POMPEII
MOUNT VESUVIUS & HERCULANEUM
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The excavation and study of Pompeii and Herculaneum has greatly enriched our understanding of ancient Rome. These cities serve as time capsules, providing a rare glimpse into the daily life, culture, and society of one of the most influential civilizations in human history. They also shed light on why Jehovah might have chosen the first century C.E. and the Roman world as a backdrop for the spread of Christianity.
The excavations reveal temples and shrines dedicated to various deities, suggesting that people had spiritual needs and were receptive to new ideas (as evidenced by the presence of the temple of Isis, demonstrating a willingness to embrace foreign beliefs). The well-developed road network facilitated travel and the exchange of ideas, a tool used by the early Christians to spread their message. In addition, the relative peace and prosperity, including amenities such as public baths, water supplies, and free food for the poorest, allowed for more than mere survival, creating space for social interaction, education, and, consequently, Bible study and ministry.
On the other hand, the abundance of false traditions, a culture of excess, materialism, and a focus on entertainment point to a society entrenched in vice and moral decay, as evidenced by lavish villas, theaters, and depictions of revelry, debauchery, and immoral practices. This is consistent with the Bible's portrayal of moral decay in the Roman world (Romans 1:24-31) and parallels perfectly our own day (2 Timothy 3:1-5). For this reason, exploring these ancient cities reveals why biblical texts addressed to first-century Christians remain relevant today and highlights our common experience with these brothers and sisters.
By the way, although there is no direct evidence of a Christian presence in Pompeii or Herculaneum, there are some interesting theories that suggest that Christians may have lived in or at least visited the city... maybe I'll elaborate on this one day, but for now, let's explore these fascinating sites.
POMPEII
POMPEII
Our virtual visit of Pompeii starts at the second entrance. If you'd like to follow along on a map and read more about the different sites, you can visit the website by the Archaeological Site of Pompeii: https://pompeiisites.org/en/archaeological-site/ ➥. I'll do my best to label the photos with corresponding numbers and titles.
II 10 NECROPOLIS OF NOCERA GATE
II 6 LARGE PALAESTRA
II 5 AMPHITHEATER
II 4 FORUM BOARIUM
Archaeological research in this large area revealed the traces of a cultivated vineyard, together with a wine press and 10 large terracotta vats sunk into the ground, which were designed to hold an estimated 12000 liters of grapes. An experimental vineyard has been reconstructed on that location in modern times.
During the first excavations, a large number of cattle bones were found here and it was thought that this must have been the Forum Boarium, a marketplace where cattle were sold. Our literature refers to it here: https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2010728 ➥.
II 3 PRAEDIA OF GIULIA FELICE
II 1 HOUSE OF OCTAVIUS QUARTIO
The Day of Eruption
An August day* in the year 79 C.E. began like any other in Pompeii. Bathed in the golden light of the Mediterranean sun, the city was bustling with activity as its inhabitants went about their daily routines. Marcus was already hard at work in his bakery, kneading dough and shaping loaves for the day ahead. Gaius opened his shop on Via dell'Abbondanza, arranging his wares and greeting customers with a warm smile. In the House of the Golden Cupids, gardener Titus tended to the lush vegetation that adorned the courtyard of the villa, diligently pruning and watering the plants. As the sun climbed higher in the sky, life in Pompeii continued unabated, but little did its inhabitants know that the tranquility of this ordinary day would soon be shattered by the forces of nature.
As the clock neared noon, the first ominous signs appeared. A small fissure near the volcano's mouth released a hiss of steam, a mere whisper of the disaster to come. Small tremors shook the city, sending shivers down the spines of its inhabitants, but many dismissed the warnings as mere quirks of nature. Then, in a sudden and violent eruption, a towering column of smoke and ash rose into the sky, blotting out the sun and plunging Pompeii into darkness. The ground shook with the force of the explosion, buildings trembled, and screams filled the air.
As the eruption continued, a relentless rain of pumice descended upon the city, hitting rooftops and streets with deadly force. Buildings crumbled under the weight of the debris, trapping those within and claiming lives in an instant. Darkness descended as the ash cloud drifted overhead, obscuring the sun and plunging the city into an eerie twilight. Those who had sought refuge in their homes found themselves trapped, the air thick with choking smoke and the ground trembling beneath their feet. As the hours passed, Pompeii became a scene of unimaginable horror. Buildings collapsed, streets became rivers of ash, and the cries of the wounded mingled with the roar of the volcano.
