What remains of the people in the city of Pompeii. The death of Pompeii - little-known facts about the tragedy of the ancient city

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, about what is invented and exaggerated and about what is shocking in reality, we will walk (video at the end of the article) through the streets, we will discover 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, enjoy reading and viewing.

Pompeii today photo

Pompeii destroyed by volcano

Perhaps this is the most famous tragedy in the world associated with a volcano, so it is no secret that it was Volcano Vesuvius that caused the death of the city of Pompeii. But there are a lot of legends and exaggerations around this story, which we will understand along the way...

Volcanic eruption in Pompeii

In fact, Pompeii is located quite far from the crater, so I understand the residents 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 thing as a volcanic eruption and did not understand the danger of such a neighborhood.

What does Pompeii mean?

Pompei is the Italian word for the city, which was founded in the 6th century BC by the Osci (ancient Italian people). The city was formed as a result of the union 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 claimed the lives of the city of Pompeii in 79 could have done the same to the inhabitants of Naples. And judging by the historical chronicles, not only should it, but it could, since the direction of the wind played a big role in the fact that the eruption took place in Pompeii. Usually the wind blew towards Naples, but on this particular day everything was different.

Pompeii how to get from Naples

The distance between cities is less than 25 km. You can get there in many ways, from taxi or car rental to the cheapest - train. We are familiar with this train firsthand, as we traveled on it from Sorrento to Naples. The route just includes 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, from high curbs to strange infantry crossings. As you understand, this cannot be depicted in the photo, so again I invite you to see and hear everything in the video.

Many tourists, having arrived in Pompeii, rush to see a small house with 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 volcanic eruption was God’s punishment for the depraved lifestyle of its inhabitants, who indulged too much in love pleasures and lost their true values...After such legends, tourists can’t wait to see what this depravity was about that caused his death the whole city.. As for me, these are just tricks to lure tourists and exaggerated stories, because, you see, at all times and in all cities of the world there are such establishments and there are those who regularly visit them, but this does not mean that curses and natural disasters must be sent to them. The only thing I agree with is that many tourists are simply interested in seeing what brothels were like in ancient times. In order not to bore you with expectations, I tell and show the main thing (the rest is on video).

Lupanarium photo

The photo below is an image on the wall of a lupanarium. There are many such images here (above eye level along the entire perimeter of the corridor inside). These are not just lewd 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, so, sorry for the frankness, but here everything is the same: you choose how you want to indulge in love pleasures from the pictures.

The lupanarium building 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. Besides the fact that the beds are made of stone, there is another noticeable feature - length beds 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, this was the most interesting thing in our visit to the luponarium, the rest is more interesting to those who have something to compare an institution like this with kind.

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 streets along which people who suffered death ran in agony. Thanks to the voids that were discovered during the excavations of the city, it was possible to restore the postures in which people died and even the expressions of their faces, disfigured by horror. Behind bars on one of the main squares, finds that give you goosebumps are displayed like museum exhibits. For example, this figure of a boy who curled up in despair and died here. On the right in the photo you see a bowl that is now filled with coins, but I didn’t throw it through the lattice fence, because, to be honest, this idea makes me cringe... I don’t know for what purpose this bowl was installed next to this poor young man, but I don’t like the way 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? Sorry for being emotional, but this is blasphemy.... A show that the masses support. I didn’t support him, and you decide for yourself, but just be aware of why you put your hand through the bars and try to get a coin into this bowl...

Pompeii photo from excavations

Archaeologists continue their work tirelessly and another quarter of the way to explore the city has not been completed. Maybe new discoveries will surprise us and open up new facets of city life, we’ll look forward to it.

Pompeii finds

In addition to human figures, 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 Villa Mysteri, which recently opened after restoration. It is truly a great pleasure to see one of the richest and beautiful houses, which has preserved stunning pieces of art and luxurious interiors to this day. I will not describe Villa in the article, but I suggest you finish and watch the video, which will answer 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 remain behind the scenes, but who immersed us in amazing world With interesting story, which we also became a part of.

See you on the pages of the AVIAMANIA website and the AVIAMANIA YouTube channel.

Pompeii video

Tourists visiting Southern Italy and its pearl, the city of Naples, have the opportunity to enjoy beautiful 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 don’t 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 scary, local residents They will advise you to go to the coast of the Gulf of Naples, east of Naples. There are three ancient cities there - Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae, life in which ceased on one day, August 24, 79, when the volcano began to speak in full force.

