PompeiiPompeiiSources:Sources:

The Destruction of Pompeii & The Destruction of Pompeii & HerculaneumHerculaneum by C.A.R Hills by C.A.R Hills

Antiquity 1Antiquity 1 by by

Unlocking the PastUnlocking the Past by by

What has the discovery of What has the discovery of Pompeii & Herculaneum told Pompeii & Herculaneum told

us about ancient lifeus about ancient life??

Historical evidenceHistorical evidence

They bare whole towns with 2 storeyed They bare whole towns with 2 storeyed buildings in tact.buildings in tact.

Pots and jugs still in the kitchenPots and jugs still in the kitchen Meals still waiting on tables.Meals still waiting on tables. Historical records tend to only recount the Historical records tend to only recount the

activities of the rich BUT Pompeii gives us activities of the rich BUT Pompeii gives us evidence of how the ‘ordinary’ people lived.evidence of how the ‘ordinary’ people lived.

Very little of private houses left in Rome but Very little of private houses left in Rome but here in P and H many private houses and here in P and H many private houses and streets remain.streets remain.

The cityThe city

The following buildings/amenities have been excavatedThe following buildings/amenities have been excavatedforumforumtemplestemplestheatrestheatresamphitheatresamphitheatrespubic bathspubic bathspalaestrapalaestrashopsshopsprivate dwellingsprivate dwellings

Walled city with 8 gatesWalled city with 8 gates Streets paved and guttered with a good water supplyStreets paved and guttered with a good water supply

The Forum

The Forum pavement

Basilica – a public building

Basilica in Herculaneum, Hercules and Telephus with Arcadia

The Forum baths

Cork model of the Forum

Gladiator barracks

Temple of Apollo - Temple of Apollo - podiumpodium

Homes [Homes [domusdomus]]

Usually the wealthyUsually the wealthy Ornately decorated usuallyOrnately decorated usually Might stay in the one family for generationsMight stay in the one family for generations Typically faced inwardsTypically faced inwards Very plain looking from the outsideVery plain looking from the outside Designed for security, privacy and peace & quietDesigned for security, privacy and peace & quiet Few windows to the streetsFew windows to the streets Main hall [atrium] was fed light by opening in roofMain hall [atrium] was fed light by opening in roof Often 2 storeysOften 2 storeys Greek influence shown by Greek influence shown by peristylesperistyles, large open , large open

colonnaded courtyards at the back of the housecolonnaded courtyards at the back of the house These were often embellished with statues, These were often embellished with statues,

fountains & gardensfountains & gardens

Fountain - House of Fountain - House of Fontana GrandeFontana Grande

Homes Homes [cont…..][cont…..]

Homes for the poor might have been over a shop. Homes for the poor might have been over a shop. Ostia has good examples of this type of housing Ostia has good examples of this type of housing At the time of the eruption many larger houses At the time of the eruption many larger houses had been divided into a number of smaller flatshad been divided into a number of smaller flats

People tended to live in People tended to live in insulae insulae [large blocks][large blocks] Some houses split into flats for several families Some houses split into flats for several families

especially during the last ears before 79ADespecially during the last ears before 79AD No residential areaNo residential area 800 house have been excavated at Pompeii800 house have been excavated at Pompeii The ‘best’ 50-room mansions of 2000 square The ‘best’ 50-room mansions of 2000 square

metres down to homes of only a few roomsmetres down to homes of only a few rooms

Insula of Julia FelixInsula of Julia Felix

Homes Homes – features of a wealthy home – features of a wealthy home

The houses of Pompeii were exquisitely The houses of Pompeii were exquisitely designed. The size and décor of your house designed. The size and décor of your house usually depended on how rich you were. usually depended on how rich you were.

The houses in Pompeii never had doorsteps but The houses in Pompeii never had doorsteps but they always had gardens. The gardens were they always had gardens. The gardens were usually full of brightly coloured flowers and usually full of brightly coloured flowers and beautiful green trees. beautiful green trees.

