquake. Many houses and temples were destroyed. But the inhabitants of the city managed to restore everything in a short time and again life flowed along the usual course.
The day before, ash flakes began to fall on the city, and there was so much of it that they had to constantly shake it off their clothes. The volcano was thought to be dormant for a long time., so at first none of the inhabitants paid attention to the cloud of smoke and fire escaping from the vent.
Stones began to fall from the sky, and the ashes settled on the houses in such a thick layer that the roofs began to collapse., burying people remaining in the premises.
The more astute citizens left Pompeii immediately after the first rains, and fled to the nearby villages. The eruption continued for about a day. The city was completely destroyed.
It was discovered by chance, in the 17th century, during the construction of a water supply system. The honor of discovery belongs to the Italian architect Domenico Fontana, who, while excavating, came across the remains of a wall and well-preserved frescoes by the river. And for a long time they could not imagine that these pitiful remains are the ruins of the mighty Pompeii.
And only when sign was found(border pillar), it became clear that here the once majestic ancient Roman city was buried under the layers of earth.
Full-fledged excavations began a century later, in the 17th century, and continue to this day, as well as scientific research.
For more on the tragedy of Pompeii and excavations, see the video:
Attractions and interesting places
Today, on the site of the legendary city, you can see only the remains of its former greatness. You can find the Pompei excavation site near Naples. open-air museum city attracts many tourists every year.
Pompeii is not only a mass of the most interesting sights of Italy, but also a unique witness to history. Due to the fact that the city was almost instantly covered with ashes, all the surviving buildings, frescoes, mosaics, sculptures and objects are very well preserved. So, what can be seen today at the place where Pompeii is located?
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Forum.
This building can be called the heart of the ancient Roman city, its social and economic center. At first, there was only a trading square on the site of the Forum, then the market was significantly expanded, and residents began to gather at the market not only for shopping, but also for discussing city events.
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Lupanar.
"A wicked place" in the city, where the townspeople came in search of carnal pleasures. The name itself is translated from Italian as "she-wolf" - it was with the help of a wolf-like howl that women of easy virtue attracted their customers. It was quite easy to recognize the priestesses of love of that time - hair gathered and raised at the back of the head, and a wide red belt on clothes.
All rooms for love dates were painted with erotic frescoes. Today, some of these frescoes can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Naples. By the way, this was not the only brothel in the city (there were about 30 of them in total), but Lupanar was the most famous.
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Amphitheater.
A large-scale structure on two levels was intended for gladiator fights and various spectacles. Only the outer walls and seats survived, but the steps were completely destroyed - they were made of wood and simply did not survive after the eruption.
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Residential houses.
All buildings and residential buildings are very well preserved, almost in their original form (if, of course, an amendment is made to the past tense). The interior decoration of the houses did not differ in aesthetics, but outwardly they were very richly decorated, painted with frescoes or decorated with mosaic ornaments.
There were almost no windows in the houses (unlike the palaces and houses of rich nobles), they were replaced by narrow openings. There were no street signs either, the name of its owner was simply written on each house (some of these signs are kept in the Archaeological Museum). On the territory of each house there was a stone pool for collecting rainwater (such water was considered sacred).
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Frescoes found during excavations.
They contain historical scenes and scenes of Roman amusements. Almost all of them have been transferred to the Naples Museum, and in the restored city one can observe only skillfully made copies.
- In addition, you can also see Temple of Jupiter, Maly Theatre, Bolshoi Theatre, Stabian Baths, triumphal arches and other preserved buildings of Pompeii.
During the excavations it was found a lot of gold jewelry, ceramic products. Pottery is generally well preserved, however, drawings and patterns on pots and jugs suffered from fire and time.
Found several bakeries - huge stoves, kitchen utensils and other equipment, as well as the so-called thermopolies - taverns. Rarely in any house in Pompeii there were kitchens with stoves, so food was delivered from such thermopolies.
Opening hours, ticket prices
- During high season(from the beginning of April to the end of October) you can get into Pompei from 8.30 in the morning, and the closing time is at 19.00 (the box office closes at 17.30, an hour and a half before closing).
- In the low season(this time is from November to March) You can see Pompeii from 8.30 (9.00) in the morning until 17.00 (the box office closes at 15.30).
- Ticket price - 13 euros. They can be purchased at the box office.
