Pompeii+Unit

The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79 was a blessing and a disaster. For the thousands of individuals who were trapped in the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae, it was a horrific occurrence. Centuries later, archaeologists, volcanologists, historians and Latin students see it as a window into the everyday lives of first century Romans. The archaeological site of Pompeii has allowed us to see aspects of Roman life that would never have been possible under other circumstances – foods, clothing, frescoes, graffiti, and much more, including the final moments of many of the city’s occupants. The writings of Pliny the Younger give an eyewitness account of the eruption, and are filled with details that have given scientists clues about how the eruption truly occurred. We will explore the geography and history of Pompeii before the eruption, to see why it was such a popular town for the Romans. Then we will explore the science of Mt. Vesuvius’ eruption, and translate Pliny’s account of it. Finally, we will experience the archaeological sites in Pompeii and see how the city is being excavated today.
 * Overview**
 * Directions**
 * Carefully review the goals, objectives, and outcomes of this unit.
 * Read the course topic and assignment pages.
 * Complete the discussion and submit the assignment for this unit.


 * Goals and Objectives**

During this unit, students will:
 * Goals**
 * Learn about the culture, geography, and daily life of a Pompeian in 79A.D.
 * Learn about the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and how that eruption impacted the study of Ancient Rome
 * Experience what the eruption was like through translating portions of Pliny the Younger’s narrative
 * gain exposure to the archaeology methods used to excavate the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabia
 * Gain exposure to the geology and volcanology of Mt. Vesuvius and its pattern of eruption

Upon completion of the unit, students will be able to:
 * Objectives**
 * describe the basic geography of Pompeii
 * explain why Pompeii and Herculaneum were popular with the Romans
 * Translate selected portions of Pliny’s account of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius
 * Explain the stages of the eruption
 * Describe the archaeological methods used to excavate Pompeii
 * Explain the importance of the excavations in Pompeii, and argue which site they believe is the most important


 * Topics**

__Topic 1: Everyday in Pompeii__ In the days leading up to August 24, A.D. 79, Pompeii was a thriving seaside town. Nearby, the resort town of Herculaneum (supposedly founded by Hercules himself) is playing host to many Roman aristocrats escaping the heat of the city. For more information about these ancient cities, please read [|this Ancient.eu overview on life in Pompeii]. Pompeii would have been a bustling seaport, with its many gates filled with carts traveling from ports to storehouses and then to the Macellum (large market). The people of Pompeii would have woken up, eaten their spare breakfasts and headed off to work. In the mid afternoon, the city would slow down, as most of the residents would head to the baths to exercise, relax, and get clean. The bath house was open to all citizens – it did not matter if you were owned the largest, most sumptuous villa, or rented a room in the cheapest apartment building. Herculaneum would have been following a similar pattern, although many of its residents would have been vacationing, so the working hours would have been much shorter. For more information about life in Campania, I highly recommend [|Mary Beard’s A-Z of Life in Pompeii]. This article gives a fantastic overview of what was in the city and shows off some of the lesser-known parts of the city. Both of these towns were located in the province of Campania, known for its fertile volcanic soil, which produced highly regarded grapes and olives. This region is still known for its rich agriculture, which has now expanded to include lemons and oranges.

__Topic 2: Vesuvius Changes the Landscape__ On the morning of August 24, A.D. 79, life changed drastically for the Pompeians. The eruption was prefaced with a series of earthquakes. This was a somewhat common occurrence, so many Pompeians continued with their day as if nothing was going on. There were most likely some who looked towards the mountain loomed above the city, only to see smoke and ash pouring out of the top. The Romans did not have a word for a volcano, and more to the point, had no idea that Vesuvius was more than just a mountain. Please follow [|this timeline from the British Museum] that shows what was going on in the city and how the eruption was progressing throughout the day. This [|eyewitness to history site] gives an excellent description of what people were most likely thinking as the eruption progressed throughout the day and into the evening. Luckily, it seems as though most of the citizens were able to escape the worst of the destruction. They may have been acting on experience – in A.D. 62, a series of earthquakes ripped through the region. Many homes and businesses were destroyed by the earthquakes, and so people literally ran for the hills – to find safety from the collapsing buildings. Make sure you set aside time to watch the BBC movie [|Pompeii: The Last Day]. This movie is a wonderful combination of science, archaeology, and drama. You will see the lives of people in Pompeii, and what they were most likely doing when the eruption happened. The individuals featured in the movie are all based on the remains of people all over the city.

Several facts to keep in mind about the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius: - There was no lava, Pompeii was buried in ash, and Herculaneum by mud - The eruption of Vesuvius caused the entire landscape of the Bay of Naples to change – Pompeii, which was once a seaport, is now 2 km from the sea. - The deadliest event of the eruption was a pyroclastic flow, which superheats the air to over 300 degrees Celsius. National Geographic describes how the victims had [|“no time to suffocate”.]

The possibility of another eruption from Mt. Vesuvius is very real. Approximately 3 million people live at the base of the volcano, and would be in very real danger if it would begin to erupt. Nature magazine explains Italy’s plan in case [|Europe’s Ticking Time Bomb] chooses to go off.