In the 1st century AD, serious and systematic observations of volcanoes, including Vesuvius, were not carried out. And it’s unlikely that they would have helped - Vesuvius has not been active since the Bronze Age and was considered extinct long ago.

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 proximity to the volcano.

"Ancient Roman Rublevka" 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 of the Roman dictator Sulla in 89 BC was considered a colony of Rome, lived, according to modern estimates, about 20 thousand people. 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 prosperity.

In addition, Pompeii can be called something between an ancient resort and the “ancient Roman Rublyovka” - many noble citizens of Rome had their villas here.

Nearby Herculaneum, like Pompeii, was founded in the 6th century BC. Its founding was attributed Hercules, who performed one of the feats in these places and “celebrated” this event by founding not even one, but two cities (the second was Pompeii).

The city, located directly on the seashore, was used as a port for a long time and developed successfully. However, by 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 catastrophe no more than 4,000 people lived in it.

By 79, Stabiae was considered a city only conditionally. Once large 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 restored, but representatives of the Roman aristocracy from among those who did not make it to “Rublyovka” in Pompeii chose it for their villas.

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, and there was very serious destruction in the cities themselves.

Human memory, however, can quickly erase unpleasant memories. Over the course of 17 years, much of what was destroyed was rebuilt. This is especially true for the city of Pompeii, which has become even better than before. The attractions of the city were the Temple of Jupiter, the forum and the amphitheater, which could accommodate almost the entire population of Pompeii.

Life in Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae went on as usual until August 24, 79. Moreover, on this day people flocked to the Pompeii amphitheater to watch gladiator fights.

The eruption began on the afternoon of August 24 and came as a complete surprise to residents of nearby towns and villages. Vesuvius threw a huge cloud of hot ash into the sky. Thermal energy, released by the volcano during the eruption, was several times greater than the energy released during the bombing of Hiroshima. The cloud of stones, ash and smoke reached a height of 33 kilometers. West Side The volcano exploded and fell into the expanded crater.

Despite the horror of what was happening, for city residents the disaster was not at all lightning fast. Ash fall, although it made breathing difficult and made it difficult to move around the city, was not a fatal phenomenon. Everyone who was able to assess the impending threat began to quickly leave the cities that were in danger. But not everyone could objectively assess the degree of danger.

Save yourself, whoever wants to

Famous ancient Roman writer Pliny the Elder, who in 79 held the post of commander of the galley fleet in Misenum on the shores of the Gulf of Naples, with the beginning of the eruption, attracted by its grandeur, headed to Stabiae in order to observe the violence of the elements and help the victims. Arriving in Stabia a few hours later, he was unable to leave due to the low tide. While calming the frightened inhabitants and awaiting changes in conditions at sea, Pliny the Elder died suddenly. According to one version, the cause of his death was sulfur fumes.

From his nephew's letters Pliny the Younger It is known that the disaster 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 start of the eruption.

According to researchers, the fatal blow to Pompeii and Herculaneum was dealt by pyroclastic flows - a mixture of high-temperature (up to 800 degrees Celsius) volcanic gases, ash and stones, capable of reaching speeds of up to 700 kilometers per hour. It was pyroclastic flows that caused the death of most of the people remaining in Herculaneum.

However, these flows hit the cities no earlier than 18-20 hours after the start of the disaster. All this time, the city residents 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 given 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 number of deaths was lower due to the fact that they themselves were much smaller than Pompeii.

Pliny the Younger did not witness what happened in Pompeii and Herculaneum, but he left evidence of the panic at Misenum, which survived the disaster: “The panic-stricken crowd followed us and (like any soul maddened with horror, any proposal seems more prudent , than her own) pressed on us like a dense mass, pushing us forward when we came out... We froze in the midst of the most dangerous and terrifying scene. The chariots that we ventured to take out shook so violently back and forth, although they were standing on the ground, that we could not hold them even if we put them under the wheels. big stones. The sea seemed to roll back and be pulled away from the shores by the convulsive movements of the Earth; definitely the land expanded significantly, and some sea animals found themselves on the sand... Finally, the terrible darkness began to gradually dissipate, like a cloud of smoke; reappeared daylight, and the sun even came out, although its light was gloomy, as happens before an approaching eclipse. Every object that appeared before our eyes (which were extremely weakened) seemed to have changed, covered with a thick layer of ash, as if snow.”

