Urban Planning: Pompeii

Question 1

What is the archaeological importance of Pompeii?

Answer 1

It’s unique state of preservation caused by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius gives us a much clearer picture of what a typical Roman town looked like

Question 2

Why did Pompeii flourish?

Answer 2

The areas around the volcanoes had much more fertile lands from the volcanic ash, producing fine wine, & the town’s proximity to the Sarno river as a communication channel

Question 3

Proof that Pompeii flourished?

Answer 3

Even as a medium-sized town, there were many luxurious homes

Question 4

Who lived in Pompeii before the Romans?

Answer 4

Established in the 7th century by native italic peoples who spoke Oscan & later inhabited by the Samnites (who also spoke oscan)

Question 5

How was Pompeii effected by it’s transformation into a Roman colony?

Answer 5

Not by much; it only had a limited effect on Pompeii’s economic & social structure

Question 6

What are the parts of the general urban character of a Roman city?

Answer 6

Atrium & row houses, shops fronting the streets, streets with sidewalks & curbs defining the footpaths, & residential areas

Question 7

How many districts are in the the typical Roman city & what are they?

Answer 7

4 districts: Forum, theatrical entertainment, central bath, & residential

Question 8

Describe the forum district

Answer 8

A large, plaza-like, civic space, surrounded by columns to support porticoes, spaces for public notices to be posted for the public, honourary statues, & a Temple to Jupiter

Question 9

What’s an observable difference between the Greek & Roman civic spaces?

Answer 9

The Roman civic spaces have food markets within the forum, whereas Greek civic spaces have a separate space for markets

Question 10

What new cult emerged in the Roman Empire?

Answer 10

The cult of the Roman Emperor, their temples displayed images of the imperial family as gods would be in temples

Question 11

What was Eumachia’s Building?

Answer 11

A guildhall of cloth trade - important enough to Roman life that it had a place in the heart of the city

Question 12

Describe the Theatrical district

Answer 12

Not too far from the forum, had 2 theatres, (larger & smaller), & the Quadriporticus of the Gladiators

Question 13

Describe the Large Theatre

Answer 13

Had a Greek style, with the seating area taking up just over a semicircle, VIP seating in the front (Ima Cavea) + 2 other sectors (Media & Summa), & occasionally used for voting

Question 14

Describe the Oedion (Smaller Theatre)

Answer 14

More of a concert hall & had a roof that was made of wood

Question 15

Describe the Quadriporticus of the Theatre

Answer 15

Connected to the Large Theatre, originally a gymnasium for sport & music, turned into a gladiator barracks when taken over by Rome

Question 16

What happened to the art that decorated the Quadriporticus?

Answer 16

Most has been lost to time, as archaeology wasn’t very good at the time of discovery. All that remains are drawings made by the original archaeologists who knew that their methods weren’t as good as they could be

Question 17

Describe the district for Ampitheatre

Answer 17

The Ampitheatre was a Hallmark of Roman architecture, had a similar setup as the theatres (except the seats went all the way around), stairs on the outside to get up to the higher seats, known as “Spectacula” in Pompeii, & had an optional fabric roof used in advertising

Question 18

Describe the Palestra Grande

Answer 18

1 complex with the ampitheatre, whatever

Question 19

Describe the Residential district

Answer 19

In the same area as the Central Bath, would have more than 1 bathing complex, needed a ticket for entrance, for men & women, the one in Pompeii is the most modest version, 3 bathing rooms