__Topic 3: Pliny Describes the Eruption__ Pliny’s account of the eruption is one of the few eyewitness accounts to major events in the Roman empire to have survived. (Read through [|Pliny’s account] before you translate it to gain some familiarity with the letter.) During the eruption, Pliny the Younger (PY) is at the house of his uncle, Pliny the Elder (PE) in Misenum. PE was a soldier, lawyer, and writer. His most famous work was the Historia Naturalis, in which Pliny "describes in detail the physical nature of the world. It includes books on geography, anthropology, zoology, botany, and the medicinal uses of plants." (Pliny the Elder) His writings were treasured for centuries and became the basis of education for many future scholars. Most of his statements and theories have been proved false, but that has not diminished their impact! (I highly recommend perusing some of the chapters. [|Here is a translation].) PE served as the commander of the Roman fleet stationed in the Bay of Naples, which is why both Plinys were on hand to witness the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. According to PY's letters, PE died of asphyxiation (he may have had asthma) from inhaling the ash and smoke during the eruption. For more information about Pliny the Elder, please visit [|livius.org's biography.] Pliny the Younger was only 18 when the eruption occurred, and was the "adopted" son of his even-then famous uncle. Like his uncle, PY studied to become a lawyer, and his most famous contribution was his series of letters to the historian Tacitus. These letters addressed many facets of contemporary Roman life, "he discussed a variety of topics: some focused on recent political, literary or social news, some covered his domestic life, and others looked back at past events. The letters were carefully crafted, mixing philosophy and history with poetry." (Pliny the Younger) PY most likely died in the territory of Bithynia while investigating political corruption. For more information, see [|livius.org's article] on Pliny the Younger. Pliny’s account has been called into question many times, because it was written many years after the eruption occurred. Pliny’s letters depict himself as a surprisingly level-headed and mature young man, despite fleeing for his life and seeing his beloved uncle die in front of him.

Here is a reading and translation from Pliny's letter to Tacitus - You will need to open the zipped folder. If you want to read the excerpt, it is available in the powerpoint.



__Topic 4: Rediscovering Pompeii__ Once the ash had settled, the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae disappeared from view. As time passed, and even the Roman Empire faded into history, some began to believe that the cities were lost, or hadn't existed in the first place! These cities were rediscovered completely by accident - In 1709 a farmer found Herculaneum when he was digging a well, and Pompeii was stumbled upon by a group of explorer's, who believed they had found Stabiae. These archaeological sites changed hands many times throughout the years, and the methods they used to uncover the ancient cities have changed with them. (Check out this [|Rediscovery timeline] for more information.) When the cities were first found, the majority of recovered items were taken as personal prizes, or presented to the king. These items ranged from jewelry, to pottery, to household items, even to frescoes removed from the walls they were painted on. Luckily, times have changed, and the remains of Pompeii and Herculaneum are typically left in place, or are moved to a nearby museum to be studied. This [|slideshare] presents the methods, and their strengths and weaknesses, that have been used over the years. Unfortunately, many of the older techniques have made it very difficult for modern archaeologists to continue excavating. At this moment in time, the majority of sites are now focusing on conservation because funding has dried up, and some of the most famous finds (House of the Gladiators, Villa of the Mysteries, Villa of the Papyri) could fall apart before new excavations can begin. [|World Archaeology] published an article explaining some of the issues, as well as presenting some interesting new discoveries. These new finds present hope that Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae won’t be lost to time once again. Probably the most famous archaeological finds from Pompeii involved the plaster and resin casts of those who died during the eruption. While digging through the rubble, archaeologists often found pockets of air, seemingly randomly distributed around the city. These so-called pockets of air typically held skeletons, jewelry and everyday items that people would carry with them. In the 1860s, when one of these spaces was found, it was filled with plaster of Paris (later on, resin) to determine what had originally been there. When the plaster dried, the form of person who had lain there, including such details hairstyle, clothing length and type, and even their facial expression were all left behind. These casts are still extremely popular to see, many museums play host to traveling exhibits showcasing these forms. The casts of Pompeii have given more information to scientists than simply their final location. These casts and what has been found near them has given a much more in depth look into the everyday lives of Pompeiians. This article shows how [|modern CAT scans] and imaging techniques are helping to reveal more information about the life and health of the Pompeiians. A debate still continues about the treatment of these plaster casts, and how the skeletons and items inside should be treated. Read through this [|overview on the history of the casts], and decide for yourself!

__Additional Readings__ Chapter 12 culture section in Cambridge Latin Classics, Unit 1.
 * Assignments**

__Translation Portfolio:__ Selections from Pliny’s account of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius - This translation should be handwritten (Show your work! Be proud of your thought process!)
 * Assignments**

(podcast and accompanying powerpoint) This podcast explains the parallel between the beginning of Pliny's more in-depth description of the eruption and Aeneas' telling of the fall of Troy in "The Aeneid".

(podcast and accompanying powerpoint) This podcast gives some examples of how Pliny's letters would have sounded in Latin, and a translation of those excerpts.

For assistance with the translation, try the Cambridge Anthology - it will be of great help to you!

media type="file" key="Pliny translation directions.mp4" width="300" height="300"
 * How to use the Cambridge Anthology online translation:**

__Pompeii Packet__ Answer the questions pertaining to each article.

Pompeii Test – 65 points – 50 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer
 * Assessments**

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 * __ Other Resources: __**
 * Here's a breakdown of the Eruption **

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 * Where does all of this take place? **

Images Figure 1: Brown, K. J. T. (Photographer). (July, 2015). Pompeian Forum with Vesuvius in Background [Photograph]. Figure 2: Brown, K. J. T. (Photographer). (July, 2015). Vesuvian Vineyard [Photograph]. Figure 3: Volaire, P. (1777). The Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius [Painting]. Retrieved from []. Figure 4: Sauber, W. (Photographer). (July, 2006). Pliny the Younger on the Como Duomo [Photograph]. Figure 5: Brown, K. J. T. (Photographer). (July, 2015). Plaster cast of sitting man [Photograph].
 * Citations**

References PBS.org. (2006). Pliny the Elder. Retrieved from [] PBS.org. (2006). Pliny the Younger. Retrieved from [|http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire /pliny_younger.html]