Agree that there are places in the world that you want to visit no matter what .. One of these places for me was the ancient city of Pompeii in Italy.
And in today's article I will tell you a lot of interesting things about the city of Pompeii, what is invented and exaggerated and what is shocking in reality, we will walk (video at the end of the article) through the streets, reveal secrets that you could collect for a long time on the Runet , and now you can find out from my article. It will be informative and interesting, pleasant reading and viewing.
Pompeii today photos
Pompeii destroyed a volcano
Perhaps this is the most famous tragedy in the world associated with the volcano, so it's no secret that it was Vesuvius Volcano that caused the death of the city of Pompeii. But only around this story there are a lot of legends and exaggerations, which we will understand along the way ...
Volcanic eruption in the city of Pompeii
In fact, Pompeii is located far from the crater, so I understand the inhabitants of the city who found it difficult to believe that the consequences of a natural disaster could take their lives. Moreover, people did not know such a concept as a volcanic eruption and did not understand the whole danger of such a neighborhood.
What does Pompeii mean in translation
Pompei - this is the Italian word for the city, which was founded in the 6th century BC by the Oski (an ancient Italian people). The city was formed as a result of the unification of five settlements.
Where is Pompeii:
Pompeii location relative to Vesuvius
If you look at the map above, you will see that Vesuvius is located between Pompeii and Napoli (the city of Naples), so the tragedy that took the lives of the city of Pompeii in 79 could have done the same with the inhabitants of Naples. And judging by the historical chronicles, then not only should it, but could, since the direction of the wind played a big role in the fact that the eruption went to Pompeii. Usually the wind blew towards Naples, but on this particular day everything was different.
Pompeii how to get from Naples
Distance between cities is less than 25 km. You can get there in many ways, from a taxi or car rental to the cheapest one - by train. We are not familiar with this train by hearsay, as we rode it from Sorrento to Naples. The route just involves a stop in the city of Pompeii.
Further in the section of attractions of the city of Pompeii, I posted a photo of one of the main streets. These streets are notable for many nuances, ranging from high curbs to strange infantry crossings. In the photo, as you understand, this cannot be depicted, so again I suggest you see and hear everything in the video.
Many tourists, having arrived in Pompeii, rush to see a small house with the strange name Luponarius. This is a brothel of that time. I don't even know how to explain such a rush of tourists in this direction ... Perhaps this is due to the fact that according to one version, Pompeii did not die by accident and the eruption of the volcano was God's punishment for the depraved way of life of its inhabitants, who indulged in love pleasures too much and lost the true values ... After such legends, the tourist is impatient to see what this depravity was because of which the whole city died .. As for me, these are just tricks to lure tourists and exaggerated stories, because, you must agree that at all times and in all cities in the world have such institutions and there are those who regularly visit them, but this does not mean that they need to send curses and natural disasters. The only thing I agree with is that many tourists are simply interested in seeing what brothels were like in antiquity. In order not to torment you with expectations, I tell and show the main thing (the rest is on the video).
Lupanarium photo
The photo below is the image on the wall of the lupanarium. There are many such images (above eye level along the entire perimeter of the corridor inside). These are not just depraved pictures - this is a menu. Well, yes, the menu, because if you come to a restaurant, then you have to choose from what they are ready to offer you, and so, sorry for the frankness, but here everything is the same: you choose how you want to indulge in love pleasures from pictures.
The building of the Lupanarium is small. In the middle there is a corridor with a menu, and on the sides there are rooms with stone beds, on which everything happened. In addition to the fact that the beds are stone, there is another striking feature here - the length of the beds is no more than 170 cm.This is because the height of people at that time rarely exceeded 160 cm.Yes, this is interesting) For me personally, it was the most interesting in our visit to the Luponaria, the rest is more interesting for those who have something to compare this kind of institution with.
Pompeii people in ashes
When you walk around the city, there is no feeling of celebration and fun, because you initially understand that you are walking along the streets along which people who died in agony were running. Thanks to the voids that were discovered during the excavations of the city, it was possible to restore the postures to which people died and even the expressions of their faces, disfigured by horror. Behind bars in one of the main squares, finds, from which goosebumps, are exhibited as museum exhibits. For example, this figure of a boy who curled up in the element of desolation and died here. On the right in the photo you see a bowl, which is now filled with coins, but I didn’t throw it over the lattice fence, because, to be honest, I am jarred by this venture ... I don’t know for what purpose this bowl was installed next to this poor young man, but I don't like the way the tourists adapted it at all. I am for the tradition of throwing coins into fountains, but people, this is not a fountain, this is the face of death and a city in which 2,000 people died ... Why are you throwing coins? Do you want to come back here? Or is it alms dead child? Just for the emotionality, but this is blasphemy .... A show that I support the masses. I did not support him, and you decide for yourself, but just be aware of why you are sticking your hand through the grate and trying to get into this bowl with a coin ...
