Survey: Geographical Setting and Natural Features of Campania Flashcards
Pre-Eruption Fresco
Archaeological Source
Located: in the House of the Centenary (one of the largest houses in Pompeii)
Discovered: 1879
Depicts:
- Bacchus is pictured standing before the mountain - at the time, Vesuvius was covered in vineyards.
- The serpent is a symbol of the male household.
- Olive wreath, birds, Bacchus = agriculture
Demonstrates the pre-eruption view of Vesuvius as a centre of agriculture and life
Florus
Written Source
Pre-Eruption
“Campania is the fairest of all regions… it flowers twice a year. Nowhere is the soil more fertile… here are the vine-clad mountains… Vesuvius is the fairest of them all”
Florus flowers 2x
Pliny the Elder
Written Source
Pre-Eruption
From this point is famous Campania…then indeed there is that wonderful and life sustaining and health atmosphere that lasts all the year through, embracing a climate so mild, plains so fertile…an abundance of corn, vines and olives, splendid fleeces.”
Pliny the Elder ate food, therefore his source describes food (Mediterranean veggies + sheep)
Strabo
Written Source
Post-Eruption
“Above these places lies Mt Vesuvius, which, save for its summit, has dwellings all round, on farm-lands that are absolutely beautiful. As for the summit, a considerable part of it is flat, but all of it is unfruitful…these masses of rock looking as though they had been eaten out by fire. Perhaps, too, this is the cause of the fruitfulness of the country all-round the mountain.”
Strabo ate plain yoghurt that was eaten out by fire
The Bay of Naples
A large bay with safe anchorages and prosperous trading cities on its coast, including Pompeii and Herculaneum, which are now 100m and 500m inland respectively.
Pompeii
Population, main areas, area, location
A small ancient Roman town built on a low volcanic plateau formed by earlier lava flow from Mt Vesuvius, which ranged from 10-40m above sea level, covering a total of 66ha.
It is the only route connecting the seaside area at the Sarno River and the fertile slopes of Mt Vesuvius.
The town had four main areas, all of which demonstrate Greek influence:
- The Forum
- The Via Stabiana insulae - regular layout of the streets divided the town into insulae, blocks varying from 850-5500 square metres
- Region VI
- The eastern area
2/3 excavated
Population ~20 000
Walls
Features of Pompeii and Herculaneum
Pompeii: High defensive stone walls with 12 towers and 8 gateways
- The wall was a remnant from before Pompeii became a Roman colony
Herculaneum: Sea wall had vaulted chambers for boats
Gates
Features of Pompeii and Herculaneum
Pompeii: City gates at the end of main thoroughfares (e.g. Marine Gate and Herculaneum Gate/Porta Saliniensis)
Streets and Roads
Features of Pompeii and Herculaneum
Pompeii:
- Polygonal blocks of basalt used to make roads and footpaths.
- Kerb was made of basalt of tufa (volcanic ash hardened with water).
- Streets were 2-4m wide, main roads reachign up to 7m.
- Stepping stones allowed people to cross roads without stepping in sewage.
- Cardines - roads travelling in the north-south direction
Decumani - roads travelling in the east-west directs
Herculaneum:
- Streets had less traffic and more efficient drainage/sewage systems.
Mediterranean Marine Environment
The proximity of the Bay of Naples meant that fishing was a major industry, including the production of garum (fermented fish paste). Salt was also an abundant resource.
SOURCE: Frescoes of fish, octopus from the House of the Faun - marine wildlife indicates the strong reliance on the ocean for food and employment.
Fertile Volcanic Soil
Borad plains south-east of Mt Vesuvius were layered with volcanic and alluvial soil, which was rich in phosphorus and ash. Even the rockier mountains coud still be used to support olive groves. The loamy sand allowed for efficient drainage and the pH was ideal.
This all resulted in Campania having a crop yield six times higher than the rest of the peninsula and up to three grain crops per year.
This fertility allowed for the cultivation of:
- Vineyards (grapes, wine)
- Wheat
- Barley
- Vegetables (cabbage)
- Fruit (figs, olives etc.)
- Sheeps and goats (meat, milk, skin, wool)
Campania Region
Campania is a fertile region 200 km south of Rome, near the Phlegraean fields (burning fields) which had regular geothermal activity.
It is on the coast of Naples and included the River Sarno which flowed into the Bay of Naples.
Mediterannean Climate
The Mediterranean climate featured plentiful rainfall and a distinct dry season, allowing for 2-3 annual crop yields.
Campanian navigation and resources were sea-based.
Minimum Temp : ~6°C Jan/Feb
Maximum Temp: ~29°C July/August
With a mild climate, Pompeii was perfect for agriculture and became an economic hub.
Natural Resources
- Soils were rich in phosphorus and ash
- Fish, molluscs, garum, and salt (used as a preservative) from the sea
- Woodland provided building materials (wood) and sand (which was mixed with lime to make cement)
- Local clay was used for containers
- Sheep and goats were raised for meat, milk, skins, and wool
- More resources: Wine, olive oil, wheat, barley, cabbages, fruit
