The Volcanic Eruption That Destroyed Pompeii

In the year 79 A.D. a Roman city came to a halting end. The city was called Pompeii and they were located right near the volcano Mount Vesuvius. Once there was a thriving city, but it died all at once when Mount Vesuvius exploded and covered everything in ash. Historians and archaeologists have been studying and excavating the area and are still finding artifacts today. Archeologists are finding many things that are intact and it is helping them find out who the people of Pompeii were. This essay will be discussing the characteristics of the city and its people, the archeological finds, and how it has become a tourist destination today.

The geographical characteristics of Pompeii have an impact on its people. The city was near the Tyrrhenian Sea and Mount Vesuvius. It was a growing and constantly changing shape because the island was made of hardened lava. This island was first governed by the Greeks and when they settled on it, they found “favorable climate and rich volcanic soil which allowed for the blossoming of agricultural activity, particularly olives and grapes” (Cartwright, M. “Pompeii” Ancient History Encyclopedia). In 79 A.D. Pompeii was then governed by the Romans and it “was a flourishing resort for Rome’s most distinguished citizens.” (“Pompeii.” History.com.) The city was a place of grandeur along the coast where the residents were servants that waited on the guest. It was located what is near present day Naples. This Roman vacation destination had beautifully styled architecture. It was a mixture of both Greek and Roman influences which both empires were known to have. In a simple google images search, there are pictures that show that there were lots of pillars, archways, and grand stairs that were the base of the buildings. Also, there were walls that went around the perimeter to show the exclusivity of the city. They had a look of opulence which was one of the fascinating essences of the Roman people. The residents of Pompeii had an appreciation for the arts and theater. The city was also very rich in exports and was important to the trade routes all over the Roman empire. It was a popular meeting spot because it was so close to the water. The cities geography and the people both define each other.

A couple of feet underground a city stuck in time remains. That city was Pompeii. Archeologists started digging there in 1775 after a construction group accidentally found it. During archeological digs historians, have found many different objects, human remains, and buildings. One of the most recent finds from the site was an intact skeleton of a horse. Historians have been able to make great assertions from their finds. Some interesting facts come from the volcanic ash statues that were once people.

“A particularly rich source of data has been skeletal remains and the possibility to take plaster casts of the impressions left by the dead in the volcanic material provide evidence that bad teeth were a common problem - enamel was worn away by stone chips in bread, residue from the basalt milling stone. Tooth decay and abscesses from an over-sweet diet were a common problem and tuberculosis, brucellosis and malaria were also rife. The skeletal remains of slaves, often found still chained despite the disaster, also tell a sad tale of malnutrition, chronic arthritis and deformity caused by overwork” (Cartwright, M. “Pompeii” Ancient History Encyclopedia).
Based on the ailments and positions of the human caste’s historians can figure out their place in society. The buildings the archeologist have found were all in well enough condition that they were able to figure out what their purpose entailed. There were three buildings that catered to the public. Each building was referred to as a forum. The forums were in acknowledgment of the gods. An important building archeologist has found is called the Christian basilica. The Christian basilica was the spot local government would convene and carry out duties. In terms of architecture and style, the archeologist is most impressed with the homes they had found. “The most luxurious houses were built during the second Samnite period (200–80 BCE) when increased trade and cultural contacts resulted in the introduction of Hellenistic refinements” (Jashemski, F, Wilhelmina. “Pompeii.”). Historians have been able to trace every change people saw in Pompeii. They could amazingly see and tell the differences between the times because of architectural style and empire.

Today people visit Naples, Italy to see the city that is frozen in time. It is a tourist attraction that brings people from all over the world to see it. According to the New York Post in 2018 Pompeii had about 3.6 million visitors. People visit because Italy has made it a park where tourists pay to walk around and see history up close and personal. Tourists can walk every inch of the area because there are no barriers or glass protectors around the artifacts. With this comes a lot of trusts to not disturb the site but some people cannot be trusted not to do that. Because of this security and surveillance measures had to change. From the same New York Post article, it was reported that cameras were installed on site.

I imagine that it is such a privilege to walk the site and be face to face with an actual thing that saw the event. In those moments you don’t need the imagination to imagine their reality which was the volcano explosion. I also imagine it to be a somber occasion because you literally witness their last seconds. Sadly, some people don’t pay the respect it deserves because they pick through the artifacts like it is there’s for the taking. In my opinion that is super disrespectful because they will be the reason why some people walk the sight with boundaries and glass barriers. I wish people would not do that because not only is it wrong, but it doesn’t honor the history and the authenticity of the people who lived there and died during the volcano’s eruption. Depending on a person’s belief they could be messing with the afterlife and be throwing off the cosmos. In an ideal world, people could have the self-control to walk and look with their eyes and not their hands. Even if it’s a small piece of it the person is defacing an artifact that is in pristine condition.

Pompeii was and continues to be a place of great fascination. Pompeii as we know it today turned to ash in 79 A.D. but before that, it was a great city that prospered under the Roman empire. It was a vacation resort, that was well involved with trade and agriculture. Through the many years of archeological digs, many castes and buildings were found and each of those helped a great deal for historians and their understanding. In a glimpse, one could tell that they were influenced by the Greek/Roman style. And that the people who inhabited the buildings suffered a variety of ailments and diseases based on their lifestyle. Today it is a popular tourist destination where people can visit and be apart of history. It’s truly amazing the information that historians were able to discern from the artifacts they have found. As new studies are performed, and artifacts are found people can take their knowledge back in time to the place that’s frozen in time.

Works Cited

1. Cartwright, Mark. 'Pompeii.' Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 21 Mar 2018. Web. 08 Dec 2019.
2. Jashemski, F, Wilhelmina. “Pompeii.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. November 07, 2019. 08 Dec 2019.
3. McClanahan, Paige. “Can a Restored Pompeii Be Saved From ‘Clambering’ Tourists?” New York Post. 2019/10/25. 08 Dec 2019.
4. “New finds from Pompeii.” world archeology.com. July 19, 2018. November 6, 2019
5. “Pompeii.” History.com A&E Television Networks. August 8, 2019. November 6, 2019