There, at the box office, you can take a guide card, otherwise it is not surprising to get lost in all the intricacies of the ancient streets.
- An excursion to Pompeii can be combined with a visit to other ancient cities - Herculaneum, Boscoreale, Villa Stadia and others. In this case, the ticket will cost at 22 euros (with a discount).
- Groups of schoolchildren and students can visit Pompeii by appointment. None there is no limit on the number of groups.
You can check ticket prices, find out about the schedule of excursions, as well as get other background information about Pompeii. on the official website of the attraction - www.pompeiisites.org
Vesuvius erupted on August 24, 79. It was so strong that it completely destroyed three cities. Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae simply disappeared from the face of the Earth. Many residents died in cruel torment, and their houses were buried under a many-meter layer of stones and volcanic ash.
It is believed that the story of the death of Pompeii is well known. There are ongoing archaeological excavations. There are also eyewitness accounts. The same Pliny described everything in great detail. However, much in this tragedy remains incomprehensible, and new facts constantly emerge:
The inhabitants of Pompeii knew that there could be an eruption
The harbinger of the tragedy was the strongest earthquake that occurred in 62. At that time, there were practically no intact buildings left in the city, some were completely destroyed. And the day before the eruption of 79, there was immediately a series of tremors. Of course, the inhabitants of Pompeii did not understand that this was due to the volcano. But they believed: the earth is shaking due to the heavy tread of giants who warn that people are in danger of death.
Shortly before the eruption, the water temperature in the Gulf of Naples rose sharply, and in some places reached the boiling point. All streams and wells on the slopes of Vesuvius dried up. From the bowels of the mountain, eerie sounds began to be heard, reminiscent of a drawn-out groan. That's interesting rumble of the earth, which in recent years has been heard all over the planet, also portends the death of thousands of people?
Most of the residents managed to leave the city
About a tenth of the population died on the streets of Pompeii - about 2 thousand people. The rest may have managed to escape. So, the catastrophe did not take people by surprise. This is clear from Pliny's letters. True, the remains of the dead were found outside the city, so no one knows the exact number of the dead. According to some reports, the total number of victims of the eruption in Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabia is 16 thousand people.
People fled to the harbor, hoping to leave the dangerous territory by sea. During excavations on the coast, many remains were found. Apparently, the ships could not or did not have time to accept everyone. And those who remained hoped to sit out in deaf cellars or enclosed spaces. Then, however, they tried to get out, but it was too late.
How did Pompeii really die?
Someone believes that people were burned alive in hot lava flows, and the city was engulfed in flames. In fact, everything was not so. Vesuvius then practically did not spew lava. And if there were fires somewhere, it was only by accident. This is known from the letters of Pliny.
First, a grey-black column of smoke and ash rose from the crater. Then the volcano began to throw out larger fragments. The incandescent cloud reached 33 kilometers in height. The energy of Vesuvius many times exceeded that released during the atomic explosion over Hiroshima. People rushed through the streets in a panic, but quickly became exhausted, fell and covered their heads with their hands in despair.
Destructive hydrothermal pyroclastic flows poured into the city. Their temperature reached 700 °C. They brought fear and death. Hot water mixed with ash, and the resulting mass clung to everything that was in its path. The rockfall has begun. All this lasted 18-20 hours. The volcano erupted a huge amount of stones and slag.
It was difficult to breathe, a heavy black veil hung in the air. People fought for their lives, tried to escape from imminent death, to find safe areas. Then they fell exhausted, and they were quickly covered with ashes. They suffocated and died in cruel agony. Distorted faces, mouths open in a silent scream, convulsively clenched hands, clenched fingers… This is how most of the townspeople died.
As a result, the city was buried under volcanic rocks. The bottom layer consists of stones and small pieces of plasma. Its average thickness is 7 meters. Then comes a two-meter layer of ash. In total, it turns out about 9 meters, but in some places the thickness of the blockages was much greater.
On creepy photos - not corpses, but just plaster casts
Most of the inhabitants of Pompeii are buried in the upper layers of volcanic ash. They lay there for almost 2 thousand years, but, at first glance, they are well preserved. In the photographs, which are full on the Internet, you can see not only the position of the bodies at the time of death, but even the expression of horror and agony on the faces of the unfortunate.