Pompeii excavation photos
Archaeologists continue their work tirelessly and another quarter of the way to explore the city has not been covered. Maybe we will be surprised by new findings and will open new facets of city life, we will look forward to it.
Pompeii finds
In addition to the figures of people, there are figures of dead animals, as well as dishes and interior items of that time.
After visiting the city of Pompeii, we went to the Villa Mystery, which recently opened after the restoration. It is truly a delight to see one of the richest and most beautiful houses that still have stunning pieces of art and luxurious interiors to this day. I will not describe Villa in the article, but I propose to finish and watch a video that will answer the questions not covered in the article.
I really enjoyed our visit to the city and I am very grateful to our guide, who wished to stay behind the scenes, but who immersed us in wonderful world with interesting story, of which we have become a part.
See you on the pages of the AVIAMANIA website and the AVIAMANIA YouTube channel.
Pompeii videos
Pompeii is a huge city-museum under open air, which in 1997 was included by UNESCO in the list cultural heritage the world. Thousands of tourists flock here every day to touch ancient history, witness the everyday details of a thousand years ago and feel the horror of the city buried under the ashes and lava of a capricious volcano.
Pompeii was founded by the Oscci hill tribes in the 7th century. BC, who erected the city on solidified lava, not knowing either the origin of this "foundation" or the reason for the fertility of the soil.
At that time, Vesuvius was asleep and seemed to be a harmless mountain.
In the IV century BC. became part of the Roman state.
He long time remained in the shadow of the larger settlements of Campania.
History of urban planning Pompey is divided into two periods, as evidenced by the presence of different architecturally parts of the city: old quarters with chaotic buildings, and new quarters built according to a single plan.
The old quarters are a legacy of the Oscan domination, who built houses intuitively. Planned construction began in the 4th century. BC. At this time, there were straight streets with names, rectangular blocks, temples, markets, amphitheaters.
Pompeii was built according to Roman urban planning traditions: in the center, two streets, cardo and decumanus, intersected, forming the central square.
At the beginning of the 5th century, the area of Pompeii was more than 65 hectares.
The pavements were paved with cobblestones, and taking care of the condition of the roads was the responsibility of the townspeople: everyone looked after the area adjacent to the house, removed garbage, and repaired. Roads and mourning had a sloping profile for the water flowing into the city cesspool.
A fountain was installed at almost every intersection. On some streets, there were altars decorated with paintings, stucco moldings and inscriptions.
The facades of the houses overlooked the city streets, on the lower floors of which there were shops and workshops, on the upper floors there were living quarters.
Excellently executed frescoes, mosaics, statues testify to the high level of fine art. The originals have been placed in the Naples Archaeological Museum, but copies have been installed in their place, which create a wonderful impression of former luxury.
Private houses were simple enough. The warm climate made it possible to do without windows, thereby saving on expensive glass. Sometimes narrow cracks were punched in the wall. Houses faced the street with blind ends, instead of numbers they wrote the name of the owner.
Above the residential houses of noble townspeople, a portico was arranged - a wooden canopy on pillars that protected from rain and sun.
The main room of the dwelling was considered to be the atrium, i.e. closed courtyard, in the center of which there was a pool for collecting rainwater. This water was considered sacred. Adjacent to the atrium were rooms for sleeping and working; and there was also a garden and a dining room. The houses of the nobility were distinguished by luxury and wealth, the number of rooms reached 40.
Water was supplied through pipes to the houses and fountains of the city.
Pompeii was a wealthy and highly developed city where trade and crafts flourished.
At the same time, it was a densely populated city, in which the entire stream of people flowed to the business center of the Forum.
The Forum hosted meetings of the city council and held related ceremonies: from elections and oaths to solemn funerals.
In working on the project of the forum, the architects followed an ancient tradition: it should not be small for practical purposes, but it should not seem deserted due to the lack of people.
The oldest building of the Forum is considered to be the Basilica, in which justice was administered, and the rest of the time it hosted commercial and entertainment meetings. Next to the Basilica was a prison, which consisted of cramped, windowless rooms with narrow, iron-bound doors.
In the II century. BC. the central place at the Forum was occupied by the Temple of Jupiter or the Capitol, which was considered the main sacred building. After the final conquest by the Romans, the temple was dedicated to three capitoline deities - Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. A wide staircase with a stone terrace led to its main entrance, from where the priests made ceremonial speeches.
