Why Is Pompeii Important

11337 Words46 Pages
Cities of Vesuvius: Pompeii and Herculaneum Introduction * In AD 79 the long dormant volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted, completely burying the flourishing provincial Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum beneath metres of ash, stone and boiling mud. * The story of their chance discovery and excavation more than 1500 years later is a fascinating one. It reveals in astonishing detail life in the towns at the time of the eruption, as well as providing glimpses of other cultures that have occupied the site. * The discovery and excavation of Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as current issues relating to the conservation and reconstruction of buildings and the treatment of human remains, reflecting the developments and concerns of archaeology over at…show more content…
Privileged citizens wore the toga, others wore a loosely belted tunic similar to that worn by slaves. * There was some mobility between the classes. Slaves could be freed and become freedmen but not citizens; however, the sons of freedmen could become citizens. Freeborn men * Within the broad social class of freeborn were the senatorial elite, members of the Roman patrician class who had estates or villas in Campania; the local elite, wealthy landowners and businessmen who dominated local government, and ordinary citizens such as small scale farmers, shopkeepers and artisans. * Over time, Roman patricians and members of the imperial family had been attracted to Campania. They had large agricultural estates, luxury villas around the Bay of Naples and beautiful houses in Pompeii and Herculaneum. * The Villa of the Papyri in Herculaneum was owned by the father-in-law of Julius Ceaser. The Villa of Oplontis was owned my Poppaea, mistress and later wife of the emperor Nero. * The Proconsul Marcus Nonius Balbus was a wealthy Roman who built the Suburban Baths in Herculaneum. An equestrian statue and dedicatory altar were erected in his

More about Why Is Pompeii Important

Open Document