But in fact, these are only casts that archaeologists make. The first such idea came to a certain Giuseppe Fiorelli, who led the excavations. Back in 1870, he discovered that voids had formed at the places of death. After all, the ash mixed with water, which poured onto the city during the eruption, tightly stuck around the dead. The mass dried and hardened, preserving the exact imprints of bodies, folds of clothes, facial features and even the smallest wrinkles.
Filling them with plaster, the scientist received accurate and very realistic casts. So he managed to reproduce the poses of people, get their death masks. But the bodies themselves have long since turned to dust. And it's still creepy ... This is not for you photo of chupacabra, which look more like ordinary fakes. Everything is real here.
The death of Pompeii is a punishment for moral degradation
So, at least, some historians and philosophers thought. Indeed, when archaeologists excavated the city, they found many unambiguous frescoes. And there were more lupanaries (in other words, brothels) and separate rooms for meetings with prostitutes than, for example, bakeries. No wonder the inhabitants of Pompeii were considered the most dissolute in the Roman Empire.
Vesuvius is still dangerous, the tragedy could happen again
After 79, there were several more eruptions. And every time it was a terrible tragedy. So, in 1631, about 4 thousand people became victims of the volcano. In 1805, an eruption killed about 26,000 people and destroyed most of Naples. In 1944, 27 people died, and lava flows destroyed the cities of Massa and San Sebastiano. You can read more about the volcano, and about the death of Pompeii -. By the way, there are documentaries:
Traveling in Italy, we could not help but visit this city of "buried alive". Interest in visiting the city of Pompeii and taking a photo of Pompeii was mainly to see with your own eyes the life of those times, to find out what people did in those distant centuries, when there were no TVs, no discos, no computers and electricity. In Pompeii, life suddenly stopped, and only here everything was preserved in its original form.
This is what the history of Pompeii is of such interest to tourists and travelers. Seeing Vesuvius with your own eyes and wandering through the ancient streets - in my opinion, this is the height of all desires.
Judging by the excavations, the city of Pompeii in those days was a rich and populated city. It had temples, rich large houses, baths, wells and even an arena for gladiator fights. The city flourished. The guides claim that they have not yet excavated everything here, much more remains under a thick layer of ash. Pompeii is a clear example of the fact that you live like this, you live, you prosper, and one “beautiful” day a disaster occurs and everything freezes. Time stops and captures, like a camera, a measuredly flowing life, so that later, centuries later, it will be revealed to descendants in the form of streets of charred skeletons. In Pompeii, some inhabitants died with sacks of gold on their shoulders. Apparently they hoped to escape from the raging volcano, taking with them all the most valuable things.
And life in the city of Pompeii proceeded rapidly and intensely. This is evidenced by the many taverns and brothels that were discovered during excavations. Judging by these excavations in the city of Pompeii, people lived for their pleasure, so to speak, "to the fullest", without denying themselves anything. Their uninhibited morals are evidenced by members of all sizes and configurations carved right on the pavement and the walls of houses, decorated with frescoes on an erotic theme: "Kama Sutra" is resting. By the way, in Pompeii you can buy a separate excursion to the Gallery of Erotic Frescoes and Drawings. True, historians argue that the image of a penis in ancient Italy had a slightly different meaning. Member in Pompeii, so to speak, worshiped. It was a kind of talisman against the evil eye or, for example, a talisman for good luck, and a carved member on the roadway meant the direction of movement along the street. A sort of road sign "arrow straight ahead" on a blue background. Not surprisingly, the most popular souvenir from Pompeii is the male penis.
Road sign.
After the volcanic eruption in Pompeii, everything and everything died from the ashes and red-hot lava. But the erotic frescoes in the brothels, of which there were a great many in the city, are well preserved. As they say, manuscripts do not burn. One can imagine the spirit in which children were brought up in those centuries, if they were surrounded by drunkenness, debauchery and orgy from birth.
Pompeii is considered the birthplace of paid toilets. It was here that the catchphrase "Money doesn't smell" was born when Emperor Vespasian introduced fees for using outdoor toilets. And the toilets were noble, with marble walls and toilets inlaid with gold. In those days, toilets were also a place for business meetings and negotiations. They discussed important issues and resolved business corporate issues. The volcanic eruption in Pompeii ended this luxurious and carefree life in an instant.