As soon as you walk in the door of a Pompeian As soon as you walk in the door of a Pompeian house you are standing in the fauces. This is house you are standing in the fauces. This is also known as the entrance hall. In older houses also known as the entrance hall. In older houses the fauces was usually divided into two. It was the fauces was usually divided into two. It was also sometimes used as a cloakroom the door also sometimes used as a cloakroom the door posts in the fauces was beautifully decorated posts in the fauces was beautifully decorated and the floor in a wealthy house would be and the floor in a wealthy house would be covered with a mosaiccovered with a mosaic

Heating hypocaustHeating hypocaust

Fauces -Fauces -HouseHouseofofFaunFaun

Homes Homes [cont…..] –features of a wealthy home[cont…..] –features of a wealthy home

If you walk through the fauces you arrive at the main If you walk through the fauces you arrive at the main room room [atrium][atrium], this was where guests were , this was where guests were received. The atrium was covered by a roof which received. The atrium was covered by a roof which sloped downwards to allow rainwater to enter the sloped downwards to allow rainwater to enter the impluviumimpluvium. Every house had an impluvium; this . Every house had an impluvium; this was a pool for rainwater that then carried the water was a pool for rainwater that then carried the water down into a system for general use. In the corner of down into a system for general use. In the corner of the atrium there was a the atrium there was a lararium [lararium [shrine for the shrine for the household gods]. The families would worship their household gods]. The families would worship their household gods every morning and every evening. household gods every morning and every evening.

After the After the atriumatrium, there was the , there was the tablinumtablinum. This was . This was a room were all the business between the master of a room were all the business between the master of the house and his clients took place. The the house and his clients took place. The tablinum tablinum was divided from the was divided from the atrium atrium by curtains or a by curtains or a wooden screen. It opened out into the gardenwooden screen. It opened out into the garden

Couch, from the “House of Couch, from the “House of Carbonized Furniture”Carbonized Furniture”

Atrium from tablinum – House of the Tragic Atrium from tablinum – House of the Tragic PoetPoet

Atrium from entrance – House of the Tragic Atrium from entrance – House of the Tragic PoetPoet

CompluviumCompluvium

House of the House of the Tragic PoetTragic Poet

Homes Homes [cont…..] –features of a wealthy home[cont…..] –features of a wealthy home

Next to the Next to the tablinum tablinum was the was the triclinumtriclinum, which was , which was also known as the winter dining room. This room had also known as the winter dining room. This room had three large couches with cushions and also with three large couches with cushions and also with niches in the walls for supporting extra wooden niches in the walls for supporting extra wooden couches. Each couch was allocated to certain people couches. Each couch was allocated to certain people e.g. The first couch was occupied by the master of the e.g. The first couch was occupied by the master of the house and the chief guest was seated on the middle house and the chief guest was seated on the middle couch.  couch.  

At the back of the house was the summer dining room At the back of the house was the summer dining room also known as the also known as the triclinium triclinium this room opened out this room opened out into the garden. The couches in this room were in the into the garden. The couches in this room were in the shape of a three-sided square. Opening out into the shape of a three-sided square. Opening out into the garden was broad windows, and in the garden there garden was broad windows, and in the garden there were stone couches that would not rot in the rain. were stone couches that would not rot in the rain.

Tablinum – House of FaunTablinum – House of Faun

Triclinum – Tragic PoetTriclinum – Tragic Poet

Kitchen in the House of the Kitchen in the House of the Tragic PoetTragic Poet

Homes Homes [cont…..] –features of a wealthy home[cont…..] –features of a wealthy home

In a Pompeian house there was no set place for a In a Pompeian house there was no set place for a kitchen kitchen but it was usually behind the but it was usually behind the atriumatrium, the toilet was often , the toilet was often next door or even inside the kitchen. The contents of the next door or even inside the kitchen. The contents of the toilet drained off into a pit. Only public toilets had a toilet drained off into a pit. Only public toilets had a sewage system. sewage system.

Then there was the Then there was the peristyliumperistylium, which was the garden. , which was the garden. The surrounding walls of a Pompeian garden were painted The surrounding walls of a Pompeian garden were painted with outdoor scenes. The most popular style garden was with outdoor scenes. The most popular style garden was with a colonnade, which offered the people of the house with a colonnade, which offered the people of the house some shade during summer. some shade during summer.

Pompeian houses were always Pompeian houses were always painted white painted white to keep to keep them cool. Around a Pompeian there was always beautiful them cool. Around a Pompeian there was always beautiful painting representing things like gods or there were painting representing things like gods or there were usually a lot of paintings showing sexual scenes. usually a lot of paintings showing sexual scenes.

