Pompeii And Herculaneum Flashcards
Geographical setting
Campania near Bay of Naples
Natural features
- fertile land due to rich volcanic soil
- two main rivers used for fishing and making trades
Resources
Olive oil -> cooking and basic ingredient for perfume
Wine, wool and textile production + fishing industries
Volcanic material used for building and paving roads
Insulae
Dividing of streets and roads into rectangular blocks
Roads of Pompeii
- roads deep wheel grooves caused by constant heavy wagons
- poor drainage = large stepping stones so ppl could walk without getting dirty
Roads of Herculaneum
- smaller quieter town -> streets less marked by traffic
- storm drains + efficient underground sewage
Process of eruption
August 79 AD
- small tremors ppl paid no attention
- morning volcano erupted raining ash in countryside lava flowed onto farms
- some fled some stayed in houses for protection
- died by falling buildings/ poisonous gas/ buried by heavy falling ash
Economy of Pompeii
based on agriculture, land divided into farms most ppl worked in businesses, commercial centre made profit = wealth
Economy in Herculaneum
less understood (less evidence) little discovery about manufacturing, quieter resort town
Economy- trade
- varieties of wine and posted imported from Spain
- export trade was minimal
- remains of 20 warehouses (boats and fishing gear) = aspects of trade
Fullers
processed raw wool, handled spinning, weaving, dyeing and washing
Guild of Fullers = powerful org used camel urine to clean cloths
Evidence of economy
Images of Mercury God of commerce (shop, sales counter)
Bakery of Modestus- 81 loaves of bread recovered still in the oven where they were placed
Graffiti- “Cheers! We drink like wineskins!” heavy drinkers
Dolia/ amphorae
large base or container used for storage or transportation of goods
Garum
Fish sauce
Marcellum + pristina
market + bakery
Tabernae
Shops - 200 public eating and drinking places identified in Pompeii
Thermopolium
Snack bar
Cauponae
taverns
Influences on social structure
There was no middle class but strict hierarchy Factors: place of birth, citizenship status, wealth and city
Roman social structure
Upper strata: power and privilege
Lower strata: great diversity, life was hard
Clothing- distinguished social classes privileged wore togas others wore loosely belted tunics
Slaves could become freed citizens
Freedmen (liberti)
- freedom could be granted by owner/ purchase
- formed a significant amount of the pop many ran workshops, small businesses often with salves they had purchased
Women
- more freedom allowed to engage in public life
- role = look after husband, children and control finance
- not allowed to vote
- working women: servants, cleaners, prostitutes
Eumachia- business women, large building in forum political leverage for her son
Slaves
- made up 25% of pop at the time
- educated slaves = tutored owners children
- could be bought and sold as recorded on wax tablets/ passed on as inheritance
Municipal
Self-governing comprised of Roman citizens (P and H)
Tabularium
place where gov business was recorded
Basilica
Law courts, Office of Magistrates all around Forum
Comitium
Peoples assembly (electoral assembly)
Patronus
Town patron- represents citizens of the town in dealings with the gov of Rome
Evidence of local political life
200 pieces of graffiti- electoral notices for candidates
- employed slaves to whisper their names “To hell with the Aediles!”
Leisure activities
Gambling
Show/ entertainment at amphitheatre
Public baths
Brothels
Theatre
- better ppl sat at the front generally men
- 5000 could be seated
- wealthy acted as “patron” and paid for the play