And now, centuries later, tourists roam the dug-out streets of Pompeii, the city buried alive, and look with curiosity at the well-preserved clay pots, columns of temples and all kinds of household utensils of those times, which in August 79 were almost instantly covered with hot ash. Surprise is the main enemy of mankind.
In this cave, everyone entering Pompeii was forced to urinate, and the urine was then used for industrial purposes.
In summer, it is very hot in Pompeii from red-hot stones. Two thousand years ago it was also hot, so there are many fountains with cold drinking water coming from the mountains on the city streets. In those distant times, water was supplied to these springs through lead pipes. Now in the heat, you can always quench your thirst from these fountains. The water is really delicious. Many tourists take it with them on the road.
As I said, Pompeii was a very wealthy city. This is evidenced by rich temples, such as the temple of Venus, the temple of Apollo, built here as early as the 6th century BC. and Temple of Jupiter. (II century BC). We saw enough of the ruins when we traveled around Greece, but these Pompeian ruins are special. They have survived to this day in their original form, not like a Greek remake. There were two theaters in Pompeii. One for the entertainment of wealthy citizens - Odeon, the second, an amphitheater, for commoners. The ancient Roman slogan "Bread and circuses" worked in full. In addition, the land of volcanic origin made it possible to harvest in these parts three times a year without any additional effort. Even a stick stuck in the ground sprouted. Until now, citrus fruits are born here in unrealistic sizes and in incredible quantities, such a fertile land at the foot of the volcano.
After excavations in Pompeii, the dwellings of the Pompeians with all household utensils were well preserved. But the frozen bodies of inhabitants and animals are especially impressive. So that they do not crumble, these mummies are now filled with wax.
The facial expressions and gestures of people remained the same as they were at the time of the volcanic eruption in Pompeii. A lot of things were found in Pompeii during the excavations, it makes no sense to list everything, numerous guidebooks and reference books have been written about this, and it makes no sense to list all this. It is better to just look at the photo of Pompeii and try to imagine the life of the townspeople of those distant times.
This sign meant the name of the street and the number of the house. By such signs, residents of the city could navigate.
The houses of wealthy Pompeians were decorated with figurines.
People once lived here, but it was all covered with ashes. There are frescoes on the walls.
Street in Pompeii, paved with paving stones.
The bins of Pompeii.
A few tips before visiting Pompeii (Pompei).
The streets of the city are paved with paving stones, it will be very uncomfortable to wear high heels, prepare suitable shoes in advance. At the entrance to the excavations, you can buy a guide map, it will be very convenient to navigate among the ruins. Five hours is enough to walk around and see everything in detail. Excursion to the archaeological complex "Pompeii" costs 12 euros per person. The entrance to the city of Pompeii itself is also paid, but I don’t remember the cost now.
Nowadays, scientists constantly warn local residents about the possibility of another sudden eruption. In this regard, it is forbidden to build houses above three floors. But, the fertile lands and the mass presence of tourists, whose money flows like a river into the treasury of the city and into the hands of the townspeople, dull the feeling of fear.
Luxurious mansions near the foot of Mount Vesuvius. And they are not afraid of any earthquakes.
Rich villas and mansions continue to spawn at the foot of the volcano in Pompeii, despite the warnings of seismologists. And an eruption and an earthquake can happen here at any moment. And who knows, maybe in a few thousand years our descendants will come here after excavations and be surprised at our way of life, trying to read the inscription on a candy wrapper from chewing gum.
Well, everyone knows this picture from childhood.
"Vesuvius Zev opened - the smoke gushed out in a club, the flame
Widely developed like a battle banner.
The earth is worried - from the staggering columns
Idols are falling! A people driven by fear
Under the stone rain, under the inflamed ashes,
Crowds, old and young, run out of the city.
A.S. Pushkin
On August 24, 79, the inhabitants of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii went about their usual business, unaware that these were their last hours of life. Earthquakes have been going on here for several days in a row, but people in this part of the world have long been accustomed to such phenomena, so they did not react to the elements until noon on August 24. Vesuvius has not erupted for hundreds of years, so no one expected that the formidable volcano would wake up on that day.
Over the next 2 days, the volcano hit the city as many as 6 times. Each eruption unleashed deadly gas fumes, puffs of ash and a rain of rock debris to the surface, followed by pyroclastic flows, even more dangerous than lava because of their high temperature and speed. After everything was over, Pompeii and all its inhabitants were buried under a 6-meter layer of volcanic debris and ash.