Pompeian houses were beautifully built and decorated. Pompeian houses were beautifully built and decorated. The richer you were the more mosaics and paintings you The richer you were the more mosaics and paintings you had in your house.had in your house.

Peristyle - House of Amorini DoratiPeristyle - House of Amorini Dorati

11stst peristyle – House of Faun peristyle – House of Faun

2nd peristyle – House of Faun

Room off the peristyle – House of Amorini Dorati

Religion- temples

10 excavated in Pompeii Two functions – to house the gods and be a place for rituals to be

carried out by the priests Not places of regular worship by the public [except temple of

Isis] Temple of Apollo rebuilt and remodelled several times, and

enlarged after 62AD Temple of Venus which had been destroyed in 62 had only just

begun to be rebuilt in 79 When Pompeii became a Roman colony in 80BC the temple of

Jupiter was converted to the temple of the Jupiter, Juno and Minerva – it had not been repaired after 62

2 temples associated with imperial [Roman] rule were temples of Vespasian, and Fortuna Augusta

Temple of Jupiter

Religion At least 2 eastern religions practiced in Pompeii – an ivory

figurine of a Hindu fertility goddess, Lakshmi and a bronze bust of the near Eastern fertility goddess, Sabzias found

Shrines & altars also found on the streets, many at crossroads 1 shrine near a fountain on the Via dell’Abondanza had the

charred remains of a sacrifice made at the time of the eruption Images of gods were painted on the alls of shops In the temples rituals etc were carried by priests and priestesses Images of Venus found throughout Pompeii – the goddess of love

and success One aspiring politician wrote in graffiti, “Vote for me and the

Venus of Pompeii will bring success to everything you undertake”

Temple of Apollo with altar

Religion- Religion- Temple of IsisTemple of Isis

• Dedicated to the Egyptian god, Isis• Worshippers of Isis met in then temple twice a day• 1st in the morning celebrating the rising of the sun, the

rebirth of Osiris• 2nd in the early afternoon ceremony of water, where Nile

water was blessed• Badly damaged in 62 but fully rebuilt by freedman in the

name of his son, N Popidius Celsinus• Ceremonial objects found with skeletons suggesting the

priests had fled Vesuvius with statues, a silver urn and other vessels

Religion- Religion- householdhousehold

• Household religion was central to roman citizens at the time.

• Houses in Pompeii had small shrines [lararium]• Each day offerings were made to the household

gods• After the earthquake of 62 most lararia were

quickly restored• In 79AD people fled with their lares as many

lararia found without their lares as well as many being found in the streets near skeletons

• Vesta the goddess of the hearth [fireplace]• Panates, guardian spirits of the pantry!!

PaintingsPaintings

• Despite kitchens and bedrooms often being small even in the better houses, generally they were much more beautiful than modern houses.

• Floor mosaics, wall paintings & decoration exist in abundance in Pompeii & Herculaneum.

• Art historians are able to identify 4 styles of painting

• Most famous paintings at Pompeii are those of the Villa of Mysteries showing initiation ceremonies into the worship of the Greek god, Dionysius.

• These are great works of art BUT also very important historical documents.

Painting of Narcissus – House of Loreius Tiburtinus

PaintingsPaintings cont…. cont….

• 4 main points about Roman wall painting• Ancient houses were painted much more than

today. Today we tend to think of individually commissioned murals as reserved for only the very rich yet in Pompeii and Herculaneum it was a daily occurrence.

• Quality varies from room to room. The more important, and therefore more highly visible and visited rooms, received better paintings.

• Paintings must be considered in the context of the architecture settings in which they occur. What was the function of the room? Was it well lit? How does it work with pavements? With furniture?

• Wall paintings are a measure of the artistic taste and social aspirations of the owner of the house.

