HSC Ancient Core Study: Pompeii and Herculaneum Sources and Quotations

Geographical Setting and Natural Resources
“[Campania is] one of the loveliest places on earth”

Source: Pliny the Elder (Ancient Historian)

Geographical Setting and Natural Resources
Quote: “[Campania has] an abundance of corn, vines and olives, splendid fleeces produced by its sheep”

Source: Pliny the Elder (Ancient Historian)

Source: Fresco depicting Bacchus on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius Location: Pompeii

The eruption
“A cloud of extraordinary size appeared”

Source: Pliny the Younger (Ancient Historian)

The eruption
“Rain of pumice stones”

Source: Pliny the Younger (Ancient Historian)

The eruption
“Earth shocks became so violent”“Soon the cloud began to descend upon the earth and cover the sea”

Source: Pliny the Younger (Ancient Historian)

The eruption
“The walls of the house were swaying with violent shocks.”

Source: Pliny the Younger (Ancient Historian)

Public and Private Buildings
“The clever orientation of porticoes, dining rooms and bedrooms… shows that Roman aristocrats consciously included nature in their designs… This takes the Hellenistic approach to an extreme”

Paul Zanker (Contemporary Historian)

Public and Private Buildings

Impluvium in the atrium of a house House of Menander, Pompeii

Public and Private Buildings

Source: The Forum Location: Pompeii

Public and Private Buildings

Source: Collegium of Augustales Location: Herculaneum

The Economy

Source: Wine press Location: Villa of Mysteries, Pompeii

The Economy

Source: Fuller’s basin in the impluvium of a house Location: House of the Fullery, Pompeii

The Economy

Source: Thermopolium Location: Thermopolium of Vetutius Placidus

The Economy

Source: Remains of fish and bones, fruit and cereal, and centre area which housed a fish tank, fountain and workbench. Location: The Macellum, Pompeii

Source: Herbs and spices found in sewerage waste, including black peppercorns, suggests far reaching famine.

Location: Herculaneum

Quote: “Come to the sign of the bowls [for] half a dozen types of wine”

Source: Herculaneum tavern sign

Slaves

Quote:“Poppaea Note, a freed woman of Priscus… had slaves of her own”

Source: Pamela Bradley (Contemporary Historian)

Slaves

Source: Bracelet engraved with “From a master to his slave girl” Location: Pompeii

Women

Quote: “Women could own property, do business, pay for construction, hold honorific and cultic office, and go about in public”

Source: Elaine Fantham (Contemporary Historian)

women

Source: House of Julia Felix Location: Pompeii

Leisure Activities

Source: Palaestra. Excavations uncovered a pile of 2.2kg round stones used for throwing contest. Location: Herculaneum

Leisure Activities

Source: Bronze gladiator’s helmet Location: Pompeii

Leisure Activities

Source: Terracotta theatrical mask Location:House of Neptune Mosaic, Herculaneum

Baths
Quote: “A visit to the baths was a regular social event”

Source: Brian Brennan (Contemporary Historian)

Baths

Source: Men’s changing room at the Forum baths Location: Herculaneum

Water
Quote: “Herculaneum carried rainwater and waste out to sea via an excellent drainage system”

Source: Brian Brennan (Contemporary Historian)

Water Supply

Source: Public water fountain Location: 1 of 42 excavated at Pompeii

Religion

Source: Lararium Location: House of Vettii, Pompeii

Religion

Quote: “The large number of such shrines indicated widespread religious practices among the inhabitants of Pompeii as a whole”

Source: Alison Cooley (Contemporary Historian)

Religion

Source: Temple of Isis Location: Pompeii

Religion

Source: Bronze statue of Apollo Location: Temple of Apollo, Pompeii

Religion

Source: Marble sacrificial altar Location: Temple of Vespasian, Pompeii