Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
10 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Geographical Context |
Geographical Setting-natural |
|
|
Pompeii and Herculaneum (P+H) were located in fertile region of Campania, near the coast of the Bay of Naples. Pompeiiwas located next to the river Sarno, and was SE of Mt. Vesuvius. Herculaneum was SW of Vesuvius, near modern-day Naples. Both towns were close to the sea; source oftrade/communication. Climate-quite hot (dry summers, mild/wet winter) due tolocation near Mediterranean Sea |
Natural Features |
|
|
River Sarno (east of Pompeii).
Mt. Vesuvius Lattari Mountains (SE of Pompeii). |
Resources |
|
|
Wine, olives, olive oil, grain, fish, wheat and barley. Area around Vesuvius was very fertile due to the volcanic soil; this made it ideal for agriculture.
Bay was abundant with sea life; breeding ground for fish. Fishing was major industry for P+H. Pompeii had network of roads to other towns; trading was big part of commercial activity. |
Plans and Streetscapes Pompeii and Herculaneum |
|
|
|
Area of Pompeii- small by Roman standards, only covering 66 hectares. Were four main areas inthe city: the Forum, the insulae fronting the Via Stabiana, Region VI and theeastern area. Heavy Greek influences on the layout of thestreets; were narrow, straight streets which divided the city into blocks(insulae). Evidence of Roman paving techniques, raisedfootpaths and stepping stones for pedestrians. Roman law said streets had to be5m wide; Pompeii generally conformed, butstreets in Herculaneumwere anywhere from 2.5m-7m wide. |
|
|
Pompeii had heavy traffic, as shown by the deep grooves found in its streets. Herculaneum had less traffic, with some streets being pedestrian-only. An example of this is the main street, which served as the Forum. Pompeii was surrounded by defensive walls, with two main gates: Herculaneum and Marine gates. Via was the name for the highway which led from the Pompeian gate. |
The Via dell’Abondanza was the main street, known as the ‘street of abundance’. Decumani: were streets which ran from east-west; cardines: streets which ran north-south. These streets bisected each other at right angles. The Forum was the heart of the city in both P+H |
|
|
The Nature of Sources and Evidence |
Written Sources |
|
|
Ancient Historians Veryfew written sources available; some include Pliny Elder/Younger, Dio Cassius,Strabo, etc. Most evidence ® archaeological (e.g. human remains,papyrus scrolls, etc). Pliny the Younger: Main source on the eruption of 79AD. Was anancient Roman writer. Wrote an account of the 79AD eruption. Was adopted by hisuncle, Pliny the Elder. Stated his purpose in writing about the eruption was toshow what a hero his uncle was, rather than the effects of the eruption. |
Despite this, Pliny still described aspects of the eruption: “falling hotter and thicker” – ashes falling. “wide sheets of flame from Mt. Vesuvius and high reaching fires were shining out. ”Appearance and shape; described as similar to a ‘pine tree’. |
|
|
Pliny’s account is not 100% reliable; he doesgive a very detailed description of parts of the eruption, but his account waswritten 25 years after the event, and his purpose was to honour his uncle, notdescribe the eruption. Work of Hiraldur Sigurdsson (examiningstratigraphy of P/H, and comparing eruption of Vesuvius to modern dayeruptions, e.g. Mt. St Helens) corroboratedwhat Pliny’s account said; this made Pliny more reliable. |
Seneca: was ancient philosopher/statesmen who recorded valuable information on Pompeii by describing various aspects of the city. Described Pompeii’s location, the earthquake of 62AD and its effects, and that baths. Strabo: Greek geographer. Is useful for the geographical setting/historical background of Pompeii. Cicero (106-43 BC); had houses in and around Pompeii. Suetonius (AD 69-140). Wrote about Pliny the Elder and relief work undertaken by Titus after the eruption. |
|
|
Modern Sources |
modern sources expand our understanding along with archaeological evidence of what we understand of P/H. |
