Pompeii was an ancient Roman city near modern-day Naples, Italy. Nearly 2,000 years ago, the city was destroyed and buried under 4–6 meters of ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The eruption, which lasted eighteen hours, also caused the death of all people who lived in Pompeii and the nearby towns of Herculaneum, Stabiae and Oplontis.
There is no accurate account on the exact population of Pompeii at the time of the eruption. Most estimates range between 10,000 and 20,000 people, depending on the demographics of the time. The Roman historian Pliny the Elder recorded the total amount of people living in the area and the population of nearby towns such as Herculaneum and Oplontis.
The main source of information on the population of Pompeii before the eruption comes from a cultural census of Pompeii in the 1st century BC. This census, known as the Tabula Heracleensis, recorded the total number of households and adult male citizens living in the city. The census also documented the circumstances of each household and citizen, providing valuable insight into the city’s culture and way of life before the disaster.
Additionally, archeological evidence suggests that the city may have had a larger population than the one recorded in the census. From the artifacts and remains found at the archaeological site in Pompeii, experts estimated that the city had a population of around 12,000 people. This estimate is based on the number of baths and houses found in Pompeii, which was an indicator of population size.
Though it can not be confirmed, Pliny the Elder wrote in “From Rome to Pompeii” that he believed that the total population of the area, including people from Herculaneum, Oplontis, Stabiae and Pompeii, was in the range of 100,000 people. This estimate was based on rumors and Pliny’s own knowledge of the area.
Archaeologists have also uncovered evidence that some of the people living in Pompeii were refugees at the time of the eruption. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius occurred during a civil war in AD 79 between the troops of Vespasian and his brother, Sabinus. It is believed that many people were fleeing to Pompeii from other cities, towns and regions as a result of the war.
Volcanic Ash
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius released a cloud of volcanic ash that buried Pompeii under meters of ash and pumice. This ash, composed of a mix of materials including pulverized rock, water and gases, covered the city in a blanket of ultra-fine dust that was so thick that it preserved the remains of Pompeii almost perfectly.
The ash also contained fragments of human remains, including skulls, bones and teeth. By studying these fragments, experts believe that when the ash cloud descended upon Pompeii, it contained droplets of molten sulfur that melted the flesh from the bones of victims and casts of their bodies were created in the ash.
Scientists have also been able to determine the speed and rate of the volcanic flow from the ash. Tests of the composition of the ash reveal that it contained very fine particles of ash, which suggests that the volcanic flow was fast-moving. This would explain why the victims of Pompeii had almost no chance of escape.
Preserved Artifacts
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius also left many artifacts and objects preserved in the ash and volcanic pumice that was left behind. One such artifact is the elaborate fresco paintings on the walls of the city, which provide a unique glimpse into the lives of the people living in Pompeii before the eruption.
The walls of many of the buildings in Pompeii are decorated with brightly-colored frescoes depicting scenes from mythology, everyday life and entertainment. These paintings were made with pigments that were highly resistant to the heat generated by the eruption, preserving them to this day.
Experts have also been able to use artifacts from Pompeii to form an idea of their culture and lifestyle. For example, coins found in the ash can give us an indication of the city’s economy and trading networks. Shoes, furniture and jewelry are all evidence of the lifestyle of the people living in Pompeii before the eruption.
People of Pompeii
Though the exact population of Pompeii before the eruption can not be determined, evidence from ancient sources and archaeological artifacts can give us an idea of the people of Pompeii. We can see that the people of Pompeii were sophisticated, with a culture and economy to match.
Archaeological evidence also reveals that the city may have been bustling with refugees at the time of the eruption. This perhaps explains why so few people were able to survive the eruption.
From what remains of the city of Pompeii, we can get a glimpse into the lives of the people living there at the time of the eruption. While the exact population of Pompeii may be lost forever, researchers have been able to piece together an incredible amount of information about the city’s culture and way of life.
Pompeii Today
Pompeii was rediscovered in 1748 and has since become one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Italy. Visitors to Pompeii can explore the ruins of the city and learn about the culture and history of the ancient Roman city.
The archaeological site also contains several museums that include artifacts unearthed from the ash, such as frescoes, coins and jewelry. Visitors can also explore the ruins of the city, including the remains of baths, houses and public buildings.
Today, the city of Pompeii is an important destination for researchers and tourists. Visitors to the site can gain a unique insight into the lives of the people of Pompeii before the eruption and learn about the tragedy that befell the city.
Influence of Pompeii
The archaeological site of Pompeii has had a profound influence on the world of art, culture and science. Artists have taken inspiration from the frescoes of the city and have included them in their work. Scientists have studied the remains of the city to learn about the events of its destruction and its effects on the people living there.
Pompeii has also shaped our understanding of volcanology. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius was an incredible tragedy for its victims, but it also provided an invaluable opportunity for the study of geology. Through the study of the remains of Pompeii, scientists have been able to gain a better understanding of volcanic activity and eruption dynamics.
The site of Pompeii is also important in terms of its cultural heritage. The tragedy that befell the city is a reminder of the power of natural forces and the importance of preparedness for disasters. It is also a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
Psychological Impact on Survivors
The destruction of Pompeii had a profound psychological impact on those that managed to survive the eruption. Many survivors of the catastrophe were haunted by the memories of the suffering and tragedy they witnessed. This was particularly true of those who had lost family members or friends in the eruption.
In the aftermath of the disaster, some survivors turned to religion as a way of coping with their grief. Others turned to therapy, including the use of hypnotherapy, to help them process their trauma.
A number of survivors also experienced guilt for having survived the eruption. The guilt attributed to their survival became so overwhelming that it began to affect their lives, causing some survivors to become reclusive and withdrawn.
Although they survived the disaster, the emotional scars of the tragedy of Pompeii will remain with the survivors forever. The psychological impact of the event is a poignant reminder of the human cost of natural disasters.
