POMPEII		Quality of Remains
		Ease of Access
		Atmosphere & Setting

History & Occupation:

Pompeii was founded in the 6th Century BC by the Oscan tribe, soon becoming allied with the Greek cities in the bay of Naples. In the 5th Century it was conquered by the Samnites, who were the major influence until 80 BC when the city was taken by Rome during the Social Wars and made a colony. The city gradually grew in stature and significance during the Roman Republic and early Empire, relying on trade. In fact it was a thriving community with all the public amenities one would associate with a Roman city, which even attracted tourists from the Eternal city itself. Until 62 AD. The earthquake of 62 devastated the area and caused major damage to Pompeii. In fact, 17 years later when the city died at the hands of Mount Vesuvius and was preserved as a snapshot of early Imperial life, repairs were still being carried out on earthquake damage. The eruption in 79 AD took the inhabitants of Pompeii by surprise. The population were used to earthquakes and had no notion of what a volcano was (believing the active Mount Etna to be the home of Vulcan, the God of fire. Many inhabitants stayed in their houses, protecting them from the shaking earth and later from the falling pumice and ash. In actual fact, they died because of their safety conscious attitude as the buildings they hid in were gradually buried until the weight of stone and ash collapsed the rooves and filled the houses. Pompeii did not come to light until 1748.

Remains and Visit:

A walk around Pompeii takes an entire day. It is the most perfectly preserved Roman city in the world and, while it may not have quite the atmosphere that nearby Herculaneum enjoys, you will never get a better picture of what life was like in 79 AD. It is a snapshot, frozen in time. Repair work was still being carried out on earthquake damage. Plaster casts of the bodies buried in the city are around and these can be a very shocking and eerie sight. The city is far too vast and complex to label individual sights, but not to be missed are the Stabian Baths, Amphitheatre, Brothel, two Theatres and the Villa of the Mysteries. In fact, do not go for less than a day as to miss any part of Pompeii is a crime to a true Roman fan.

Images:

An exterior view of the city	The suburban baths	Via Stabiana	Via della Scuole	Via della Fortuna
Forum	Forum, Arch of Nero & Vesuvius	Forum	Basilica	Temple of Jupiter
Temple of Vespasian	Temple of Isis	Amphitheatre	Amphitheatre	Theatre
Odeon seating	Odeon floor	Gladiator barracks	Stabian baths	Forum baths tepidarium
Labrum in Forum baths	Taberna	House of Meleagrus	Thermopolium (Bar)	Victim of Vesuvius
Painting in the Macellum	House of the fawn	House of the Geometric mosaics	House of D Octavius Quartus	Necropolis
Via del Sepolcri	Aerial view (c/o Google Earth)