{"id":12415,"date":"2024-01-06T16:20:28","date_gmt":"2024-01-06T15:20:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monumentsandsights.com\/?p=12415"},"modified":"2024-01-06T16:20:28","modified_gmt":"2024-01-06T15:20:28","slug":"what-is-pompeii-called-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monumentsandsights.com\/what-is-pompeii-called-today\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Pompeii Called Today"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Pompeii is a ruined and partially buried Roman city near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania. In 79 A.D., Pompeii was destroyed during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and the same eruption entombed priests, nobles, businessmen and other townspeople under an extraordinary amount of lava, ash and pumice until they were rediscovered by archaeologists. Today, the ancient city is called Pompeii.<\/p>\n

During its turbulent history, the city of Pompeii has only been known by its modern name for roughly the last two centuries. Records going back to the 14th century document that a village named “pompeii” already existed in the area, making it one of the oldest known settlements in the region. Before Pompeii was a city, it is believed to have been an Etruscan settlement, a precursor to the Roman Empire’s attempt at Urbanization. <\/p>\n

By the 6th century BCE, the first signs of the city of Pompeii had begun to appear. The city was founded around 600 BCE and was connected to the ancient Mediterranean trade routes. By the end of the 4th century BCE, its walls had become a symbol of power and strength, and the city had become a cultural center. It was a prosperous and bustling city, filled with beautiful temples, colorful markets, rich homes and impressive monuments.<\/p>\n

In 79 AD, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried more than 13 square miles of ancient Pompeii in volcanic ash, pumice and lava. The eruption killed many of its citizens, buried the city and preserved it in time. Archaeologists began digging up the remains of the city in the late 18th century. Today, those remains form some of the most compelling archaeological sites in the world, where tourists are invited to experience the past.<\/p>\n