During the Roman Empire, the Arc de Triomphe dedicated to Emperor Tiberius was erected at the Forum, administrative buildings were built, a tabularium - a city archive, buildings for rituals, the Temple of Apollo, the Pantheon - the Temple of Augustus.
A part of the area was occupied by a grocery market - macellum. Nearby were the temples of the city Lares and Vespasian, the Eumachia stock exchange, the Comitium - a platform for citizens' voting.
The Forum closed at sunset. The gatekeeper went around all exits and locked the gates. The main square of the city was empty until morning. After sunset, only prison guards and prisoners were allowed to enter the Forum.
The ancient Romans loved and worshiped the gods of the conquered peoples. They resettled other people's idols to themselves and treated them with great respect, trying to earn their sympathy. Pagan temples were located in the main squares.
The best preserved temple of Isis.
Isis was the idol of wealthy Romans who found her protection in extramarital love. The priestesses of the Temple of Isis also arranged dates between same-sex lovers.
The temple, located in the middle of a quadrangular portico with columns covered with drawings, rises on a high podium with a side staircase. On the sides there are two niches designed for the statues of Anubis and Arpocrates, the son and brother of Isis.
Behind the temple there are small buildings, here the priestesses of Isis gathered and dates were arranged, and there was also a Purgatory with water from the Nile, which was used in the ritual of purification.
There were two theaters in Pompeii, built on the Greek model.
The Bolshoi Theatre was built in 200-150. BC. in the natural depression of the hill. During the time of Augustus, the theater was expanded to accommodate 5,000 spectators. The lower part of the theater, covered with marble and intended for the most important citizens, has been preserved.
IN Pompeii many thermopoly- antique taverns, where hot food and wine with spices were served. The dishes were warmed up with the help of bulky vessels built into the counter up to the very neck, into which hot water was poured.
There were many public baths in the city, and each rich house had its own baths.
But the life of a prosperous city was cut short by the will of fate. The devastating eruption of Vesuvius brought not only human tragedy, but also gave "immortality" to Pompeii.
The harbingers of the volcanic eruption were a strong earthquake that occurred in 62 AD. Almost all buildings in Pompeii were damaged, some were completely destroyed. But the city was quickly rebuilt.
The eruption of Vesuvius began on the afternoon of August 24, 79 AD.
At first, few of the residents paid attention to the cloud of ash and steam that rose above the volcano, because Vesuvius had long been considered asleep.
Soon a black cloud covered the entire sky over the city, ash flakes settled on the roofs of houses, the sidewalk, and trees. The ashes had to be constantly shaken off the clothes.
Under its layer, the bright colors of the city faded, merging into a single gray background. Continuous tremors constantly shook the earth.
The earthquake that began was so strong that carts in the streets began to overturn, and statues fell from houses and tiles fell off.
It was possible to go out into the street only by covering the head with a pillow, since after the ashes, stones began to fall from the sky. The anxiety of the people was growing.
The pillar that rose from the mouth of the volcano reached a height of 20 km.
Many residents tried to hide from the ash in their houses, but there the air was quickly filled with poisonous sulfurous fumes and people died from suffocation.
Under the weight of ash, the roofs of houses collapsed on the inhabitants who had taken refuge in them.
Many died, unable to leave their valuables.
During the excavations, many people were found with sacks filled with gold and other jewelry.
The explosion was extended in time, so most of the residents managed to leave the city.
In the city there were slaves, who were left to specially guard their household property, and citizens who stubbornly refused to leave their homes.
Morning next day met the people remaining in the vicinity with pitch darkness, the air became hot. The eruption of Vesuvius completely destroyed.
The city was hidden under a layer of ash, the thickness of which reached several meters.
For many centuries, in the place where olives used to grow and vineyards were green, dull gray plains of solidified lava stretched out.
The cities buried under the ashes disappeared from the memory of people for almost 1700 years, until by chance, at the end of the 16th century, the architect Fontana, digging a well near Sarno, found the remains of a wall and fragments of frescoes. The first excavations of the city began in the 18th century.
The first of all the cities were excavated.
Directions:
Take the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to the Pompei Scavi stop.
Opening hours:
From November 1 to March 31: all days from 8.30 to 17.00 (ticket office until 15.30)
From April 1 to October 31: all days from 8.30 to 19.30 (ticket office until 18.00)
Closed: January 1, May 1, December 25.
The official archaeological site of Pompeii is www.pompeiisites.org.
Tourists visiting Southern Italy and its pearl, the city of Naples, have the opportunity to enjoy wonderful views, including the majestic mountain located just a few kilometers from the city limits.
