Pompeii origins and development Flashcards
Why was Pompeii’s close proximity to Vesuvius an advantage to the city?
Abundance of fertile volcanic soil on which to grow crops.
Slopes covered in vines, olive trees and spelt grain (crops) that could be used in trade.
What was the advantage of a lava spur?
Elevated position that is easier to defend.
What was the advantage of the climate?
The soil was perfect for growing produce, and sheep breeding flourished. This provided wool for trade. The woods in the surrounding area was good for timber used in building and fuel.
What was the advantage of the North-South trade route?
Made export considerably easier. Pompeii became a main sea port for trading.
What was the advantage of the River Sarno?
Provided a plentiful supply of water that aqueducts ensured was carried to the town. It was used to irrigate crops and could help smaller ships travel further inland for trading and transportation.
What was the advantage of the Bay of Naples?
Goods intended for export could be ferried by sea on the trade route as opposed to being transported by road.
What were the popular exports from Pompeii?
Olive oil, wine, woolen cloth and garum (fish sauce).
When did the Samnite rebellion begin?
90BC.
When did the Romans found the colony of Pompeii?
80BC.
What id the translation of the graffiti found in Pompeii that read Profit is happiness and Greetings to Profit?
Lucrum Gaudium and salve lucru.
What happened on the 24th of August AD 79?
Molten ash and pumice were ejected from the crater at 1000kph, 100,000 tonnes of it falling every second. Pompeii was bombarded for 19 hours. The ash climbed 15km into the sky and continued to rise until it was 30km high. The sky darkened and there were earth tremors. Roofs were collapsing from the weight of the ash and the ash cloud was three times the height of Everest.
What happened on the 25th of August AD 79?
The first of six pyroclastic surges occurred. Herculaneum was overran in 3 minutes by the flow and buried under 25m of debris. People died of thermal shock. The sixth surge ran right out over the Bay of Naples.
What were the results of the aftermath of the eruption?
4m of debris lay over Pompeii, and the eruption produced 9 million tonnes of material. The shoreline of Herculaneum extended by several hundred meters.
What was the Fiorelli Process?
Pouring plaster of paris into the cavities left by the decomposed bodies of animals and plants.
What does the Fiorelli Process tell us?
Shows the manner in which people died and even the clothes they wore, and animals still tethered up may indicate panic. The money found beside some bodies may indicate looting.
