Pompeii and Herculaneum:The physical environment

Question 1

The physical environment of Campania

Answer 1

1. Fertile region
2. Produced a wide variety of natural vegetation (oak, beech, alder, poplar, and 
herbaceous plants) and agricultural produce (Including their famous grapes, as well 
as, olives, peaches apricots, lemons, cherries, plums, pears and figs)
3. Along the coast of the bay of Naples were safe anchorages for trading vessels and 
fishing fleets (fishing was important to the economies of Pompeii and Herculaneum)

Question 2

Geographical Setting

Answer 2

1. Pompeii and Herculaneum (P+H) were located in fertile region of Campania, near the coast of the Bay of Naples.
2. Pompeii was located next to the river Sarno, and was SE of Mt. Vesuvius. Herculaneum was SW of Vesuvius, near modern-­‐day Naples.
3. Both towns were close to the sea; source of trade/communication.
4. Climate → quite hot (dry summers, mild/wet winter) due to location near 
Mediterranean Sea.

Question 3

Natural Features

Answer 3

• River Sarno (east of Pompeii).
• Mt. Vesuvius
• Lattari Mountains (SE of Pompeii).

Question 4

Resources

Answer 4

• Wine, olives, olive oil, grain, fish, wheat and barley.
• Area around Vesuvius was very fertile due to the volcanic soil; this made it ideal for 
agriculture.
• Bay was abundant with sea life; breeding ground for fish. Fishing was major 
industry for P+H.
• Pompeii had network of roads to other towns; trading was big part of commercial 
activity.

Question 5

Plans and streetscapes of Pompei

Answer 5

1. heavy influence of Greek principles of urban planning
2. Greek influence can be seen in the regular layout of the streets and roads which 
divided the towns into insulae
3. Demonstrates Roman skill in road making and Roman paving techniques, 
such as polygonal blocks of basalt and raised footpaths, were applied.
4. Stepping stones were provided for pedestrian use so that Pompeians could cross 
the roads without stepping in sewerage that overflowed in the gutters when it 
rains, while still allowing access of wheeled traffic
5. Deep grooves and impressions in Pompeian roads are evidence of Pompeii’s 
lively economy. Pompeii was surrounded by a series of defensive stone walls. When Pompeii became a Roman colony, defensive walls lost their purpose and some sections were demolished to make way for housing.
6. The magistrates responsible for the maintenance of streets and roads were the aediles.

Question 6

Plans and streetscapes of Herculaneum

Answer 6

1. Followed the classical layout of Greek towns
2. Streets were narrow
3. Less traffic than Pompeii
4. More efficient sewerage systems
5. Had a sea wall, with large vaulted chambers for boats