Pompeii
At 1:00 P. M. on
August 24, 79 A. D. Mount Vesuvius suddenly erupted. Within a few hours the entire city of
Pompeii was covered with ashes. Volcanic matter continued to blanket the city for three
day. When it stopped fifteen to twenty feet of ashes covered Pompeii.
Artifacts and
people were encased in the ash. Two thousand people died. The town remained buried for
almost two thousand years. Archaeologists uncovered the city. They discovered the the town
in almost the same condition as it had been years ago.
By studying the
remains of Pompeii, archaeologists have learned a lot about the way the Romans lived.
|
Street - Notice the high
footpaths on each side of the cobblestone street. These were built because the streets had
little drainage. |
| Pompeii. Amphitheater.
Exterior |
|
 |
Pistrinum (bakery). Flour
mills and oven for baking bread |
Forum Baths. Calidarium, S. end
Romans could leave the baths and find a quick lunch at one of the many cafes and tavens. |
|
Photos courtesy and
©1997 Leo Curran, Maecenas: Images of
Ancient Greece and Rome
Go to
Pompeii Part 2 |