Pompeii and Herculaneum CORE: 2 Flashcards
(146 cards)
Detail the geographical context of Pompeii.
- Sources: Map of Campania, Strabo “Geography”, Pliny the Elder “Natural History”, Florus “Brief History”.
- located in Rome
- near the Bay of Naples
- Southern area of Campania
- built on volcanic plateau, between the Sarno River and Mount Vesuvius
- 66 hectares
- connected coast with fertile agricultural region inland
- south of Mount Vesuvius
- economic prosperity due to fertile plains
Detail the geographical context of Herculaneum.
- Source: Map of Campania
- located in Rome
- near Bay of Naples
- South area of Campania
- 7km from Mount Vesuvius
- steep landscape
- approx: 12-20 hectares (entire town not yet excavated)
What are the resources of Pompeii and Herculaneum?
• access to natural water springs for drinking
- this water went through an aqueduct
• ideal climate for growing food: hot dry summer, mild moist winters, early spring
• natural vegetation grew along rivers e.g. willow trees, rosemary
• used pumice as millstones for grinding grain and pressing olives
- also used to build roads and buildings
• flowers, roses, used for perfume
• olives used for olive oil
• grapes used to produce wine
• coast provided seafood e.g. tuna, anchovies, eels
- fish garum
Seneca’s evidence on resources.
- pleasant bay
* bounded by sea
Pliny the Elders evidence on resources.
- life sustaining
- healthy atmosphere
- mild climate
- forest
- corn, vines and olives
- sheep
The Fresco from the House of the Centenary (Pompeii) tells us what?
Shows fertile plains, grapes, birds, rich nature.
Plans and streetscapes of Pompeii, what’s the area and the type of roads?
Area: 66-67 hectares
only two-thirds excavated
Roads: narrow valleys, 5 metres wide
Plans and streetscapes of Pompeii, what’s the gradient slope, architectural influence?
Gradient/Slope: 10-40m above sea level
Architectural influence: Greek
Plans and streetscapes of Pompeii, water, houses, gates.
Water: flowed into water tower from aqueduct in Misenum
• went to three main pipes
Houses: one storey
Gates: 8 gates named after towns they lead to
Plans and streetscapes of Pompeii, towers, public fountains, traffic.
Towers: 12
42 Public Fountains
Heavy traffic, imprint on roads
Plans and streetscapes of Herculaneum, what’s the area and the type of roads?
Area: 12-20 hectares
- only 4 complete insulae blocks excavated
Roads: wide for Roman town, 2.5-7 metres wide
- Streets paved with stone
Plans and streetscapes of Herculaneum, what’s the gradient slope, architectural influence?
Gradient/Slope: very steep
Architectural influence: Greek
Plans and streetscapes of Herculaneum, water, houses,
Water: through drains, flowed into fountains from aqueducts
Houses: two storey
Plans and streetscapes of Herculaneum, public fountains, traffic.
3 Fountains
Less traffic, better drainage
Ancient Writers for Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Pliny the Younger - Letters: details of the eruption
Strabo - Geography: geographical setting, historical background of Pompeii
Suetonius - Titus: Relief work in Campania after eruption
Dio Cassius – Roman History: Eruption
Pliny the Elder – Natural History: Geography of Pompeii and Herculaneum
Official Inscriptions in P/H
Official inscriptions
• at Hall of the Augustales: Herculaneum
• family tomb of Clodii: “Aulus Clodius Flaccus, son of Aulus… on the next day in the Amphitheatre (he presented) by himself 30 pairs of athletes and 5 pairs of gladiators” (CIL X 1074d)
Graffiti in P/H
• near Amphitheatre in Pompeii of actors: “Actius, master of stage performers”
Wall paintings and frescos? P/H
paint painted on wet plaster, become fixed as it dries
• Sappho fresco: Pompeii
Statues? P/H
MARCUS NONIUS BALBUS: HERCULANEUM
Mosaics P/H
House of Faun Pompeii
Human remains P/H
- Skeletons found in Boatsheds at Herculaneum
* Plaster cast bodies Pompeii
Animal remains P/H
• Chained dog at Museum at Boscoreale
What are limitations of sources?
- Incomplete sources
- Problems dating political notices
- Parts of both Herculaneum and Pompeii have not been excavated
- Lack of written sources about every day life
Reliability and Evaluation of Sources?
- Where was it found?
- Who made it?
- When was it written?
- Who wrote it?