Canned history

After the first impact, a second wave of pyroclastic flows followed, which completed the job. Pompeii and Stabiae found themselves under a layer of ash and pumice 8 meters deep; in Herculaneum the layer of ash, stones and dirt was about 20 meters.

Who died in Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae?

Among the victims of the eruption were many slaves, whom their owners left to guard their property. Elderly and sick people who were unable to leave the cities due to their condition died. 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 by 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 time of destruction.

The surviving residents did not attempt to excavate the site of the tragedy, simply moving to a new location.

The lost cities were remembered only in the 18th century, when, after a new eruption of Vesuvius, workers in this area stumbled upon ancient Roman coins. For some time, the territory became a paradise for gold miners. Later they were replaced by hunters of rarities in the form of statues and other historical relics.

Full excavations of the city of Pompeii have begun Italian archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli. It was he who discovered that voids had formed in place of the bodies of people and animals buried under a layer of volcanic ash. By filling these voids with plaster, it was possible to reconstruct the dying poses of the victims of the eruption.

Giuseppe Fiorelli began the systematic work of scientists in Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae, 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.

Pompeii (city of Pompeii) is an ancient Roman city in Italy, located near Naples, Campania region. As a result of the eruption on August 24, 1979, he was buried under a layer of volcanic ash. Now it is a museum under open air listed World Heritage UNESCO.

On February 5, 62, a powerful earthquake occurred, which became the harbinger of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. This disaster caused enormous damage to the city; most of the buildings were repaired, but some remained damaged until the destruction of Pompeii. The eruption of Vesuvius began on the afternoon of August 24, 79 and lasted the whole day, as evidenced by some surviving fragments of letters from Pliny the Younger. This eruption led to the destruction of three cities - Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabiae and several other small villages and villas. Entire streets of the city, fully furnished houses, and the remains of people and animals that did not have time to escape were found under many meters of ash. The power of the eruption is evidenced by the fact that its ashes reached Egypt and Syria.

In 1592, the architect Dominico Fantana, while laying a canal from the Sarno River, came across part of the city wall. During the construction of the well in 1698, the ruins of an ancient building with the inscription “Pompeii” were discovered, then they decided that this was the villa of Pompey the Great.

Under the leadership of R. J. Alcubierre, excavations began again in 1748, but he was only interested in finds of artistic value, and everything else was destroyed. After protest from a number of scientists, his practice was stopped. In 1760 - 1804, under the leadership of F. le Vega, excavations continued. In 1763, an inscription was discovered on the pedestal of a statue buried in ash, only then did it become clear that this was the city of Pompeii.

In 1870, it was discovered that voids had formed in place of the bodies of people and animals buried under a layer of ash. These voids were filled with plaster; this technology helped restore the dying poses of the victims of the eruption. After the earthquake in 1980, restoration work was carried out in the city of Pompeii. Today, 20-25% of the territory of Pompeii remains unexcavated.

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This ancient Roman city became famous, infamous, only after tragic death under volcanic ash and lava. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius began on the afternoon of August 24, 79 AD. and continued until August 26 (the date of the eruption is still disputed).

Why is the city called POMPEII (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”) walked through the city.

The history of the city of Pompeii is poorly known. It is known that the expansion of Pompeii began in the 4th century BC. The city developed according to a rectangular urban planning plan; houses were built from limestone. From the end of I BC. and until his death in 79 AD. Pompeii reached its peak. All the main types of structures typical of a Roman city were erected here. Pompeii entered a period of rapid economic prosperity, largely due 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 buildings were repaired, but many remained damaged for another 17 years - until the eruption of Vesuvius.

The eruption of Vesuvius led to the destruction of three cities - Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabia and several small villages and villas (this and the following picture are 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 began only in 1748. Of the 20,000 inhabitants of Pompeii, about 2,000 people died in the 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 number of deaths was impossible to determine.

The main feature of Pompeii is the streets, squares, residential and public buildings, elite areas and slums of the city.

Even before entering 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 pack animals,

...the second is for pedestrians

The Forum is the central part of the ancient Roman city. Ceremonies took place here, brisk trade took place, and the city leadership met.
The Pompeii Forum (Foro di Pompei) is the center of the political, economic and religious life of the city. He was a big rectangular area measuring 38 by 157 m, surrounded in the Samnite era by a portico with Doric columns, and paved with travertine by the Romans.

BASILICA

In ancient Rome, a basilica was a building for judicial meetings. took place here the most important events.

