Italy 2001
Pompeii
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| As can be seen from the map, while Herculaneum was on the periphery of the ash cloud emitted by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, Pompeii was almost dead-center. This resulted in many of the multi-storied homes to collapse under a much thicker and heavier lapili and ash layer. We saw this in our times in Olongopo, P.I., after Mt Pinatubo erupted in 1992. With some rain, the thick layer of ash became so heavy and very much like concrete, that even aircraft hangers on the nearby Naval Air Station Cubi Point collapsed. One thing Pomopeii also suffered was a blast of poisonous gas. This image will link to the history of Pompeii on wikipedia. com |
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At the first sign of the imminent eruption, all but around 2000 of the inhabitants of Pompeii escaped from the city. Those who stayed had no chance of survival. |
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View of the ampitheater, able to seat 12000 people and could be flooded to re-enact naval battles |
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The outside of the ampitheater. Pompeii was founded in the 4th Century and became subject to Roman control 80 BC as Rome expanded south. At the time of its destruction in the 79 AD eruption of Mt Vesuvius, it was a prosperous city of 11000 with a complex water distribution system, the amphitheater, a gymnasium, and a port. Many wealthy Romans had country homes there. |
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Looking down on the Palaestra, a large exercise area next to the arena, the amphitheater |
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A ground level view of the palaestra with the amphitheater in the background |
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Street of Pompeii usually ending at one of the numerous gates of the city |
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One of the city gates. Expect it to be higher and covered, for a tactical advantage and to see incoming traffic at a greater distance |
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Eating out may have been a common practice to judge from restaurants such as this one |
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Being a harbor town, Pompei had to entertain (and fleece) many foreign visitors and sailors, many of who did not speak Latin. The easy way for them to find where they wanted to go were obvious signs. Signs that led to places where advertisement depicted what was on tap, and prices for various entertainments offered, in a slave society, anything was game.. |
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Just follow the arrow, no need to pester the locals with questions, sailor boy |
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One of the buildings in the entertainment area of town. Roman efficiency. |
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The larger of two other theaters |
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Another theater view and the adjoining gladiator barracks |
