Pompeii is one of the most well-known ancient cities in the world. However, at the height of its existence, it was just another Roman city. What makes Pompeii so important to us today is how well it was preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Nevertheless, there are still many unanswered questions about the city. Mary Beard defined it as the Pompeii Paradox, or the fact that we “simultaneously know a huge amount and very little about ancient life there.” Although the eruption of Mount Vesuvius preserved Pompeii and facilitated the discovery of many important artifacts, the disordered state of the city means that we may not have an accurate depiction of what life was really like. The earthquake of 62 CE, the relatively slow buildup of the
…show more content…
Therefore, I find the Pompeii Paradox to be an accurate analysis. There is general consensus that Pompeii has given vital insight into the ancient Roman world. The preservation due to the layers of ash and pumice have maintained artifacts that otherwise would have been lost in time. For example, not only have the buildings of Pompeii at the time of the eruption been preserved, but so have the foundation layers of older buildings. In other cities that have survived into modern times, old foundations deteriorate. In Pompeii, however, we can tell the history of settlement, from Etruscan influences to Roman colonization (cite). For example, the Aldstadt theory was debunked due to examination of the foundation of the city walls. The Aldstadt theory argued that Pompeii began in the Doric region and expanded later; however, analysis of the city wall foundations revealed that Pompeii’s outer city walls were about as old as the Doric region (cite). While scholars are still not entirely sure about the origin of Pompeii, new insights have been possible because of the remarkable preservation of the city. Another important discovery was the preserved bodies. The falling ash …show more content…
First, the city may have been in a state of disarray before the eruption due to the large earthquake in 62 CE. There is evidence that many elite vacated the city after the devastating earthquake, opening space for a new elite class of merchants and traders (cite). This means that in its last few years, Pompeii’s social structure changed. For example, after the earthquake, the layout of the Villa of the Mysteries was altered, converting the structure from a fancy country home to a working farm. The previous owners, a noble Samnite family, passed on the villa to a freedman who used to work for them. This example shows how the aristocracy of Pompeii was changing, and how the money was potentially leaving Pompeii in its last few years. This means that we do not have a clear picture of what Pompeii was like when the old aristocracy was in power. Also, many buildings were remodeled or in a semi state of disrepair. The Temple of Isis was one of the only buildings that was completely rebuilt (cite). Other original architecture was updated in the aftermath of the earthquake, or remained in a state of disrepair. For example, large areas of housing were destroyed, and some were not rebuilt but replaced with public facilities. The central thermal baths were one such structure. It is difficult to tell if this was already a planned project or if the earthquake facilitated the construction of the
Therefore, I find the Pompeii Paradox to be an accurate analysis. There is general consensus that Pompeii has given vital insight into the ancient Roman world. The preservation due to the layers of ash and pumice have maintained artifacts that otherwise would have been lost in time. For example, not only have the buildings of Pompeii at the time of the eruption been preserved, but so have the foundation layers of older buildings. In other cities that have survived into modern times, old foundations deteriorate. In Pompeii, however, we can tell the history of settlement, from Etruscan influences to Roman colonization (cite). For example, the Aldstadt theory was debunked due to examination of the foundation of the city walls. The Aldstadt theory argued that Pompeii began in the Doric region and expanded later; however, analysis of the city wall foundations revealed that Pompeii’s outer city walls were about as old as the Doric region (cite). While scholars are still not entirely sure about the origin of Pompeii, new insights have been possible because of the remarkable preservation of the city. Another important discovery was the preserved bodies. The falling ash …show more content…
First, the city may have been in a state of disarray before the eruption due to the large earthquake in 62 CE. There is evidence that many elite vacated the city after the devastating earthquake, opening space for a new elite class of merchants and traders (cite). This means that in its last few years, Pompeii’s social structure changed. For example, after the earthquake, the layout of the Villa of the Mysteries was altered, converting the structure from a fancy country home to a working farm. The previous owners, a noble Samnite family, passed on the villa to a freedman who used to work for them. This example shows how the aristocracy of Pompeii was changing, and how the money was potentially leaving Pompeii in its last few years. This means that we do not have a clear picture of what Pompeii was like when the old aristocracy was in power. Also, many buildings were remodeled or in a semi state of disrepair. The Temple of Isis was one of the only buildings that was completely rebuilt (cite). Other original architecture was updated in the aftermath of the earthquake, or remained in a state of disrepair. For example, large areas of housing were destroyed, and some were not rebuilt but replaced with public facilities. The central thermal baths were one such structure. It is difficult to tell if this was already a planned project or if the earthquake facilitated the construction of the