Geography and Eruption of Campania

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Questions and Answers

Which geographical feature is NOT mentioned as bordering Pompeii?

The shores of Surrentum and Stabiae

The open sea (correct)

The Sarno River

The slopes of Mount Vesuvius

What was a key strategic advantage of Pompeii's location?

The presence of fertile volcanic soil ideal for agriculture and grape growing.

Its access to warm springs and shell fish.

Its location on trade routes connecting north and south. (correct)

Its proximity to the fertile agricultural region.

What is the primary focus of the description of Campania by Pliny the Elder?

The region's diverse aquaculture and seafood stocks.

The region's historical significance and ancient monuments

The region's wine production and agricultural abundance. (correct)

The region’s geographical features and volcanic activity.

Which of the following mountains is NOT mentioned in Pliny's description of Campania?

Mount Vesuvius Signup and view all the answers

Who or what was believed to have particularly favored the slopes of Mount Vesuvius?

Venus, goddess of Love Signup and view all the answers

Which product does the text NOT explicitly mention as being produced in or near Pompeii or Campania?

Olive Oil Signup and view all the answers

Which author described Pompeii and its surrounding bay as a 'pleasant bay'?

Seneca Signup and view all the answers

The text implies that a notable change occurred at Vesuvius, what was it?

It changed from an area covered in vines to a barren, desolate landscape. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary function of the Macellum in Pompeii?

A specialized market for meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main ingredient in Garum, a popular condiment in Pompeii?

Fermented mackerel, sometimes with tuna, and salt. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the 'Mensa Ponderaria' located in Pompeii's Forum?

A weights and measures system used to ensure accurate produce sales. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the 'Comitium' in Pompeii?

An open-air hall used as a polling station for public office elections. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary function of the 'Building of Eumachia'?

A possible wool market with inscriptions related to cloth manufacturing. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of 'thermopolium' in Pompeii and Herculaneum?

Hot food shops where people would get meals. Signup and view all the answers

What feature was primarily used for running water in Pompeii and Herculaneum?

The Aqua Augustus, a series of Aqueducts. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the 'Lupanares' found in Pompeii?

Brothels where men would pay for sex. Signup and view all the answers

What type of bread was preserved from Herculaneum due to the pyroclastic surge?

Carbonised bread. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Stola' in reference to Roman clothing?

A simple dress worn over the top on the tunica, secured with buttons. Signup and view all the answers

How did the design of streets in Pompeii and Herculaneum reflect the culture?

Diverts in the ground, columns, and volcanic rock road surfaces were common. Signup and view all the answers

What was a common characteristic of bakeries in Pompeii?

Large stone flour mills made from volcanic rock and large ovens. Signup and view all the answers

What was a common religious symbol to be found within frescos?

Snakes considered a household god. Signup and view all the answers

What type of clothing was a 'Toga'?

A regular dress worn by Roman citizens. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Temple of Vespasian dedicated to?

The presiding emperor of that time. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant aspect of religious practice in Pompeii and Herculaneum?

The integration of religion into social and political life. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a typical practice in the worship of gods in Pompeii and Herculaneum?

Singing hymns in unison every day. Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of 'lares' in a Roman household?

They were household deities believed to protect the family. Signup and view all the answers

Which deity was specifically associated with the male lineage?

Genius Signup and view all the answers

What was the key function of the 'penates' in the Roman household?

Protecting the food store and presiding at mealtimes. Signup and view all the answers

What was the major benefit of membership in the Augustales?

It allowed wealthy freedmen to advance in public office. Signup and view all the answers

Where were most of the tombs and inscriptions of Pompeii's residents primarily located?

In cemeteries located outside the city gates. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of the inscriptions found on the tombs in Pompeii?

They are a reflection of the tomb owners' desires and may be biased. Signup and view all the answers

What does recent archaeological work by Andrew Wallace-Hadrill suggest about the artefacts found in Pompeian houses?

They may not accurately reflect the current wealth at the time of the eruption as they could be inherited or accumulated over time. Signup and view all the answers

According to recent interpretations, what is Pompeii considered more likely to have been, in economic terms?

A consumer city where the wealthy elite consumed goods. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of using CT scans on the plaster casts of Pompeii victims?

It allows the analysis of the victims' health and cause of death. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of photo mosaics created for the Via dell' Abbondanza?

To record the current condition of the façades and assist conservators. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key benefit of creating 3D models of ancient Roman sites such as the Villa of Poppaea?

They allow for the accurate recording and digital preservation of the sites for further study. Signup and view all the answers

What significant event caused the need for plaster casts of victims?

The ash fall phase of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Signup and view all the answers

What is a main consideration concerning the excavation of archaeological sites?

The need for conservation to be built into any archaeological project from the initial assessment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the study of the arrangement of layers of volcanic ash?

Stratigraphic Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a direct cause of death related to the Mount Vesuvius eruption, as understood from the text?

Dehydration Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between a pyroclastic surge and a pyroclastic flow?

Surges are low density and faster Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a limitation of Pliny the Younger's account as a historical source?

It was written many years after the event. Signup and view all the answers

What evidence suggests the eruption of Mount Vesuvius happened during the summer?

Discovery of summer-flowering herbs and deciduous leaves Signup and view all the answers

What was Giuseppe Fiorelli's significant contribution to the excavation methodology at Pompeii?

He developed a system of numbering, naming areas and creating casts of bodies. Signup and view all the answers

Which option best describes the impact of Vittorio Spinazzola’s work in Pompeii?