The mountain, only 1281 meters high, does not look intimidating, especially if you do not know its name - Vesuvius. It is the only active volcano in continental Europe and one of the most dangerous volcanoes known to mankind.
To those who appearance Vesuvius will not seem intimidating; locals will advise you to go to the coast of the Gulf of Naples east of Naples. There are three ancient cities- Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae, in which life ended on the same day on August 24, 79, when the volcano spoke in full force.
In the 1st century AD, serious and systematic observations of volcanoes, including Vesuvius, were not carried out. And they would hardly have helped - Vesuvius has not shown activity since the Bronze Age and was considered extinct for a long time.
In 74 BC Spartacus and the gladiators who joined him at the very beginning of their uprising hid from their pursuers precisely on Vesuvius, covered with lush vegetation.
Local residents did not feel any threat from the neighborhood of the volcano.
"Ancient Roman Ruble" was founded by Hercules
The largest of the ancient cities adjacent to Vesuvius was the city of Pompeii, founded in the 6th century BC. In the city, which after the capture by the Roman dictator Sulla in 89 BC was considered a colony of Rome, according to modern estimates, about 20 thousand people lived. It was an important point on the trade route between Rome and southern Italy, and such a favorable location was one of the reasons for its flourishing.
In addition, Pompeii can be called something in between an antique resort and “ancient Roman ruble” - many noble citizens of Rome had their villas here.
The nearby Herculaneum, like Pompeii, was founded in the 6th century BC. Its foundation was attributed Hercules, who performed one of the feats in these places and "marked" this event by founding not even one, but two cities (the second was just Pompeii).
The city, located directly on the seashore, has been used as a port for a long time and has developed successfully. However, by the year 79 best time for Herculaneum it was already in the past - the city was badly damaged by a powerful earthquake that occurred in 62, and by the time of the new disaster, no more than 4,000 people lived in it.
Stabia was considered a city by 79 only conditionally. Once big enough locality was virtually completely destroyed during the "visit of Sulla" in 89 BC, as a result of which Pompeii lost its independence.
The city was not rebuilt, but it was chosen for their villas by representatives of the Roman aristocracy from among those who did not make their way to the "Rublyovka" in Pompeii.
End of the world after lunch
Less than 20 years before the eruption of Vesuvius, a large-scale earthquake occurred in this area. A number of villages near Herculaneum and Pompeii were completely destroyed, in the cities themselves there was very serious destruction.
Human memory, however, can quickly erase unpleasant memories. For 17 years, much of the destroyed was rebuilt. This is especially true of the city of Pompeii, which has become even better than before. The sights of the city were the Temple of Jupiter, a forum and an amphitheater that could accommodate almost the entire population of Pompeii.
Life in Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabia went on as usual until August 24, 79. Moreover, on this day, people flocked to the Pompeian amphitheater, who wanted to watch the gladiator fights.
The eruption began in the afternoon of August 24 and came as a complete surprise to residents of nearby towns and villages. Vesuvius threw a huge cloud of incandescent ash into the sky. Thermal energy released by the volcano during the eruption, at times exceeded the energy released during the bombing of Hiroshima. The cloud of stones, ash and smoke reached a height of 33 kilometers. Western part volcano exploded and fell into an expanded crater.
Despite all the horror of what was happening, the catastrophe for the inhabitants of the cities was not at all lightning fast. The fallout of ash, although it made breathing difficult and made it difficult to move around the city, was still not a fatal phenomenon. Everyone who could assess the impending threat began to rapidly leave the cities in danger. But not everyone could objectively assess the degree of danger.
Save yourself who wants
Famous ancient Roman writer Pliny the Elder, who held in 79 the post of commander of the galley fleet in Misena on the shores of the Gulf of Naples, with the beginning of the eruption, attracted by its grandeur, went to Stabia in order to observe the rampage of the elements and help the victims. Arriving in Stabia a few hours later, he could not leave because of the beginning of low tide. Calming the terrified inhabitants and waiting for the conditions at sea to change, Pliny the Elder died suddenly. According to one of the versions, sulfurous fumes became the cause of his death.
From the letters of his nephew Pliny the Younger it is known that the catastrophe developed over a long period of time. Pliny the Elder, for example, died on the night of August 26, that is, more than a day after the eruption began.
According to researchers, the fatal blow to Pompeii and Herculaneum was caused by pyroclastic flows - a mixture of high-temperature (up to 800 degrees Celsius) volcanic gases, ash and stones, capable of speeds up to 700 kilometers per hour. It was the pyroclastic flows that caused the death of most of the people who remained in Herculaneum.