After being imprisoned for almost 1900 years, the victims of the elements were extracted from the ground by modern scientists, who, using the latest technologies, were able to study a civilization that was wiped off the face of the Earth in a matter of hours.
10. Pompeii residents burned alive
Until recently, the main cause of death for most of these unfortunate people was considered to be inhalation of volcanic gases and ash. However, according to a new study by volcanologist Giuseppe Mastrolorenzo and colleagues, hundreds of deaths occurred during the fourth wave of pyroclastic flow, which was at the same time the first such flow to reach Pompeii in all the two-day eruptions.
The scientists found that the fourth pyroclastic flow had much less ash than previously thought, about a 3-centimeter layer. The temperature of this deadly river was at least 300 ° C, so the death of its victims occurred instantly. People didn't have time to thrash about in agony and choke, and that's probably good news.
9. Approximately 75% of Pompeians are forever frozen in their last poses
Photo: steemit.com
The poses of people clearly demonstrate what they were doing when they were taken by surprise by an angry volcano. Many of them remained inside the houses with their families. Children and adults were literally sealed in layers of ash and volcanic debris.
The petrified remains of some of the victims were treated with gypsum plaster, and in one case even with resin, in order to preserve all the details of what happened almost 2000 years ago. The soft tissues of the Pompeians decomposed long ago, but all these skeletons are still intact, and the voids between the bones were filled with the mentioned solutions. It turns out that the photo in front of you is not replicas or sculptures, but real people, or at least what is left of them. Their skeletons are still inside these fossils.
In total, 86 of these plaster figures survived from about 2,000 dead. Remains suitable for plaster mummification are very rare, which explains why so few bodies have been preserved in this way. Today, excavations are still ongoing in the vicinity of Pompeii, so there is a chance to find other victims. However, the gypsum casting itself can severely damage the remains, so archaeologists no longer use this technology to preserve new finds.
In some cases, it was possible to preserve not only the postures of the dead, but also the expressions on their faces, full of death agony. One of the discovered victims clearly raised her hands to her face to protect herself from the approaching danger, which, of course, was an unsuccessful and purely reflective attempt to escape her inevitable fate. A heart-rending cry was forever frozen on the other face, and even the teeth in the man's mouth were perfectly preserved. Scientists also found a mother with a child, and a sitting man, covering his face with his hands in anticipation of impending death, as well as many crawling people, as if with the last of their strength trying to avoid their terrible fate. Archaeologists also came across the bodies of people curled up in the pose of a baby in the womb, as well as the dead, embracing each other in the last embrace.
None of us knows what our last moments of life would be like if something like this happened to us. However, in the case of one find, experts had big questions. One person was found lying on his back with his legs apart and his arms pressed against his lower body. Most of the unearthed victims clearly showed the most expected scenes of flight and horror, but for some reason this find was clearly different from all the others.
8. Garden of the Runaways - the place where the most dead were found
Photo: abc.net.au
According to experts, about 2,000 people died during the disaster in Pompeii, although archaeologists have so far discovered only about 1,150 bodies. This means that almost 18 thousand inhabitants of the ancient Roman city were able to escape from here when the deadly eruptions of Vesuvius began.
In the so-called Garden of the Runaways, the largest collection of bodies excavated in one place was found. As many as 13 people took refuge in this building, hoping to find refuge here. In the House of Mysteries, scientists discovered the remains of 9 people, who were sealed inside this building forever by a collapsed roof. In the thermal baths and in the fish market, 2 more victims were excavated. The other several dead were found in a vegetable market.
7. Pets of Pompeii residents
Photo: atlasobscura.com
Several animals have also been found in Pompeii. Once it was a prosperous city, and many of its inhabitants had their own pets, including dogs. The richest Pompeians kept horses, and some of the inhabitants had their own livestock. In addition, ordinary wild animals roamed around the city. Many of them also could not escape from a terrible fate.
