Pompeii and Herculaneum Flashcards
“The part of the land that has been covered in dust from the hot ashes…makes for a land of fine vines. For it contains the substance that fattens the soil”.
The Geography of Strabo’ Greek Historian
“A fertile region so blessed with pleasant scenery that If that manifestly the work of nature in a happy mood.”
‘Pliny the Elder’ Well known naturalist
Pompeii was accessed by
7 gates
Eg, Stabia, Vesuvius Gate
Decumani
Main axial roads that crossed Pompeii on east-west axis
Eg, Via Marina
Cardini
Minor roads that crossed Pompeii along the north-south axis.
Insulae
Created by decumani and cardini
City block, groups of houses on one block surrounded by a road.
Characteristics of street
- Raised pathways
- Stepping stones
- Public Fountains
- Deep wheel ruts
The grid pattern design of the roads within P & H were designed according to the principles of the Greek architect Hippodamos. This shows the Hellenic influences on the towns.
Plans and streetscapes of Pompeii and Herculaneum
More than 100 taverns, inns and bars have been located in Pompeii
Decumanus Maximus
Herculaneum main street
A lot of shops, residential, workshop and craft had been mixed together.
Wallace Hadrill
Plinian Phase
column of ash 30km high, appear like a pine tree as described by Pliny the Younger; pumice falls on Pompeii.
Pyroclastic phase
Hot avalanche of pumice, ash and gases
Pyroclastic flow
A hot, high-velocity mixture of ash, gas and pumice that flows like a liquid down slopes and over terrain.
Manner of Death
Pyroclastic flow of lava Toxic gases Trapped in buildings Starvation/dehydration/suffocation Covered in lava, burnt Inhalation of ash Heatwaves (Herculaneum) Roof Collapse Hit by falling Rocks Trampled Suicide
Trade
- Vital aspect of society
- P had a thriving economy with full range of commercial activities
- H was not major trading centre.
- Evidence from graffiti suggests that Pompeii had a large population of foreigners involved in trade.
Commerce
- 600 excavated of privately owned shops, workshops, bars, taverns and inns.
Markets around the forum - Epigraphic evidence of guilds of tradesmen and retailers
Industries
Textiles, Cloth, Wine, Oil, Garum, Bakeries, Metalworking & Pottery
Wine
- Jaskemski thinks it’s an important industry. Jongman disagrees.
- Mainly took place in the area outside the city. In Villas (need more room).
- Stayed in big jars (Dolia)
- Inscriptions say it varied in quality.
Oil
- Villa of Pisanella kept enough storage jars for 5910 litres of Oil
- Used in furniture, cooking, cleaning body.
Garum
- Fish Guts & Salt
- Containers have been found all over the town but only one shop has been found.
- According to Curtis, 70% of Garum consumed in Pompeii was named from Scaurus’s shop.
Bakeries
- 30 bakeries in Pompeii, one street found to have 7 in a row.
- Graffiti from Pompeii suggests that it was bought daily.
- In Bakery of Modestus, 81 baked loaves were found.
Metalworking & Pottery
- Pompeiian pottery has been found in Greece, North America, Germany & Pompeii.
- House of Vetti: painting showing cupids involved in the proves of metalworking.
Political Life (Evidence)
- More than 2000 electoral notices found in P
- Amphitheatre at P inscribed with plaque detailing duumviri paid for it with their own money as a gift to their fellow citizens
- Smaller theatre at P commerates its erection by “decree of the decurions”
Political patronage
Powerful people offered both protection and assistance to individuals in return for their political and social support. (For political and social advancement)