He excavated and reconstructed the main street, the Via dell’ Abbondanza, which included shops. Signup and view all the answers

What was a major challenge faced during Amedeo Maiuri's time as director of excavations at Pompeii?

Major damage to the site due to Allied bombing during the Second World War. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Mensa ponderaria in the Forum of Pompeii?

It played a role for officials to ensure the accuracy of weights and measures. Signup and view all the answers

What did Italian researchers initially believe caused the death of 300 bodies found near the beach, before theories changed?

Suffocation. Signup and view all the answers

Which director had the most destructive effect on archaeological finds during the early excavations of Pompeii?

Rocco Gioacchino de Alcubierre Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided text, who was Pliny the Elder?

An admiral of the fleet Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a volcanic hazard associated with the AD79 eruption of Vesuvius?

Lava flow Signup and view all the answers

What evidence suggests that the eruption of AD79 happened in the summer?

The discovery of deciduous leaves and summer-flowering herbs. Signup and view all the answers

What did Pliny the Younger omit in his letters about the volcanic eruption?

The exact date of the eruption Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Geographical Setting and Natural Features of Campania

Pompeii was situated on a volcanic plateau, spanning over 66 hectares, between the Sarno River and Mount Vesuvius.
Its location facilitated trade, connecting the north and south, and the sea to inland agricultural areas.
Pliny the Elder described Campania as a region blessed with fertile vineyards and renowned wines, such as Setine, Caecuban, Falernum, and Calenum.
Pliny the Elder also highlighted the region's warm springs, shellfish, and fine fish.
Martial, in his epigrams, portrayed Vesuvius as a desirable location favoured by the gods of wine and Venus.

The Eruption of AD 79 and its Impact

The eruption of Vesuvius occurred on August 24-25, 79 AD.
Pliny the Younger, writing to Tacitus, offered an eyewitness account of the eruption.
Pliny the Younger's account, though valuable, lacks the year of the eruption in his letters.
Sources indicate a range of causes of death at Pompeii and Herculaneum, including asphyxiation, falling debris, and thermal shock.
Pliny The Younger's account is valuable and detailed, but contemporary sources are important for understanding the event.
Initial reactions of those caught in the eruption determined their survival.
600 died when roofs collapsed.
The remains of 300 people found near the beach were initially thought to have died from suffocation but are now believed to have died from thermal shock.
A 500 *C hot surge immediately killed Herculaneum residents.

Excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum

Excavations began in 1748 under the direction of Charles III and Rocco Gioacchino de Alcubierre, though with limited archaeological method and context.
Giuseppe Fiorelli established a uniform system for numbering and naming buildings, started plaster casting methods, systematically excavated from west to east, and recorded artifacts.
Vittorio Spinazzola excavated the Via dell'Abbondanza, attempting to reconstruct buildings and was forced to retire due to political changes.
Amedeo Maiuri continued excavations, contributing to the understanding of the site and faced challenges due to WWII and conflict.

Pompeii: Structure and Function

The Forum was the central focus of Pompeii, paved in grey tufa.
It included the Temple of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, the Basilica, the suggestum, the Mensa ponderaria, the Temple of Apollo, and the forum holitorium (food market).
The Forum also features the Macellum (meat and fish market), the Temple of the Public Lares, the Temple of Vespasian, the Building of Eumachia, and the Comitium.

Pompeii: Commerce and Trade

The Macellum was a central market for fish, meat, fruit, and vegetables.
Garum, a fish sauce produced in Pompeii, was a significant commodity.
Scarus was a prominent garum manufacturer accounting for approximately 30% of Pompeiian garum.
Thermopoliums (hot food shops) were common in Pompeii due to the lack of kitchens in most households.
Examples like the Thermopolium of the Phoenix (or Lararium) illustrate culinary habits.
Bakeries were present, with examples of stone mills and ovens, such as the Bakery of Modestus.

The examination of Pompeiian houses once suggested social status based on decorations.
However, later studies, like Andrew Wallace-Hadrill's research, questioned this methodology, instead highlighting the multifaceted impact of inheritance and accumulation over time.
Population estimates based solely on house size were inaccurate due to varying household sizes.

Pompeii: Water Supply and Religion

The Aqua Augusta, a public water project under Emperor Augustus, brought water to major towns.
Religious practices were integrated into Pompeii and Herculaneum's civic life.
Temples demonstrated the importance of worship, offerings, and festivals.
Domestic hearths were vital centers for family rituals. Household gods like the Lares, genius, and penates were involved.

Pompeii: Imperial Cult and Tombs

The imperial cult and the Augustales were important elements in social life.
The presence of temples like Fortuna Augusta and Vespasian show aspects of this cult.
Tombs and inscriptions outside Pompeii's city gates provided insight into burial rites.

Impact of New Research and Techniques

Current methods include conservation from initial assessments and responsibility to the public.
Technological advances, like CT (CAT) scanning, enhance the study of victims, allowing insights into health and injuries.
Digital photography and 3D modeling are used for site analysis, as exemplified by the Via dell'Abbondanza and Villa of Poppaea projects.
Increased use of specialists and high-tech tools significantly contribute to a better understanding of Pompeian and Herculaneum remains.

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Description

Explore the geographical setting and natural features of Campania, including its fertile lands and trade routes. Learn about the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD through the eyewitness accounts of Pliny the Younger. This quiz covers the historical context and environmental significance of the region.