1. Cities of Vesuvius - Pompeii & Herculaneum Flashcards
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Where were Pompeii and Herculaneum located?
In the region of Campania, near the Bay of Naples in southern Italy.
What natural feature was crucial to the fate of Pompeii and Herculaneum?
Mount Vesuvius, whose eruption in AD 79 buried the cities.
What was the environment of Campania like?
Rich volcanic soil, ideal for agriculture like wine and olive production.
How did the eruption of AD 79 impact the cities?
Buried both cities, preserving buildings, artifacts, and some organic matter.
What phases were involved in the eruption of Vesuvius?
Plinian phase (ash and pumice fall) and pyroclastic flows.
What were early excavation approaches like?
Focused on treasure hunting without systematic methods.
Who introduced systematic excavation methods at Pompeii?
Karl Weber and Giuseppe Fiorelli.
What modern techniques are used in excavations?
Stratigraphic excavation, plaster casts, 3D scanning.
Name some types of buildings found in Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Forums, temples, baths, theaters, houses, villas, apartments.
What do inscriptions and graffiti in the cities tell us?
Provide personal messages, political slogans, and advertisements.
What was the social structure in Pompeii and Herculaneum?
Elites, freedmen, and slaves.
What were the main economic activities in these cities?
Agriculture, trade, baking, textile production, garum manufacturing.
Name some leisure activities in Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Gladiatorial games, theater performances, bathing.
What challenges face the preservation of these sites?
Weather exposure, tourism impact, vandalism.
