pompeii
through the ashes & under the dust
by Laura Pazzaglia
(return to Campania)

"You could hear women lamenting, children crying, men shouting. There were some so afraid of death that they prayed for death. Many raised their hands to the gods, and even more believed that there were no gods any longer and that this was one unending night for the world." wrote Pliny the Younger after witnessing the eruption, and destruction , of Mt. Vesuvius August 24-25, 79AD

Pompeii was thriving city under the Roman empire... until nature preserved it perfectly under ash and soot for 1700 years. It wasn't until 1748 that archaeologists began slowly uncovering the ancient city, preserved under 9 feet of volcanic ash and frozen in time by Pliny the Younger's vivid report. Pompeii and it's neighbor, Herculeum suffered similar fates, and have given scientists and archeologists a snapshot into ancient Roman life -- clues not to just how this city's inhabitants died, but how they lived.

While archeologists dig through the human clues preserved by the ash, the city's architecture tells us how these ancient Pompeiians communicated. Mosaics extended beyond art and were frequently used as a method of conveying a message.

Today, visitors can tour Pompeii and see many of the frescos and mosaics in situ (in their original setting). Though the most delicate pieces have been moved to the Museo Nazionale in Naples for preservation and study, Pompeii and Herculeum are probably the largest sources of complete ancient mosaics and frescoes of that time.

Pompeii left a rich record of the people that lived there. Important news, such as elections, public entertainment and advertisements, were written or drawn by scriptors on the walls of the buildings. Even more numerous are the pieces of graffiti on Pompeii's walls, notes left by shopkeepers, students, lovers, gladiators, tourists, fans, swindlers and business men and women. Examples of such graffiti and inscriptions include:

"Someone at whose table I do not dine, Lucius Istacidius, is a barbarian to me."

" Profit is happiness"

" Lucius painted this."

"Samius says to Cornelius: Go hang!"

• First Style also referred to as Incrustation or Structural Style, (150-80 B.C.) referred to the stuccos and panels imitate colored marble facing.
• Second Style also referred to as Architectural Style (80 B.C.-14 A.D.) reflects the additions of large paintings with figured compositions alternated with mock architectural details.
• Third Style also referred to as Egyptianizing or Ornamental Style, (beginning ca 14 A.D.) is marked by the painters taking great care over detail and doing work with a refined technique and color.
• Fourth Style also referred to as Illusionist Style,( beginning ca 62A.D) progressed to the subjects, perspectives and architecture becoming more and more surrealistic and full of decorative elements.

campania... * Campania Region * Campania Guide * Mt. Vesuvius and I * Campania Cooking School * Shap out if it! * Capri Cafes * Miracle in Naples * Pompeii * Neopolitan Cuisine * What do you know about Campania? * More Italian regions...

Mosaics with deep influence from the Greek style can be found on the floors, walls and sometimes ceilings of many of the buildings. In fact, one particular area which could only be equated to a modern mini-mall, had mosaics on the sidewalks to describe the nature of the business of that shop.

One home, referred to as the home of the "Tragic Poet" , has a mosaic at the entrance of a fierce dog straining at a chain. Underneath this image are the Latin words "Cave Canem" (Beware of Dog).

Pompeii is still being excavated today -- brush stroke by brush stroke. To keep up with the latest discoveries from Pompeii and Herculeum, tune into Discovery's Special on Pompeii. Good digging!