The Basilica of Pompeii is relatively well preserved - a portico with columns and the remains of 28 Corinthian columns of the large central hall.

The basilica was built in 120-78 BC. e. Initially it served as a covered market; at the beginning of our era it became a courthouse. At the same time, a two-story “tribunal” was built in the depths of the basilica, part of which has survived to this day.

Municipality

The Municipality, a complex of three buildings in the southern part of the Forum, served as the meeting place for officials and the municipal council.

These buildings were once decorated with statues of noble citizens and emperors.

TEMPLE OF JUPITER (Tempio di Giove, Civil Forum)

The main temple of Pompeii. Built in 150 BC. e. It is known that before its 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. There were small shops 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 Marcus Claudius Marcellus; on the sides they sold fish and meat.
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 fullons, weavers and dyers who formed the basis of the economy of Pompeii. The building was not inferior in size to the basilica; it housed warehouses and traded fabrics.

Civil forum

The so-called "Arch of Nero". In fact, it was not possible to accurately determine the identity of this Arc de Triomphe. It is assumed that it was 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 us to date it to 575-550 BC. e. Presumably in the 2nd century BC. e. it was rebuilt, however, it retained characteristic feature Greek architecture: a colonnade along the entire perimeter of the temple.
The temple faces the main entrance to the basilica and is surrounded by a portico painted with scenes from the Iliad. The temple itself is surrounded by 28 Corinthian columns, 2 of which are fully preserved. The floor is made using the same technique as the floor of the Temple of Jupiter.

There is an altar in front of the stairs

"Apollo the Arrowman" throws arrows at Diana. This is a copy of a bronze statue, the original is in Naples.

A copy of the statue of "Diana" (goddess of flora and fauna, femininity and fertility)

TEMPLE OF ISIS

Temple of the late 2nd century BC. e., surrounded by a portico, with Corinthian columns, stands on a high plinth. It was rebuilt after the '62 earthquake

GYPSUM BODIES

In places where death found the inhabitants (and animals) of Pompeii, voids remained, 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 place where their owners were discovered

Near the main entrance there is a room with various archaeological finds. In the center is a famous boy

ART

Amazingly high level visual arts in Pompeii (frescoes, mosaics, statues), correlated with high level scientific achievements of the Renaissance

Amphitheater
There were three theaters in Pompeii - the small Odeon theater, which was designed for 1,500 people, the Bolshoi Theater for 5,000 seats, and the oldest amphitheater in the world, which could accommodate about 20,000 people.

Grand Theatre

Some of the buildings in the theater district

HOUSE OF THE FAUN (Casa del Fauno)

The House of the Faun - with an area of ​​3000 m² - is the most... luxury home in Pompeii. Presumably it was built for Publius Sulla, the nephew of the conqueror of the city, whom he placed at the head of Pompeii.

In front of the house is an impluvium (a shallow pool for collecting rainwater) with a rich geometric inlay of multi-colored marble and a figurine of a dancing Faun, which gives the house its name.

Triangular Forum / Foro Triangolare

The Triangular Forum is a triangular square surrounded by a colonnade of 95 Ionic columns.
It was built back in the Samnite era. On it stood a temple of the Doric order (VI century BC), dedicated to Hercules.

CRAFTS and LIFE

More than 30 bakeries were discovered in Pompeii, fully satisfying the needs of the townspeople and exporting their products to neighboring settlements.
Many devices, incl. millstones are made of volcanic rocks. This suggests that the Pompeians took advantage of the “results” of previous volcanic eruptions.
One of the most important crafts in the city was the production of woolen fabrics. 13 wool processing workshops, 7 spinning and weaving workshops, 9 dyeing workshops were found. The most important production step was wool felting

This stove was discovered in one of the houses, and therefore the house was called “House of the stove-maker” (Casa del fumista / House of the stove-maker). Another residential building is called the “House of the Surgeon” - numerous surgical instruments were found in it, which can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Naples. (A number of other names were also given based on specific features or symbols: House of the Tragic Poet, House of Gilded Cupids, House of the Moralist, etc.)

Water pipes. “Made by the slaves of Rome”?

Marble was widely used in rich houses

The ornament is kept under glass for preservation. On the right is a floor mosaic.

STREETS OF POMPEII

In the development of the city, columns were widely used, which can be seen everywhere.

Sparrows have been spotted in this area

Signs with street names and house numbers have been preserved

The stones in the foreground are a pedestrian zebra crossing: people crossed the street on them when slush and manure flowed 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 a very hot topic in Pompeii.

