Background
The ancient city of Pompeii has been the focus of much research and exploration since its initial archaeological discovery in 1748. Located in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius southeast of Naples, Italy, the city of Pompeii was established over 2,000 years ago as a resort community for wealthy Romans. In AD 79, a massive volcanic eruption covered the city in ash, preserving the buildings and streets almost exactly as they were in that moment in time. Although the city is located in the region of Campania, in the present day Italian province of Naples, many are unaware of the ancient city’s complex history or the fact that it was not originally part of the Italian landscape.
Location
Before its eventual conquest by the Roman Empire in 80 BC, the city of Pompeii was a large port founded by the Ancient Greeks. Known in antiquity as Parthenope, or “Maiden of Poseidon,” the Greeks named the city after the sea god. Located strategically between Rome and the Greek city of Cumae, Parthenope offered an advantageous location for the fledgling maritime commerce in the region and would eventually become one of the most important port cities in the Mediterranean.
Even after centuries of Roman influence, many of the architectural ruins reflect an earlier Greek influence. This influence is partly due to the fact that Greek colonies extended through much of the area. Archaeological observations have revealed temples and shrines that date back even further; these date to an even earlier period, when the Greeks and the Etruscans sought to establish cultural interactions.
Uncovering Pompeii
More than 17 layers of dust, dirt, and volcanic material covered Pompeii for nearly 1,700 years after the volcanic eruption in 79 AD. It was not until 1748, when workers began digging an underground passageway, that the City of Pompeii was rediscovered. During the excavations, 100 barrels of coins were discovered, and many statues were unearthed, some of which are now held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. As excavation progressed, archaeologists uncovered vast amounts of information regarding the city’s history, inhabitants, and lifestyle.
The inhabitants of Pompeii were mainly merchants and traders, and the city flourished as a center of commerce between Rome and the Greeks. Despite its heavily industrialized atmosphere, Pompeii was known for its theatres, temples, markets and villas. Excavations revealed temples dedicated to the Roman gods and a colonnaded street named the Via di Mercurio, which was lined with shops and sumptuous homes.
Impact of the Eruption
The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius was one of the most violent volcanic eruptions ever recorded, and its impact on the city of Pompeii was devastating. The eruption caused a pyroclastic flow of ash and rocks that rolled down the mountain and engulfed the city in a 20-meter-thick layer of ash. As a result of the ash fallout, the city and its inhabitants were immediately buried and forgotten until their rediscovery centuries later.
Most of the inhabitants of Pompeii were killed due to the superheated toxic gases and ash exposure, while those who attempted to flee were buried in the flow. In total, it is estimated that at least 2,000 died. Meanwhile, the 20-meter thick layer of volcanic ash served to preserve many artifacts and structures that have been fundamental in providing insights into the life and culture of the city’s inhabitants.
Preservation and Conservation
Currently, Pompeii remains an important archaeological site, protected by the Italian Government and UNESCO. Researches, scientists and interested individuals are allowed to study the city and its artifacts with the purpose of preserving the city’s long-forgotten history. Unfortunately, the preservation of such an ancient city is a race against time, as air and weather conditions continue to cause damage to its many structures.
Today, the Italian government has undertaken major efforts to protect the ancient city. The Vesuvian Institute in Naples, where most of the archaeological artifacts from Pompeii are housed, has also been a crucial factor in the preservation of Pompeii’s history. The Institute also offers lecture series, guided tours, and special events aimed to educate visitors about the ancient city and its ruins.
Interpreting Pompeii’s Heritage
Pompeii is one of the most important archaeological discoveries of all time, and its history is a unique journey into the past. The city provides an interesting insight into the lives of Romans and Greeks. However, the preservation of such a site is no small undertaking, as it involves coordinating between multiple stakeholders such as the Italian government and UNESCO.
Pompeii is a fascinating and complex example of ancient history that promises to provide a wealth of information and insights in the future. With careful preservation and conservation efforts, the ruins of Pompeii and its artefacts can continue to persist as living reminders of our past and can educate future generations.
Iconography
Archeological records together with surviving literature, both written and visual, demonstrate the importance of iconography in the ancient city of Pompeii. The city’s ruins and artefacts have given us the ability to visualise and interpret the lives of its citizens. From the discovery of the Castellum Aquarum, an ancient water reservoir, to the mural paintings of shipwrecks that found their way into the House of the Faun, the visual remains of Pompeii offer many unique insights.