Archaeologists found a pig at a food market. A small dog with a collar was also found there. She must have been someone's faithful pet. The animal was lying on its back, and its legs were frozen in a pose that testifies to the terrible suffering in its last minutes of life. It seems that the owners left the poor Fido (Fido, as scientists called the dog) on a leash in the market, and during the first eruption he managed to survive, climbing higher on the ash and pumice that filled the covered area. As a result, the animal, which was never freed from its chain, died when the fourth wave of pyroclastic rushed in, now reaching Pompeii. Perhaps the dog's owners left her on a chain to guard their belongings, hoping to return after the eruption when the city was safe. Instead, they effectively sentenced the poor beast to a gruesome death.
Recently, in the stable of one of the local villas, archaeologists discovered several more horses. Apparently, at least three animals managed to get out, and two horses were just equipped and prepared for their hasty evacuation. Alas, they could not be saved. Harnesses with valuable iron and bronze details left characteristic traces on the heads of dead animals, which led scientists to think that they had found very expensive pets. Perhaps it was a noble breed of racehorses or other parade horses.
In addition, at the excavation site, archaeologists stumbled upon the remains of donkeys and mules, but they did not make plaster figures from them so as not to damage the fragile skeletons of these ancient Roman animals.
6. Exotic food and Pompeian ketchup
Archaeologists have discovered perfectly preserved ancient Roman bread under a layer of dust and ash. Of course, there is nothing exotic in bread, but it still deserves special attention. It was an untouched round pastry, cut into 8 pieces and marked with a special baker's seal, because bakeries of that era were required to mark their products. The discovered bread retained its shape and texture for almost 2,000 years. By some miracle, he survived the eruption of Vesuvius and spent centuries under a 9-meter layer of ash and soil. Finding something like this at the site of an ancient catastrophe is a real sensation.
An extensive study conducted by the University of Cincinnati (University of Cincinnati), shed light on what the inhabitants of Pompeii ate and drank. To do this, scientists analyzed the organics they found in the kitchens and toilets of the defeated city. Yes, yes, experts studied ancient and already petrified fecal masses. As a result, they were able to identify traces of cereals, lentils, olives, eggs, nuts, fish and meat. All these products were the basis of the diet of the Pompeians.
The more wealthy and noble citizens ate imported food, including exotic spices, shellfish, sea urchins, pink flamingos, and even giraffes. Moreover, archaeologists have discovered the remains of a giraffe in the kitchen of a local restaurant. Study co-author Steven Ellis, a professor at the University of Cincinnati, said: “This is believed to be the only giraffe bone ever found during an archaeological dig in Roman Italy. Since the fragment of the slaughtered animal was supposedly found in the most ordinary city restaurant, we are talking not only about a fairly developed trade in exotic and wild animals from distant lands, but also about the fact that the diet of even ordinary residents was quite rich and varied.”
The researchers also learned that the people of Pompeii were very fond of garum, a fermented sauce made from the blood and innards of fish. To prepare such a sauce, the Romans left salted fish in the sun, and within 2 months it rotted to the required state. Some experts compare this product to Thai fish sauce, but for the ancient pompeians, it was more like a kind of ketchup. By the way, the highest quality garum was considered a very expensive product.
5 The Pompeians Had Very Healthy Teeth
Photo: Ancient Origins
Recent scans of recovered bodies have shown that the Pompeians had surprisingly beautiful and white teeth for their time, which also indicates their excellent overall health. The first century AD was never associated with good enough oral care, but the Pompeians had better teeth than the average European of those years. As the researchers note, the Pompeians looked after their teeth more closely than even most of us.
This phenomenon can be explained by the healthy diet of the ancient townspeople, because their diet included a lot of fruits and vegetables, and they almost did not eat sweets. In addition, fluorine was found in the local atmosphere and water, which, as you know, is a good helper in the fight against caries.
4. Two maidens turned out to be two men
Photo: The Telegraph
It used to be that the famous couple from Pompeii were exactly the girls hugging in the face of impending death. The dead were even called "Two maidens". However, in 2017, researchers found that the bodies found were actually male. They may even have been homosexuals.
The results of DNA analysis and computer scans of bones and teeth confirmed that the archaeologists found exactly men, and they were absolutely not blood relatives (not brothers, not father and son). According to DNA analysis, one man was about 18-20 years old, and the other at least 20.
One of the young men pressed his head against the chest of the other, as if in search of consolation or salvation. Of course, scientists cannot know for sure whether these men were lovers or not. However, the results of the DNA tests and the posture in which the couple was found clearly indicate a strong emotional connection between these dead Pompeians.