ABOUT THIS, or LUPANARIUM

The brothel (discovered in 1862) was called lupanarium, because... ladies of easy virtue were called loops (from Latin - “she-wolves”). It is believed that these establishments were visited by sailors.
The building was restored relatively recently (2006) to a “watchable” state. Scientists estimate that there were another 25 rooms in the city where sexual services were provided, usually located above wine shops.

The stone bed was covered with mattresses

Image on a cobbled street. In ancient Rome, the phallus was a symbol of male power; images of the phallus made of bronze or stone served as decoration for women; giant images of him were erected in temples. In Pompeii, images of the phallus served as signposts, showing the way to the lupanarium

Excavations in Pompeii continue

Police station

Table in a cafe
A whole town grew up around Pompeii - railroad station, hotels, administrative buildings, cafes, souvenir markets, shops - there is everything for tourists. People come here from many countries of the world to see and imagine how creatively diverse the streets and houses of the ancient Italian city were, which today has become a monument city, a city of legend.

In the immediate vicinity of Vesuvius and the city, which has gone into oblivion, but is clearly and clearly alive in memory, there are many settlements, public buildings, and rich villas. I asked the taxi driver Eduardo, who took us to Pompeii, if it was 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 were from - fellow taxi drivers advised us, having figured it out from the ship. “Aren’t you afraid of living in Israel? There are terrorist attacks every day, and the volcano wakes up once every hundred years. There is nothing to be afraid of - there is only one life,” Eduardo noted 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 there is National Park Vesuvius. The park was founded in 1995 and covers an area of ​​about 135 square kilometers.

Poppies are blooming here

This entry was originally posted at

Mysterious Pompeii, ancient settlement, keeping the breath Ancient Rome today it is an open-air museum. An extinct city, today it is coming back to life thanks to the efforts of archaeologists, albeit as a museum exhibit.

Pages of history

Until the eruption of Vesuvius swept away the city from the face of the earth, Pompeii was very highly developed and high-tech for its time settlement.

Pompeii is not quite a Roman city, as is commonly believed. It was founded in the 8th century BC. Oschi tribe - one of the ancient peoples of Italy. The name "Pompeii" ancient language Oskov can be translated as “five”, the reason for this name lies in the fact that Pompei were founded on the site of five ancient Oscan settlements.

True, there is another version, more likely related to mythology: supposedly in these parts Hercules defeated a powerful opponent and organized a solemn procession in the city on this occasion (Pompe - this is how “Pompeii” is translated from the ancient Greek language).

In Italy it was at that time many Greek colonies, so a little later the Osskis adopted Greek culture and architecture. The latter is especially clearly visible: the first buildings were chaotic, the order of buildings was not respected, and later, under Hellenic influence, urban architecture acquired clearer outlines - strict rows of streets and rows of houses. Moreover, the Oskos did not even suspect that they were building their houses directly on solidified lava...

After numerous battles The Romans gained power over the city.

Pompeii has a very convenient location economically: at the foot of Vesuvius, on the Sarno River. This location allowed the city's residents to use the river for shipping and trade. Residents were engaged in the production of oils, wool and wines, which also contributed to trade and prosperity of the city. And the Appian Way, which passed through the city, was important for the economy and trade.

Gradually Pompei came under the rule of Rome and became a recreation center for noble Roman patricians. The city grew and developed...

Do you dream of visiting Florence, one of the most romantic cities in Italy? Then you should look at the main architectural structure of the city - Palazzo Vecchio. Detailed information.

Tragedy of the city

The first “alarm bell” rang in 62 AD, when the major earthquake. Many houses and temples were destroyed. But the city residents managed to short time everything was restored and life again flowed along its usual course.

The peak occurred on 24 August 79. Happened on this day violent eruption Vesuvius volcano, after which the city was buried for centuries under a multi-meter layer of ash.

The day before, flakes of ash began to fall on the city, and there was so much of it that they had to constantly shake it off their clothes. Volcano for a long time was considered asleep, so at first none of the residents paid attention to the cloud of smoke and fire escaping from the vent.

Stones began to fall from the sky, and the ashes settled on the houses in such a thick layer that the roofs began to collapse, burying the people remaining in the premises.

The more astute townspeople left Pompeii immediately after the first rainfall, and fled until nearby villages. The eruption lasted for about a day. The city was completely destroyed.