Painting of the Poet – House of Menander

Painting to right of fountain in Painting to right of fountain in the House of Fontana Piccolathe House of Fontana Piccola

Paintings in the House of Paintings in the House of Ara MassimaAra Massima

Villa of MysteriesVilla of Mysteries

Painting in the Villa of Painting in the Villa of Mysteries Mysteries

StreetsStreets Had raised pavements on either sideHad raised pavements on either side Stepping stones placed at intervals so people Stepping stones placed at intervals so people

could sidestep water and rubbishcould sidestep water and rubbish Streets were cobbledStreets were cobbled Evidence of many ruts in the streets from Evidence of many ruts in the streets from

traffictraffic Streets very narrow by modern standardsStreets very narrow by modern standards Rarely more than 4 metres wide in Pompeii Rarely more than 4 metres wide in Pompeii

while those of Herculaneum were even narrow while those of Herculaneum were even narrow hardly wide enough for a chariothardly wide enough for a chariot

Most intersections had a public fountain with Most intersections had a public fountain with sculptured headstonessculptured headstones

Pompeian StreetPompeian Street

Villa of Mysteries room Villa of Mysteries room with frescoeswith frescoes

Another Pompeian street with stepping stones and Another Pompeian street with stepping stones and wheel ruts. NB how narrow they are!!wheel ruts. NB how narrow they are!!

Shops & Hotels etcShops & Hotels etc

Much evidence of shops, workshops, hotels, restaurants Much evidence of shops, workshops, hotels, restaurants & places of entertainment& places of entertainment

One hotel in Pompeii has a large dining room, kitchen One hotel in Pompeii has a large dining room, kitchen and 6 bedroomsand 6 bedrooms

Some guest wrote their names in bedroomsSome guest wrote their names in bedrooms

Two friends, Lucius & Primigenus, shared one room and Two friends, Lucius & Primigenus, shared one room and 4 actors shred another4 actors shred another

Plenty of snack bars [Plenty of snack bars [thermopoliathermopolia] in Pompeii – you can ] in Pompeii – you can still see food counters & containers from which dishes still see food counters & containers from which dishes were servedwere served

No large scale industry nor factories in Pompeii but No large scale industry nor factories in Pompeii but plenty of small scale business such as dry cleaners, plenty of small scale business such as dry cleaners, bakersbakers

Shop with wooden clothes pressShop with wooden clothes press

Thermopolium & fountainThermopolium & fountain

Public buildingsPublic buildings

Amphitheatre the oldest surviving in the empire Amphitheatre the oldest surviving in the empire [c 80BC][c 80BC]

Lacks the network of underground rooms found at Lacks the network of underground rooms found at the Colosseum in Romethe Colosseum in Rome

Forum, temples, law courts, council offices, Forum, temples, law courts, council offices, business headquartersbusiness headquarters

One of the earliest buildings found in Pompeii was One of the earliest buildings found in Pompeii was the Temple of Apollo [6the Temple of Apollo [6thth C BC] C BC]

A temple to a Greek god at this time suggests the A temple to a Greek god at this time suggests the early influence of Greek colonistsearly influence of Greek colonists

Fortified townsFortified townsPompeii has strong walls, towers and gatesPompeii has strong walls, towers and gates

Earliest sections of wall date from 5Earliest sections of wall date from 5thth C BC C BC

12 towers added in about 100BC12 towers added in about 100BC

Sulla besieged the town in 89 BC during the revolt of much Sulla besieged the town in 89 BC during the revolt of much of Italy against Rome in what has become known as the of Italy against Rome in what has become known as the Social War [Social War [socii socii is Latin for ‘allies’]is Latin for ‘allies’]

Herculaneum also had walls though les well preservedHerculaneum also had walls though les well preserved

An indication of how peaceful the Roman empire had An indication of how peaceful the Roman empire had become is the existence of grand houses on the promontory become is the existence of grand houses on the promontory overlooking the sea at Herculaneum often using parts of the overlooking the sea at Herculaneum often using parts of the defensive wall as sun terraces!!defensive wall as sun terraces!!

Cemeteries were outside the town gates by Roman customCemeteries were outside the town gates by Roman custom

GraffitiGraffiti

This gives us a real insight into the real thoughts of the This gives us a real insight into the real thoughts of the ordinary citizen, adult or child, of Pompeiiordinary citizen, adult or child, of Pompeii

Herculaneum [a more dignified town!?] had far less graffitiHerculaneum [a more dignified town!?] had far less graffiti Much related to the annual March elections for town officialsMuch related to the annual March elections for town officials It is said of one candidate that It is said of one candidate that “he stands for good bread”“he stands for good bread”

[[bonam panem fertbonam panem fert]] Another said that Another said that “Vibius Restitutus slept here alone and “Vibius Restitutus slept here alone and

missed his dear Urbana”missed his dear Urbana”!!!!!! One girls rejects the overtures of Tertius because he is too One girls rejects the overtures of Tertius because he is too

ugly!ugly! Obscene graffiti is very common, both heterosexual and Obscene graffiti is very common, both heterosexual and

homosexualhomosexual Someone else write “everyone writes on walls except me”Someone else write “everyone writes on walls except me” A schoolboy also writes that if you don’t like the works of A schoolboy also writes that if you don’t like the works of

Cicero you will be whacked!!Cicero you will be whacked!!