“You could hear women lamenting, children crying, men shouting. Some were calling for parents, others for children or spouses; they could only recognize them by their voices. Some bemoaned their own lot, other that of their near and dear. 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 last unending night for the world. ... We stood up and shook the ash off again and again, otherwise we would have been covered with it and crushed by the weight. I might boast that no groan escaped me in such perils, no cowardly word, but that I believed that I was perishing with the world, and the world with me.” (From an eyewitness, Pliny the Younger, Letter II)
Finally, in a series of devastating surges, Vesuvius unleashed a scorching wave of heat and debris that swept through the streets, incinerating everything in its path and burying Pompeii entirely under a blanket of ash.
* or October, according to the latest research
Animation by Zero One, created for the Melbourne Museum (length 8:40)
I 16 GARDEN OF THE FUGITIVES
In total, Vesuvius dropped eighteen million tons of volcanic debris on Pompeii and the surrounding area. While the exact death toll is impossible to determine, it is known that approximately 2,000 people were killed in Pompeii alone, with a total estimated casualty count of up to 16,000. Approximately one-third of the victims sought shelter in buildings, while the rest were discovered buried under the final wave of ash and destruction.
During excavations, archaeologists discovered voids in the volcanic ash left by the decomposed bodies of the victims. They carefully injected liquid plaster into the cavities and, after removing the surrounding ash and debris, revealed the shapes of the victims with remarkably detailed impressions at the moment of their deaths.
I 13 HOUSE OF THE FLORAL CUBICLES
I 9 HOUSE OF THE EPHEBE
I 8 HOUSE OF PAQUIUS PROCULUS
IX 7 INSULA OF THE LOVERS CHASTE (under excavation)
I 12 THERMOPOLIUM OF VETUTIUS PLACIDUS
IX 6 THERMOPOLIUM OF ASELLINA
VIA DELL' ABBONDANZA
I 5 HOUSE OF THE CRYPTOPORTICUS
I 3 FULLERY OF STEPHANUS
I 4 HOUSE OF THE LARARIUM OF ACHILLES
I 6 HOUSE OF THE CEII
I 7 HOUSE OF THE MENANDER
IX 5 HOUSE OF M. EPIDIUS RUFUS
VIA DEL TEMPIO D'ISIDE with the entrance to the VIII 8 TRIANGULAR FORUM and the VIII 14 TEMPLE OF ISIS
VIII 10+12 THEATRE AND ODEON
VIII 8 SAMNITE PALAESTRA
VIII 1 SANCTUARY OF VENUS
VIII 19 ANTIQUARIUM AND OTHER EXHIBITION AREAS
VII 1 SUBURBAN BATHS
The walls of the dressing room of these baths are decorated with paintings of a highly erotic nature, leading to the conclusion that this area must have been a brothel attached to the baths, but a final interpretation remains to be made.
These and similar images found at Pompeii are actually the origin of the term "pornography" that was first used to classify these explicit artifacts (https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102002485 ➥).
VII 3 HOUSE OF THE SAILOR
VII 22 HOUSE OF MARCUS FABIUS RUFUS
VI 7 HOUSE OF THE OVEN
VI 10 HOUSE OF THE DIOSCURI
VI 11 HOUSE OF THE VETTII
VI 4 HOUSE OF THE TRAGIC POET
VII 10 FORUM BATHS
VII 5-15, VIII 2 FORUM
VII 19 HOUSE OF THE WOUNDED BEAR
VII 17 HOUSE OF SIRICO
VII 18 LUPANAR
VII 16 STABIAN BATHS
I hope you enjoyed this photo tour of Pompeii. I've visited Pompeii on three occasions - once on a bitterly cold December day back in 2014, then in June during the pandemic when the were no crowds, and finally, in April 2023, apparently a month when every school class in Italy and beyond visits Pompeii.
The images are from all three of my visits to the site. Each trip was unique - new excavations were underway, new houses were opened to the public, and others were closed for restoration and conservation. Pompeii is an active archaeological site and is worth a visit regardless of whether one has been there before, as there is always something new to discover.