It was discovered by accident in the 17th century during the construction of a water pipeline. The honor of discovery belongs to the Italian architect Domenico Fontana, who, while excavating, came across the remains of a wall and well-preserved frescoes near the river. Moreover for a long time they could not imagine that these pitiful remains were the ruins of the mighty Pompeii.

And only when a sign board was found(border pillar), it became clear that here the once majestic ancient Roman city was buried under layers of earth.

Full-fledged excavations began a century later, in the 17th century, and continue to this day, as well as scientific research.

For more information about the Pompeii tragedy and excavations, watch the video:

Sights and interesting places

Today, on the site of the legendary city, you can see only the remains former greatness. You can find the Pompei excavation site near Naples. Open-air museum city attracts many tourists every year.

Pompeii is not only a mass of interesting sights in Italy, but also unique witness to history. Due to the fact that the city was almost instantly covered with ash, all surviving buildings, frescoes, mosaics, sculptures and objects are very well preserved. So, what can you see today in the place where Pompeii is located?

• Forum.

  This building can be called the heart of the ancient Roman city, its social and economic center. At first, on the site of the Forum there was only a trading area, then the market was significantly expanded, and residents began to gather at the market not only for shopping, but also for discussing city events.
  



• Lupanarium.

  “A hot place” in the city, where townspeople came in search of carnal pleasures. The name itself is translated in Italian as “she-wolf” - it was with the help of a wolf-like howl that women of easy virtue attracted their clients. The priestesses of love of that time were quite easy to recognize - hair collected and raised at the back of the head, and a wide red belt on their clothes.

  All rooms for love dates were painted with erotic frescoes. Today some of these frescoes can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Naples. By the way, this was not the only brothel in the city (there were about 30 of them in total), but Lupanarium was the most famous.
  



• Amphitheater.

  A large-scale structure on two levels was intended for gladiatorial fights and various spectacles. Only the outer walls and seats were preserved, but the steps were completely destroyed - they were made of wood and simply did not survive the eruption.
  



• Residential buildings.

  All buildings and residential buildings are very well preserved, almost in their original form (if, of course, you make an allowance for the past tense). The interior decoration of the houses did not differ in aesthetics, but externally they were very richly decorated, painted with frescoes or decorated with mosaic ornaments.

  There were almost no windows in the houses (unlike the palaces and houses of rich nobles); they were replaced by narrow openings. There were no street signs either; the name of its owner was simply written on each house (some of these signs are kept in the Archaeological Museum). On the territory of each house there was a stone pool to collect rainwater (such water was considered sacred).
  



• Frescoes found during excavations.

  They contain historical scenes and scenes of Roman entertainment. Almost all of them were transferred to the Naples Museum, and in the restored city you can only see skillfully made copies.
  

• In addition, you can also see Temple of Jupiter, Small Theater, Bolshoi Theater, Stabian Baths, triumphal arches and other surviving buildings of Pompeii.

During excavations it was found a lot of gold jewelry, ceramics. The ceramics were generally well preserved, although the designs and patterns on the pots and jugs were damaged by fire and time.

Several bakeries found – huge stoves, kitchen utensils and other equipment, as well as the so-called thermopolia - taverns. Rarely did any house in Pompeii have kitchens with stoves, so food was delivered from thermopolias like these.

Opening hours, ticket prices

• During high season (from the beginning of April to the end of October) you can get to Pompei from 8.30 am, and the closing time is 7 pm (the ticket office closes at 5.30 pm, an hour and a half before closing).
• IN low season (this time is from November to March) Pompeii can be seen from 8.30 (9.00) in the morning until 17.00 (the ticket office closes at 15.30).
• Ticket price – 13 euros. They can be purchased at the box office.

There, at the ticket office, you can pick up a guide map, otherwise it’s easy to get lost in all the intricacies of the ancient streets.

• An excursion to Pompeii can be combined with a visit to other ancient cities - Herculaneum, Boscoreale, Villa Stadia and others. In this case the ticket will cost at 22 euros (with discount).
• Groups of schoolchildren and students can visit Pompeii by appointment. None There are no restrictions on the number of groups here.

Check ticket prices, find out about excursion schedules, and also get acquainted with other background information you can talk about Pompeii on the official website of the attraction – www.pompeiisites.org

There are no Russian-speaking guides here, and the guide map is offered in Italian or English languages. Therefore, you can print out information about the most significant objects and attractions of Pompeii in advance on the Internet, and already navigate on the spot, relying on this data.