GraffitiGraffiti cont…. cont….

Gladiators get much praise – Celadus the Thracian is Gladiators get much praise – Celadus the Thracian is “the girls “the girls heart throb”heart throb” [ [suspirium puellarumsuspirium puellarum]]

Actors seem equally popular – one group inform us that they are Actors seem equally popular – one group inform us that they are “companions of the Paris Club”“companions of the Paris Club” while another writes “Actius our while another writes “Actius our favourite, come back quicklyfavourite, come back quickly

There are signs of a high level of literary culture with Virgil, There are signs of a high level of literary culture with Virgil, Tibullus, Lucretius and Ovid being quoted [think of you quoting Tibullus, Lucretius and Ovid being quoted [think of you quoting Shakespeare!]Shakespeare!]

Some of these literary quotes, obviously by children judging by Some of these literary quotes, obviously by children judging by their height, are probably an attempt to show off what they had their height, are probably an attempt to show off what they had learnt at schoollearnt at school

One adult quoted or wrote some delightful folk poetryOne adult quoted or wrote some delightful folk poetryNothing lasts foreverNothing lasts foreverthough the sun shines goldthough the sun shines goldit must sink into the seait must sink into the seaThe moon has also disappearedThe moon has also disappearedwhich but now so brightly gleamedwhich but now so brightly gleamedso if the loved one ragesso if the loved one rageshold fast, this storm will soon yieldhold fast, this storm will soon yieldto the soft Zephyrsto the soft Zephyrs

Some more graffiti!!!Some more graffiti!!!

Samius to Cornelius – go hang yourself!Samius to Cornelius – go hang yourself! Health to those who invite me to lunchHealth to those who invite me to lunch The weaver, Successus, loves Iris the The weaver, Successus, loves Iris the

slave of the innkeeper’s wifeslave of the innkeeper’s wife I am surprised, O wall, that you who I am surprised, O wall, that you who

have to bear the weariness of so many have to bear the weariness of so many writers, are still standingwriters, are still standing

Lovers, like bees, need a life of honeyLovers, like bees, need a life of honey

Real people!Real people!

It has been possible to identify individuals of Pompeii.It has been possible to identify individuals of Pompeii. A bronze statue of the banker Lucius Caecilius A bronze statue of the banker Lucius Caecilius

Iucundus includes a wart on his faceIucundus includes a wart on his face There is also a wall? painting of a young married There is also a wall? painting of a young married

couple holding a papyrus roll and a wax tablet couple holding a papyrus roll and a wax tablet possibly showing Paquius Proculus who we know rose possibly showing Paquius Proculus who we know rose from being a baker to the town official of from being a baker to the town official of aedileaedile

We know that 7 children died in an upper room of the We know that 7 children died in an upper room of the house of Paquius Proculushouse of Paquius Proculus

Population of Pompeii has been quoted as between Population of Pompeii has been quoted as between 8000 and 10,000 [antiquity 1] but generally as about 8000 and 10,000 [antiquity 1] but generally as about 20,00020,000

Real people!Real people! Cont….Cont….

One piece of graffiti states “Hail, profit!” perhaps One piece of graffiti states “Hail, profit!” perhaps giving us a real glimpse of what Pompeians were giving us a real glimpse of what Pompeians were all about!!all about!!

40% slaves40% slaves We know that the following were included We know that the following were included

amongst the people of Pompeii: artists, metal amongst the people of Pompeii: artists, metal workers, glass blowers, potters as well as bakers, workers, glass blowers, potters as well as bakers, inn keepers, weaving & spinning [cottage inn keepers, weaving & spinning [cottage industries], wine making, olive oil production, industries], wine making, olive oil production, bath attendants and brothel keepers!bath attendants and brothel keepers!

Venus, goddess of love, was the patron god of the Venus, goddess of love, was the patron god of the city!city!