However, these streams hit the cities no earlier than 18-20 hours after the start of the disaster. All this time, the inhabitants of the city had the opportunity to avoid death, which, obviously, the majority took advantage of.
It is very difficult to establish the exact number of victims of the disaster, because the numbers are called different order... But, according to modern estimates, most likely out of 20 thousand inhabitants of the city of Pompeii, about two thousand died. In Stabiae and Herculaneum, the death toll was lower due to the fact that they themselves were much smaller than the Pompeii.
Pliny the Younger did not witness what was happening in Pompeii and Herculaneum, but he left evidence of panic in Misena, which survived the disaster: than her own) pressed on us in a dense mass, pushing forward, when we left ... We froze in the middle of the most dangerous and terrifying scene. The chariots, which we dared to take out, shook so violently back and forth, although they stood on the ground, that we could not hold them even by placing large stones under the wheels. The sea seemed to roll back and was pulled away from the shores by the convulsive movements of the Earth; definitely the land has expanded significantly, and some sea animals were on the sand ... Finally, the terrible darkness began to dissipate little by little, like a cloud of smoke; daylight reappeared, and even the sun came out, although its light was gloomy, as happens before an approaching eclipse. Every object that appeared before our eyes (which were extremely weak) seemed to have changed, covered with a thick layer of ash, as if snow. "
Preserved history
The first blow was followed by a second wave of pyroclastic flows, which completed the job. Pompeii and Stabiae were under a layer of ash and pumice 8 meters deep, in Herculaneum the layer of ash, stones and mud was about 20 meters.
Who died in Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae?
Among the victims of the eruption were many slaves, whom the owners left to guard the property. The elderly and sick people died, who could not leave the city because of their condition. There were also those who decided that they would be able to wait out the disaster in their own home.
Some of the victims of the eruption, having already left the city, remained dangerously close to it. They died from poisoning with gases released during the rampage of Vesuvius.
Huge masses of ash and pyroclastic flows "mothballed" the cities and those who remained in them, in the state in which they were at the moment of death.
The surviving residents did not try to excavate at the site of the tragedy, they simply moved to a new place.
The lost cities were remembered only in the 18th century, when, after the new eruption of Vesuvius, workers in this area stumbled upon ancient Roman coins. For a while, the area became a gold prospector's paradise. They were later replaced by rarity hunters in the form of statues and other historical relics.
A full excavation of the city of Pompeii began Italian archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli... It was he who discovered that in the place of the bodies of people and animals buried under a layer of volcanic ash, voids were formed. Filling these voids with plaster, it was possible to reconstruct the death postures of the victims of the eruption.
With Giuseppe Fiorelli, the systematic work of scientists in Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae began, which continues to this day.
As for Vesuvius, 2014 marks 70 years since its last major eruption. However, scientists are convinced that the longer he is silent, the more powerful his next blow will be.
On August 24, 79, Vesuvius erupted. It was so powerful that it completely destroyed three cities. Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae simply disappeared from the face of the Earth. Many residents died in severe torment, and their homes were buried under a multi-meter layer of stones and volcanic ash.
It is believed that the story of the death of Pompeii is well known. Archaeological excavations are constantly being conducted there. Eyewitness accounts have also been preserved. The same Pliny described everything in great detail. Nevertheless, much of this tragedy remains incomprehensible, and new facts constantly emerge:
The inhabitants of Pompeii knew that there could be an eruption
The harbinger of the tragedy was the strongest earthquake that happened in 62. At that time, there were practically no intact buildings left in the city, some were completely destroyed. And the day before the eruption of 79, there was a series of tremors at once. Of course, the inhabitants of Pompeii did not understand that this was due to the volcano. But they believed: the earth is shaking because of the heavy tread of the giants, who warn that people are in danger of death.
Shortly before the eruption, the water temperature in the Gulf of Naples rose sharply, and in some places reached the boiling point. All streams and wells on the slopes of Vesuvius dried up. From the depths of the mountain, eerie sounds began to be heard, reminiscent of a drawn-out moan. Here is interesting, which in last years is heard all over the planet, also portends the death of thousands of people?
Most of the residents managed to leave the city.
On the streets of Pompeii, about a tenth of the population died - about 2 thousand people. The rest may have escaped. This means that the disaster did not take people by surprise. This is clear from Pliny's letters. True, the remains of the dead were also found outside the city, so no one knows the exact number of those killed. According to some reports, the total number of victims of the eruption in Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabia is 16 thousand people.