Visual mediums were used to communicate stories in the ancient world, and the visual legacy of the city is an important one. Historians and archaeologists alike have studied the numerous paintings, reliefs and frescos found at Pompeii in order to gain a better understanding of ancient life. These visuals are essential to understanding the political, economic and social life in the city, and many of the masterpieces that have survived would have normally been lost to the passage of time.
Necropoli
Many of the historical artefacts found at Pompeii have been discovered at the city’s necropolises, or burial grounds. These remain an untouched window into the past, offering a fascinating insight into the spiritual and religious beliefs of the ancient inhabitants. Sacred monuments such as the Temple of Isis, the Temple of Apollo, and the Temple of Fortuna Augusta demonstrate the importance of integrating death and the hereafter into the daily lives of Pompeii’s citizens.
Historians and archaelogists alike are intrigued by the unique funerary monuments, sculptures, and tombs at Pompeii’s necropolises. Medieval scholars such as Petrarch and Bosio were particularly captivated by the areas, and their observations hint at the fact that unknown aera of Ancient Roman and Greek culture still remain to be uncovered.
Archaeological Discoveries
The Ancient City of Pompeii was an intriguing and influential centre of commerce, culture, and life well before its destruction in 79 AD. Thanks to its diverse population, natural resources and strategic position, the city was prosperous up until the eruption of Vesuvius.
Archaeologists and historians are still uncovering important knowledge about the city and its inhabitants; from the discovery of iron-smelting furnaces on the outskirts of the city to evidence of a possible acquisition by the Romans in 80 BC. Ancient documents, wall inscriptions, tablets and letters provide invaluable information regarding how the city was administrated. Combined with architectural elements, inscriptional evidence and pottery sherds, these discoveries demonstrate the unique history of the city and the vitality of its inhabitants.
Greek Influence
Pompeii was originally founded by the Ancient Greeks and provided an important maritime link between Rome and Greece. These ties can still be seen in Pompeii’s architecture and infrastructure. Many of the substantial monuments, such as the Temple of Apollo, are of Greek origin and provide a fascinating insight into past cultural interactions.
The streets and structures of the city reveal that Greek civilisation had a strong presence in the region. The city’s few remaining theatres and temples demonstrate the presence of earlier civilisations and likely date back to the Etruscan-Greek interactions. While inhabitants spoke a particular classical Greek dialect, coins, pottery sherds and ceramics also show evidence of Hellenistic traditions and styles.
Pompeii and Italy Today
It is obvious that Pompeii has had an immense impact on modern Italy. The ruins remain an important tourist destination and dominate the region’s cultural heritage and identity. The city draws huge crowds every year, and its artefacts are exhibited in national and international museums, providing a valuable insight into Italian history.
Public policy initiatives and construction projects related to the city’s ruins have created a new wave of economic activity in the region. Museums and restaurants, youth hostels and souvenir shops all revolve around the city’s ruins. Some of the more prominent archaeological sites, such as the Houses of the Gladiators and the House of the Prince of Naples, have been converted into luxury hotels, allowing visitors to experience the city in a unique and intimate way.
Technology and Innovation
Archaeologists have made use of numerous technological innovations in order to preserve and evaluate the ruins of Pompeii. Virtual and augmented reality technologies have been used to magnify the immersive experience of visitors in the city’s ruins. By combining physical and digital components, visitors can understand how the city would have appeared in its peak. 3D replicas and digital models have also been used to develop greater insights into the city’s past culture.
Near-surface geophysics and Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) have enabled archaeologists and historians to detect and map buried Ancient Palladiums, temples, and other structures and objects with greater accuracy than ever before. Advanced techniques such as seismic refraction, seismic tomography, electrical resistivity and magnetometry have enabled them to study the 3D structures of the city without excavation.
The Future of Pompeii
Pompeii is an irreplaceable resource that continues to provide a wealth of information into the past cultural, economic and political life of the city. As technology and innovation continue to evolve, archaeologists and historians can evaluate and preserve this important cultural heritage with greater accuracy than ever before.
With the continued efforts of the Italian government and UNESCO, the site’s treasures can continue to be explored and can teach us more about our shared past. Versatile tools and technologies can also provide a more immersive experience for those interested in reviving this long-lost past. It is certain that Pompeii remains an important part of the history of Italy and the Mediterranean and will remain a source of intrigue and fascination for generations to come.
