Pompeii
Pompei · Pompeia
Roman (foundation Oscan 6th c BCE, Roman from 80 BCE)·Roman·🇮🇹 Campania, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy
About
About Pompeii
Roman city of 12,000 buried by Vesuvius eruption 24 August 79 CE under 4–6 m pumice and ash, preserving streets, villas, Forum, amphitheatre, baths and plaster casts of victims. Rediscovered 1748, most complete Roman town.
Why it mattersType-site for Roman urbanism and daily life; stratigraphic preservation unique.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Exact eruption date August vs October debate (coin/cast evidence)
Theories
- 01Direction of pyroclastic surges
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 6th c BCE – 79 CE
- Period
- Roman (foundation Oscan 6th c BCE, Roman from 80 BCE)
- Culture
- Roman
- Purpose
- Port and trading city
- Abandoned
- 79 CE catastrophic burial
- Rediscovered
- 1748
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
6th c BCE – 79 CE
Initial construction
c. 1175 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
40.7510° N · 14.4897° E · 42 m · 4 mapped features
Forum
forumCivic heart with temples
40.7491° N · 14.4845° EHouse of the Faun
domusLargest private mansion, Alexander Mosaic
40.7512° N · 14.4848° EAmphitheatre of Pompeii
amphitheatreOldest surviving Roman amphitheatre 80–70 BCE
40.7516° N · 14.4942° EVilla of the Mysteries
villaFrieze of initiation rites
40.7535° N · 14.4770° E
Gallery