People fled to the harbor, hoping to leave the dangerous territory by sea. During excavations on the coast, many remains were found. Apparently, the ships could not or did not have time to receive everyone. And those who stayed hoped to sit out in remote cellars or closed rooms. Then, however, they tried to get out, but it was too late.
How Pompeii actually died
Someone believes that people were burned alive in streams of hot lava, and the city was engulfed in flames. In fact, it was not like that. Vesuvius then practically did not spew lava. And if there were fires where, it was only by accident. This is known from Pliny's letters.
First, a gray-black column of smoke and ash rose from the crater. Then the volcano began throwing out larger debris. The incandescent cloud reached 33 kilometers in height. The energy of Vesuvius was many times greater than that released during atomic explosion over Hiroshima. People rushed about the streets in panic, but they were quickly exhausted, fell and in despair covered their heads with their hands.
Destructive hydrothermal pyroclastic flows poured into the city. Their temperature reached 700 ° C. They carried fear and death. Hot water mixed with the ash, and the resulting mass clung to everything that came in its way. The rockfall began. All this lasted 18-20 hours. The volcano spewed out a huge amount of stones and slag.
It was difficult to breathe, a heavy black shroud hung in the air. People fought for their lives, tried to escape from inevitable death, to find safe areas. Then they fell exhausted, and they were quickly covered with ash. They choked and died in cruel agony. Distorted faces, open mouths in a silent scream, convulsively clenched hands, clenched fingers ... This is how most of the townspeople perished.
As a result, the city was buried under volcanic rocks. The bottom layer consists of stones and small pieces of plasma. Its thickness is on average 7 meters. Then comes a two-meter layer of ash. In total, it turns out to be about 9 meters, but in some places the thickness of the rubble was much greater.
In the creepy photos - not corpses, but just plaster casts
Most of the inhabitants of Pompeii are buried in the upper layers of volcanic ash. They have lain there for almost 2 thousand years, but, at first glance, they are well preserved. In the photographs, which are full on the Internet, one can see not only the position of the bodies at the time of death, but even the expression of horror and agony on the faces of the unfortunate.
But in fact, these are only casts that archaeologists make. The first such idea came to a certain Giuseppe Fiorelli, who led the excavation. Back in 1870, he discovered that voids had formed at the places where people died. After all, the ash mixed with water, which poured into the city during the eruption, tightly covered the dead. The mass dried and hardened, retaining accurate body prints, folds of clothing, facial features and even the smallest wrinkles.
By filling them with plaster, the scientist obtained accurate and very realistic casts. So he managed to reproduce the poses of people, to get their death masks. But the bodies themselves have long since turned to dust. And still creepy ... This is not for you, which more look like ordinary fakes. Everything is real here.
The death of Pompeii - punishment for moral degradation
So, at least, some historians and philosophers thought. Indeed, when archaeologists excavated the city, they found many unambiguous frescoes. And there were more lupanarias (in other words, brothels) and separate rooms for dating prostitutes than, for example, bakeries. No wonder the inhabitants of Pompeii were considered the most dissolute in the Roman Empire.
Vesuvius is still dangerous, the tragedy may repeat itself
After 79, there were several more eruptions. And every time it was a terrible tragedy. So, in 1631, about 4 thousand people became victims of the volcano. In 1805, an eruption killed about 26 thousand people and destroyed most of Naples. In 1944, 27 people died and lava flows destroyed the cities of Massa and San Sebastiano. You can read more about the volcano, and about the death of Pompeii -. By the way, there are documentaries:
And the mountain, which has brought so many troubles and suffering, has pulled on its blue hat - Vesuvius is peacefully dozing.
Famous, notorious, this ancient Roman city became only after the tragic death under volcanic ash and lava. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius began on the afternoon of August 24, 79 AD. and lasted until August 26 (the date of the eruption is still disputed).
Why is the city called POMPEI (Latin Pompeii, Italian and Neap. Pompei)? According to one version, the name comes from the Greek "pompe" (triumphal procession). According to legend, Hercules, having defeated the giant Geryon, solemnly ("with pomp") marched through the city.
The history of the existence of the city of Pompeii is poorly known. It is known that the growth of Pompeii began in the 4th century BC. The city developed according to the plan of rectangular urban planning, houses were built of limestone. From the end of the 1st BC. and before his death in 79 AD. Pompeii reached its highest peak. All the main types of structures typical of a Roman city were erected here. Pompeii entered a period of rapid economic growth, mainly thanks to the production and sale of wine and oil. The consequence of this prosperity was a noticeable increase in the construction of both public and private buildings.
It is known that in 62 Pompeii was seriously damaged by an earthquake, most of the buildings were repaired, but many remained damaged for another 17 years - until the eruption of Vesuvius.
