Pompeii is the land of ruins!
Something that will make you question human evolution! 😶
I wasn’t expecting the city to be so well-preserved…the society to be so developed, or the size of the archaeological site!
Without giving you more snapshots…let’s just elaborate the Pompeii that I captured in my eyes!
Let the words….do the rest of the work!
Amazing Pompeii Facts
A city of 600 years!
Prior to the tragic Mount Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD… Pompeii was a well-established city of 600 years old.
Even if the oldest evidence does not date back further than the sixth century…Pompeii was created by the Oscans…unlike the other towns in Campania that were primarily founded by Greek colonists. 🌏
It was most likely erected in the 9th to 8th century B.C. The village grew on lava terracing that had been created many centuries prior!
The port city: Pompeii!
Pompeii was formerly a thriving port city with a view of the ocean!
The location of the city now is many miles inland.
About 170 acres make up the city…of which about 1/3 have not yet been excavated!
It had a harbor and was situated at the Sarnum River’s mouth. 🌱
Some scientists even believe there are two harbors! Few people are aware of Pompeii as a Roman port city….despite the fact that it is the most well-known ancient city in Italy, second only to Rome!!
A commercial hub: Pompeii!
With an estimated 12,000 inhabitants…Pompeii was a vibrant city and lucrative commercial hub.
Slaves made up one-third of the population!
Many of the slaves’ bones were discovered in chains!!
It has a tragic history with so-called benefits of commerce!
Pompeii: A city that was below the ashes!
The city was covered in ash for 48 hours….but it wasn’t the sole factor in the tragedy!
However, the ash and pumice in some places reached a depth of 20 feet!!
Can you imagine?
Scientists have shown that heat was frequently the real cause of mortality….
In order to produce steam rooms, the bathhouses were even fitted with pipes in the walls and vents!!
Fullonica di Stephanus: Pompeii’s Laundry!
The Fullonica di Stephanus is an unearthed public laundry….
It has enormous stone basins for washing…an above terrace for drying the clothes! You can even get a machine to press the clothing!! AMAZING… isn’t it?
Running water was used to clean the garments…as well as a unique form of clay that had been combined with urine!!
Weird… but true!
Pompeii is holding the history intact!
Many of the sculptures…beautiful wall and floor frescoes and complex marble mosaics are still intact!!
In the most affluent parts of the city, it makes you feel refined!
The luxurious features seen in modern residences…such as swimming pools, fountains, gardens, atriums, and outdoor eating areas, were common in the mansions of the wealthy!
The city was already living their time ahead!!
Some homes even have big dog mosaics that are comparable to modern “beware of dog” warnings!
Irrigation systems can be found in the streets!
Large stepping stones were used to create crosswalks at the street corners!
But why?
So that people could cross the streets without having to step through the rain…sewage…or other filth. 🛣
Additionally, you can make out the ruts that the chariots’ wheels left behind on the streets’ stones!
Cat eye stones: A famous thing in Pompeii!
If you look attentively…you can see tiny “cat-eye” stones positioned on the street in between the pavers!
For those who were out after dark…these would reflect the moonlight and aid in illuminating the path back home.
Technologically advanced…yet with zero machineries!!
Kind of Mommies! But no, it’s a tragedy!
There are a lot of plaster casts of bodies on exhibit…including several of dogs! 🌏
The bodies had decomposed, leaving just the bones and an empty space in the exact shape of their bodies at the time of death, as archaeologists discovered while excavating the city.
To recreate their appearance…..the archaeologists would next inject liquid plaster into the hole.
Their features appear to be frozen in time, allowing you to plainly discern their agonized expressions.
The victims’ bones are still inside the molds…..which are exact copies of the bodies as they were previously preserved!!
Pompeii Forum: The City’s Pride!
For residents and guests…the forum served as a space for social, political, and religious gatherings.
There were barricades to prevent carts and chariots from entering the pedestrian-only area!
The temple, basilica, office buildings, and a plethora of marketplaces and stores are all there.🌟
You can still see the stone bowls that were once used to display things for sale in the markets today. Even burnt loaves of bread with the baker’s mark on them have been found in the bakeries!
Brothels of Pompeii are still in business!
One of the oldest professions in the world…prostitution was prevalent in Pompeii.
Since the city is a port, tourists would travel from all over!
On the walls of brothels…images of various sexual positions were painted in order to break down the language barrier!
Men were sent to a room with a stone bed after pointing to the photo menu!
The Roman god of sex and fertility, Priapus, is frequently honored in the city by paintings or carvings of male genitalia.
Mount Vesuvius: The Volcanic mountain!
It’s difficult to comprehend when you look at Mount Vesuvius that it once had a beautiful cone shape and was covered in lush flora!!
Mound more than 40 times since the first eruption in 79 AD!
It last erupted in 1944, though!!⛰️
Due to the substantial population at the mountain’s base and its turbulent past, Mount Vesuvius is currently regarded as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world!
The remains of the earthquake damage are still visible!
There was a severe earthquake that occurred in 62 AD and left behind significant damage!
In several places…recovery and reconstruction were still underway when the volcano erupted.
You can imagine this…how severe the earthquake had been!!
Pompeii’s average life expectancy: 35 years!
There is proof that diseases like malaria…arthritis…and tooth decay brought on by a diet high in sweets were widespread!
Thus, in a survey…it was identified that the life expectancy has come down to 35 Years!
However, the authorities are taking steps to end the problem!!
Naples National Archeological Museum: Storing the artifacts of Pompeii!
The Naples National Archaeological Museum in Naples…. now houses a large number of the artifacts!
These were excavated and taken from Pompeii!
It is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Italy!
It is because of its vicinity to the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum….
The National Archaeological Museum, which has a sizable collection of Greek and Roman artifacts, is thus in the ideal location!!
Amphitheatre of Pompeii: You can see the gladiator battle!
Pompeii….like Rome, includes an amphitheater!
It has the visual of bloody gladiator battles. 🌇
However….they were outlawed for a while after a brawl between rival fans that left a number of people dead.
Eventually, Nero brought back the battles.
Summing up
The top of Mount Vesuvius…. is the archeological site of Herculaneum.
Here….you will undoubtedly discover a lot more amazing facts….but maybe this information will help you get ready for what you will learn!
I hope you have enjoyed what I wanted to express through this article!
Although…words are not enough to elaborate the ruins and remains!!
If you are enlightened by this…and want to have some more historical stories…do visit this website!!
I’m a former teacher (and mother of Two Childs) with a background in child development. Here to help you with play-based learning activities for kids. ( Check my Next startup Cledemy.Com)
