CLA - Mt Vesuvius Flashcards
What room could be seen from the street? What happened as a result of this?
The atrium, causing them to be filled with lavish, expensive items
What was the impluvium?
A shallow basin (usually made of marble) which collected the rainwater that fell through a gap in the ceiling (Compluvium) above.
Approximately how many people died in the eruption in Pompeii and Herculaneum?
16,000
When did the eruption begin and finish?
24 August 79 CE - 25 August 79 CE
What time did the volcano first erupt?
1pm
What festival had just occurred the day before the eruption?
Vulcanalia
What part of the eruption did the most damage? What was the temperature? Bonus points for extra facts.
The pyroclastic surge. It was 400C and went down the north-west slopes towards Herculaneum at 700km/h
What river was changed as a result of the eruption?
The River Sarno
What vine is/was found around Vesuvius?
The Murgentine vine - a very strong species from Sicily
What did Mt Vesuvius have that made people want to stay there?
The lands around it were very fertile and terrific for growing farms.
Define ‘ides’
15th day of March, May, July, and October AND the 13th day of any other month
How were dates noted in Ancient Rome?
Around the ides (e.g. 6 days before the Ides of February = 6th Feb). They tracked their years by the leaders (who supposedly changed every year).
Name 4 changes that Augustus made to Rome, and his father.
He restored traditional Roman Values e.g. simple living, close family ties, hard work, and Patriotism
He passed laws to encourage early marriage and large families
Helped the poor with free or low cost grain supplies
Sponsored public works such as roads, aqueducts, and public buildings.
His (adoptive) father was Julius Caesar
How long did Augustus rule for?
41 years
What was the relationship between Tiberius and Augustus?
Tiberius was his stepson. He was married to Augustus’s daughter Julia as her 3rd husband. Additionally, he was the son of Augustus’ third wife.
What happened that caused Caligula to go mad? What happened?
He fell ill in the first year of his reign, and began to kill all of the males in his family in order to stop any threats to his position. He only spared his uncle Claudius because he had a limp and a speech impediment.
What did Roman writers used to claim about Caligula?
He was involved in incest with his sisters and would kill people with no warning
How did Caligula die? Who took over?
He was murdered by the praetorian guard. Since Claudius was the only living family member left alive, he took over the position of Emperor.
How did Claudius die?
He was murdered by his wife, the mother of Nero
How did Nero die?
He was exiled and committed suicide
Name the emperors in the Year of the Four Emperors. Include when they reigned and how they died.
Galba: June 68 AD - January 15th 69 AD (murdered in coup by Otho)
Otho: January 15th 69 AD - April 16th 69 AD (committed suicide after losing a major battle against Vitellius)
Vitellius: April 17th 69 AD - December 20th 69 AD (murdered by Vespasian’s troops)
Vespasian: December 21st 69 AD - June 24th 79 AD (died of natural causes).
Titus took over after this, and was in power for two months when the eruption took place. He was the son of Vespasian
What was the most widely used coun?
Sestertius. It was made of bronze
What coins were used for major purchases, and what ones for general shopping, trade, and payment of wages? State what they were made of.
The aurous and denarius coins were used most widely, made of gold and silver respectively.
The as and quadran coins were for everyday use. Both were made of red copper. And yes, the plural of as is asses.
How many temples have currently been found in Pompeii? Name some of the gods worshipped there.
10, including official Roman state deities such as Juno, Jupiter, and Minerva. There were also Apollo, Bacchus, and Venus which were gods with more Greek influence. There was also the Temple of Isis the Egyptian god for some reason.