The eruption of Vesuvius led to the death of three cities - Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabia, and several small villages and villas (this and the next picture is from the Internet).
K. Bryullov. The last day of Pompeii
The ruins of Pompeii were accidentally discovered at the end of the 16th century, but systematic excavations did not begin until 1748. Of the 20,000 inhabitants of Pompeii, about 2,000 people died in buildings and on the streets. Most of the residents left the city before the disaster, but the remains of the victims were found outside the city. Therefore, the exact death toll was impossible to determine.
The main feature of Pompeii is the streets, squares, residential and public buildings, elite districts and slums of the city, perfectly preserved under a multi-meter layer of ash.
Even before the entrance to the main gate leading to Pompeii (there were seven gates in total) - destroyed and surviving buildings
The path from the ticket office to the city wall
City wall
The main entrance to Pompeii is the Sea Gate. One arch was intended for beasts of burden,
... the second is for pedestrians
The Forum is the central part of the ancient Roman city. Ceremonies were held here, there was a brisk trade, the city leadership met.
The Pompeii Forum (Foro di Pompei) is the center of the city's political, economic and religious life. It was a large rectangular area 38 by 157 m in size, surrounded in the Samnite era by a portico with Doric columns, and by the Romans paved with travertine.
BASILICA
The basilica in ancient Rome was the name of the meeting building judiciary... The most important events took place here.
The Basilica of Pompeii is relatively well preserved - a portico with columns and the remains of 28 Corinthian columns of a large central hall.
The basilica was built in 120-78 BC. NS. Initially, it served as a covered market, with the beginning of our era it becomes a courthouse. At the same time, in the depths of the basilica, a two-story "tribunal" was built, part of which has survived to this day.
Municipality
Municipality - a complex of three buildings in the southern part of the Forum, served as a meeting place officials and the city council.
Once upon a time, these buildings were decorated with statues of noble citizens and emperors.
TEMPLE OF JUPITER (Tempio di Giove, Civic Forum)
The main temple of Pompeii. Built in 150 BC NS. It is known that before the destruction the temple was decorated with a colonnade, triumphal arches, statues of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, and the city treasury was kept in the basement.
Western Arch of the Temple
Market Square / Macellum
Macellum is an indoor food market, an area of 37 m by 27 m, in the center of which there was a rotunda with 12 columns supporting a conical roof, under which there was a pool for live fish. Small shops were located around the square. In the depths of the macellum there are three relatively large halls, in the central one there were statues of Augustus's sister Octavia and her son Mark Claudius Marcellus, fish and meat were traded on the sides.
The structure was also damaged during the earthquake of 62. Until 79, when the city was finally destroyed, it was not completely restored
Eumachia building
The building, or rather, the complex, is located near the market square
Built by the priestess Eumachia in the era of Tiberius (14-37 AD) for the corporation of Fulons, weavers and dyers, who formed the basis of the economy of Pompeii. The size of the building was not inferior to the basilica, there were warehouses and a trade in fabrics.
Civil Forum
The so-called "Arch of Nero". In fact, it was not possible to establish the exact identity of this Arc de Triomphe. It is believed to have been dedicated to Germanicus.
Through the arch you can see the continuing via del Foro, another Arc de Triomphe and the traditional Vesuvius.
TEMPLE OF APOLLO
The temple of Apollo, the oldest temple of Pompeii, attracts the greatest attention of visitors. Some architectural details allow it to be dated to 575-550 BC. NS. Presumably in the 2nd century BC. NS. it was rebuilt, nevertheless retained characteristic feature Greek architecture: colonnade around the perimeter of the temple.
The temple faces the main entrance to the basilica, surrounded by a portico painted with scenes from the Iliad. The temple itself is surrounded by 28 Corinthian columns, 2 of them are completely preserved. The floor is made in the same technique as the floor of the Temple of Jupiter.
In front of the stairs is an altar
"Apollo the Archer", throws arrows at Diana. This is a copy of a bronze statue, the original is in Naples.
Copy of the statue "Diana" (goddess of flora and fauna, femininity and fertility)
TEMPLE OF ISIS
Temple of the end of the 2nd century BC e., surrounded by a portico, with Corinthian columns, stands on a high plinth. It was rebuilt after an earthquake of 62 years
BODIES OF PLASTER
In the places where the deaths found the inhabitants (and animals) of Pompeii, there were voids, which, when filled with plaster, made it possible to see the inhabitants of the city with their own eyes, even restoring the expression on their faces.
In a number of rooms of destroyed houses there are transparent sarcophagi with plaster bodies.
Other plaster bodies are located in the same way where their owners were found.