Whenever you choose to visit, I highly recommend starting your day during the opening hours and staying until closing time. Not only will you need that much time to explore everything Pompeii has to offer, but you'll also have the advantage of avoiding the crowds, which typically peak from 10 am to 2 pm. Since it's difficult to keep going all the time, we usually chose one of the less crowded spots in the Triangular Forum and took a longer break. Next time, I'm considering planning a two-day visit to split the walking time and enjoy without feeling rushed.
We always made the trip from Rome to Pompeii. Renting a car at the airport and driving ourselves was the most convenient option, although it's a 3-hour drive. Parking is readily available around the second entrance, with some spaces even offered for free, though they tend to fill up quickly.
You can also visit Pompeii from Rome via train. Take a high speed train from the Termini train station to Naples (Italo or Trenitalia) and then go to the Circumvesuviana subway station to catch a train to Pompeii. The journey takes about 2 hours in total.
If you're comig from Naples or the Amalfi Coast, it's only about an hour away, making it perfect for a day trip.
Opening Hours & Tickets:
https://pompeiisites.org/en/visiting-info/timetables-and-tickets/ ➥
Resources & Routes:
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101996647 ➥
https://www.planetpompeii.com/en/map/punti.html ➥
https://pompeiisites.org/en/visiting-info/map-and-guide-to-the-excavations/ ➥
https://madainproject.com/pompeii ➥
Virtual Walk via Google Street View:
MOUNT VESUVIUS
MOUNT VESUVIUS
Did you know you can hike Mount Vesuvius? Although the crater may seem harmless and somewhat unimpressive, the hike is fascinating and the views are great! From the top you can see Naples and the bay of ancient Puteoli, where Paul disembarked on his way to Rome. The historical catastrophe, combined with the knowledge that Vesuvius is the most dangerous volcano in Europe, adds a bit of drama to the visit ;).
You can find information about the paths, times and tickets here: https://www.parconazionaledelvesuvio.it/en/visit-the-park/ ➥.
by The Dronaut, CC BY-SA 4.0
HERCULANEUM
HERCULANEUM
While Pompeii was a bustling city and trading center, Herculaneum was a smaller resort town for many of Rome's elite and aristocratic families. This is reflected in the more exclusive residential area, the opulence of the villas, and the presence of luxurious facilities such as private baths and gardens.
The pyroclastic flows that consumed Herculaneum during the eruption of Vesuvius were significantly hotter and faster moving than those that buried Pompeii. These flows were so intense that they instantly vaporized organic material, such as human flesh, leaving only skeletal remains. At the same time, the thick layer of volcanic mud effectively sealed the city and protected other organic materials, such as wood and food.
The exceptional level of preservation offers a more vivid and detailed picture than what is found in Pompeii, which suffered significant destruction from falling rocks and fires that led to the collapse of upper floors and the burning of wooden structures.
What also makes Herculanem an extraordinary archaeological site is that the excavations are limited by the modern town of Ercolano, which sits on top of the ancient ruins. To overcome this limitation, tunnels have been created to allow researchers to access areas of the ancient city that are inaccessible from the surface (although public access to these parts is limited).
Opening Hours & Tickets:
https://ercolano.beniculturali.it/oraricontatti/ ➥
Guide:
https://ercolano.beniculturali.it/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ercolano_eng.pdf ➥ (English)
https://ercolano.beniculturali.it/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ercolano_ted.pdf ➥ (German)
Virtual Walk via Google Street View:
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.8055625,14.3484723 ➥
Just a short walk from the entrance to the Herculaneum Archaeological Park is the Virtual Archaeological Museum MAV, which offers an interactive exhibition that recreates ancient Herculaneum as it was before the volcanic eruption destroyed the city.
Information: www.museomav.com ➥
If you only have time to visit one site, Pompeii should be your first choice. However, if you have an extra day, Herculaneum is definitely worth exploring. It offers a more intimate and relaxed experience compared to Pompeii, as its excavated area is only about 9% of that of Pompeii. In addition, Herculaneum has plenty of shaded areas, making it a good option for escaping the heat during your visit.
Published on May 2024
Page updated
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