3. The people of Pompeii were a very depraved people.
Photo: slate.com
The sexual habits of the inhabitants of Pompeii would surely make many of you blush. No wonder the ancient Romans and Pompeians were considered followers of hedonism and people without complexes.
Pompeii, buried under a layer of ash and debris, was first discovered at the end of the 16th century. Then the city was excavated by workers who were digging a canal to change the course of the Sarno River. They called the Italian architect Domenico Fontana to evaluate their discovery, who was extremely confused by the erotic scenes on the frescoes of the city and other unearthed artifacts. As a result, the architect even ordered all these shameful finds to be buried back, because the artifacts were considered too scandalous and offensive for the sensitive contemporaries of Domenico Fontana.
The finds remained underground until the 18th century. However, even after repeated excavations, the most delicate treasures of Pompeii were treated with all caution. In 1819, Francis I, King of the Two Sicilies, was so shocked by the frankness of some Pompeian artifacts that he even ordered them to be locked up in secret. Only the most mature and dissolute gentlemen had access to these finds. Up until 2000, scandalous items were actually hidden from the public.
It turned out that the inhabitants of Pompeii decorated furniture, lamps and even musical pendants with phallic symbols. Erotic scenes were depicted in mosaics and frescoes right on the walls of simple houses. Sex was everywhere. One of the most revealing finds was a detailed sculpture of the god Pan (the patron saint of cattle breeding and fertility), copulating with a goat. The bag allegedly belonged to Julius Caesar's father-in-law, Lucius Pontifex.
In ancient Pompeii, brothels were quite popular establishments, and during the volcanic eruption, about 35 brothels were operating in the city. Prices were listed right on the walls of these establishments. The images of the services of brothels themselves also acted as wall paintings, which provided historians with useful information about what exactly awaited visitors in such haunted places. For example, archaeologists have found frescoes showing light-skinned women in various positions having sex with dark-skinned men on ornate beds.
However, the reality was much sadder. In contrast to the spectacular paintings on the walls, the workers in this industry lived in very sad conditions. Their rooms had regular stone beds and didn't even have windows. And no amenities.
2. Slave in chains
Photo: theexcavationsofpopeii.weebly.com
Despite the fact that many excavations have already been carried out in Pompeii to date, the dark history of slavery in this region is still not fully understood. Almost everything that we know, we draw from old drawings, frescoes and mosaics. Scholars are sure that slavery was a widespread practice in Pompeii, whether it was ordinary servants in houses or concubines and workers in brothels. For this society, forced labor of slaves was considered absolutely normal.
As in other cultures, the slaves in Pompeii were the property of the townspeople, and the owners could do with them as they pleased. The slaves of those years had very different responsibilities, but the most curious practice for archaeologists was the collection and use of urine as a cleaning agent. It turns out that Pompeian slaves collected urine and washed the things of their masters in it. Dirty linen was soaked in tanks with urine and water, and then slaves climbed in and trampled on these things, almost as they used to crush grapes in the villages to make wine. Here's a big wash...
Of course, the saddest picture appeared before archaeologists when they unearthed an ancient prison for slaves. During the eruption of Vesuvius, the chained slave could not leave his dungeon and died in chains. The man was found lying face down, with the chains still tied around his ankles.
1. The unluckiest guy in all of Pompeii
Photo: dailyherald.com
Just imagine all the chaos that was going on in the city during the eruption of Vesuvius - all the running around and horror, fires and air full of thick ash and smoke. The earth trembles and bursts at the seams, and the buildings around you almost pour on your head. Hot lava rushes straight at you, destroying everything in its path.
Now imagine that you managed to escape from all this horror, and thoughts like this have already sounded in your head: “Yes! I can break through." And then all of a sudden you get blown off your head by a huge rock... Yeah, it looks like it wasn't your day.
This is exactly what happened to one poor fellow, discovered by archaeologists in the vicinity of Pompeii. We don't know what his name was. We only know that his remains were found sticking out from under a huge cobblestone, where the deceased had lain for almost 2,000 years.
The experts concluded that this man managed to escape from the burning city, although they found an infection in his lower leg, which must have made escape difficult. Most likely, it was because of his leg that he did not have time to dodge the deadly boulder. The head of this poor fellow was never found anywhere.