Near the central entrance there is a room with various archaeological finds. In the center is a famous boy
ART
Admires the surprisingly high level of fine art in Pompeii (frescoes, mosaics, statues), correlated with the high level of scientific achievements of the Renaissance
Amphitheater
There were three theaters in Pompeii - the small theater "Odeon", which was designed for 1,500 people, the Bolshoi Theater for 5,000 seats, and the world's oldest amphitheater, which could accommodate about 20,000 people.
The Bolshoi Theatre
Some of the buildings in the theater area
HOUSE FAVNA (Casa del Fauno)
The Faun's House - 3000 m², is the most luxurious house in Pompeii. Supposedly built for Publius Sulla, the nephew of the conqueror of the city, which he put at the head of Pompeii.
In front of the house there is an impluvium (a shallow pool for collecting rainwater) with rich geometric inlay of multi-colored marble and a figurine of a dancing Faun, which gave the name to the house.
Triangular Forum / Foro Triangolare
Triangular Forum - square triangular surrounded by a colonnade of 95 Ionic columns.
It was built in the Samnite era. It was dominated by a Doric temple (6th century BC) dedicated to Hercules.
CRAFTS and LIFE
In Pompeii, more than 30 bakeries were found that fully satisfied the needs of the townspeople and export their products to neighboring settlements.
Many devices, incl. millstones made of volcanic rocks. This suggests that the Pompeians used the "results" of previous volcanic eruptions.
One of the most important crafts in the city was the production of woolen fabrics. Found 13 workshops for processing wool, 7 spinning and weaving workshops, 9 dyeing workshops. Felting was the most important production step.
This stove was discovered in one of the houses, in connection with which the house was named "House of the stove-maker" (Сasa del fumista / House of the stove-maker). Another residential building is called the "House of the Surgeon" - in it were found numerous surgical instruments, which can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Naples. (A number of other names have also been given for specific signs or symbols: House of the Tragic Poet, House of the Gilded Cupids, House of the Moralist, etc.)
Water pipes. "Crafted by the slaves of Rome"?
Marble was widely used in wealthy homes
The ornament for safekeeping is under glass. On the right is the floor mosaic.
STREETS OF POMPEIA
Columns were widely used in the building of the city, which can be seen everywhere.
Sparrows were seen in this open space
Signs with the names of streets and house numbers have been preserved
The stones in the foreground - a pedestrian "zebra": they crossed the street when slush and manure ran down the pavement
To recreate objects, contemporaries use metal parts and structures. The inscription on the door - "Pompeii is alive"
Did couples walk hand in hand in those days? In any case, the topic of sex was very hot in Pompeii.
ABOUT IT, or LUPANARIY
The brothel (discovered in 1862) was called the lupanarium, because ladies of easy virtue were called loops (from Latin - "she-wolf"). It is believed that these establishments were visited by sailors.
The building is relatively recently (2006) re-rendered in a "watchable" form. Scientists estimate that there were 25 more rooms in the city where sexual services were provided, usually located above the wine shops.
The stone bed was covered with mattresses
Image on a cobbled street. IN ancient Rome phallus - a symbol of masculine strength; images of a phallus made of bronze or stone served as adornments for women; gigantic images of him were erected in temples. In Pompeii, the image of the phallus served as signposts, showing the way to the Lupanarium
Excavations in Pompeii continue
Police station
A table in a cafe
A whole town has grown up around Pompeii - a railway station, hotels, administrative buildings, cafes, a souvenir market, shops - there is everything for tourists. People come here from many countries of the world to see and imagine how creatively diverse were the streets and houses of the ancient Italian city, which today has become a city-monument, a city-legend.
In the immediate vicinity of Vesuvius and the city that has disappeared into oblivion, but clearly and alive in memory, there are many settlements, public buildings, rich villas. I asked the taxi driver Eduardo, who drove us to Pompeii, is it not scary to live in such a neighborhood. "Ah, Russia, Moscow! We are used to it," he replied, mistaking us for Russians (and we did not object). On the way back, he already knew where we came from - fellow taxi drivers advised by calculating on the ship. “Aren't you afraid to live in Israel? - there are terrorist attacks every day, and the volcano wakes up once every hundreds of years. There is nothing to be afraid of - there is only one life,” Eduardo said philosophically.
Sleeping Vesuvius. Naples is 25 km away.
From the crater of the volcano to Pompeii 9.5 km., From the base of the volcano - 4.5 km.
Around the volcano is located National park Vesuvius. The park was founded in 1995 and covers an area of about 135 square kilometers.
Poppies bloom here
This entry was originally posted at
