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