ANCIENT CULTURESARTICLE
S
Once a beautiful seaside community, Pompeii was a popular vacation destination for the elite citizens of Rome and Italy. It had luxurious spas and baths, fabulous resorts, and extraordinary entertainment. Because it was on the coast, it was easy to get to. As a result, Pompeii was also a main trading port in Italy.
When Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE, it helped to preserve aspects of what everyday life in this ancient city was like. Left for centuries, many of the unexcavated areas in the walled city of Pompeii have yet to be excavated. But you can explore what archeologists have discovered so far!
1. MARINE GATE Acting as the main
entrance into the walled city of Pompeii, the Marine Gate led to and from the sea and ports.
2. TEMPLE OF VENUS
This was one of the fi rst temples built in Pompeii. People worshipped the goddess of beauty, as creator and Mother of the Universe, with power over life and death.
3. CIVIC FORUM The Civic Forum
was considered the heart of the city. It was a large public square surrounded by important buildings.
The temples of Apollo, Minerva, and Jupiter were located here as well.
4. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION BUILDINGS
Many important buildings were located here, including Government buildings, law offi ces, and the courthouse.
5. TEMPLE OF ISIS This temple had to
be rebuilt when it was damaged in an earthquake 17 years before Pompeii was destroyed.
6. GRAND THEATRE With a capacity of
5,000 people, this theatre was used for large plays, such as comedies or pantomimes with dance.
7. ODEON This smaller covered
theatre was used for musical performances and poetry readings.
8. NOCERIAN GATE A grand entrance used
for both the Necropolis and Amphitheatre.
9. NECROPOLIS One of the most
important and largest burial sites in Pompeii, the necropolis consists
of many beautifully decorated tombs.
10. PALAESTRA A large open space
where Gladiators often practiced. It was also used as a gathering place for the audiences of the amphitheatre.
11. AMPHITHEATRE The oldest surviving
Roman amphitheatre, with a capacity of 20,000, it was used for sport competitions and Pompeii’s most popular spectator sport, Gladiatorial battles.
12. CENTRAL BATHS Public bath houses
were a feature of all Roman cities. In large
complexes of hot and cold pools, people socialized, washed, and exercised. Few private houses had their own baths. This one was centrally located, the largest, and most popular in the city.
13. VESUVIAN GATE This gate led to
farmlands surrounding the base of Mt. Vesuvius and access to central Italy.
14. TEMPLE OF FORTUNA
AUGUSTA A place of worship, this
temple was dedicated to the Goddess Fortuna and the Emperor Augustus.
Beautiful Pompeii