Pompeii

August 24th AD79

• Sleepy but wealthy town
• Many Roman vacation homes
• Pliny the Elder: Author, Retired Admiral
  • originally went to observe the eruption, realizes that it would need to be a rescue mission
  • dies of heart attack
• Pliny the Younger (nephew) writes of the death of his uncle
• Main destructive part of the eruption: pyroclastic flow
• Pyroclastic flow: “tsunami of searing heat”, mixture of gas , rock, and ash like a wave
• Forum: place of primary activity of city; commercial, public, civic admin
• Basilica: rectangular, one isle on either side, middle open space called naive/cella, apse
• Election season seen by Electoral Graffiti
• Thermopolia/ Thermopolium: Fast food type of place
  • Thermopolium contains: dutch ovens, water pots, wine jugs
• Insula (Island): Typical city block
  • Stepping stones: used to avoid togas getting dirtied by the sewers in the street
• House of Pansa, Plan
  • Fauces: “Jaws of the house” Entry
  • Atrium: Main area for hosting, open roof area
  • Main type of relation ship in Rome: “Patron, Client”
  • Patron receives clients in atrium then goes out to their own patrons
  • Impluvium: A pool of water collected from rain, center of the atrium
  • Axial plan: “along an axis” Allows for directed free sight, eyes guided by half walls, atrium, impluvium, etc
  • bedrooms on 2nd style
  • House of Pansa: Atrium style house