History of Freedpeople and Pompeii Eruption

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Questions and Answers

What was the highest public honor available to freedpeople?

Voting in local elections

Owning land

Holding political office

Membership in the Augustales (correct)

What limitations did freedpeople face regarding citizenship rights?

They could neither vote nor hold political office.

They could only participate in local councils.

They could vote but not hold political office. (correct)

They could hold political office but not vote.

Who rebuilt the temple of Isis, and at what age?

Numerius Popidius Celsinus at age 6 (correct)

Phileros at age 8

Cornelius at age 12

Marcus at the age of 10

What societal stigma persisted towards freedpeople despite their new legal protections?

They were still considered infamis. Signup and view all the answers

What was a typical characteristic of the jobs that freedpeople were expected to perform?

Shameful jobs that paid well Signup and view all the answers

What is the commonly accepted date for the eruption that buried Pompeii?

August 24th, 79 CE Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the evidence suggests that the eruption may have occurred later than August?

Findings of pomegranates at the Villa of Oplontis Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the graffito found in Pompeii contributes to the debate on the eruption date?

It mentions a specific date of October 17th. Signup and view all the answers

What type of evidence challenges the August 24th eruption date the most?

Sealed storage jars filled with wine Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant piece of information about Pliny the Elder?

He authored the first historical account of the eruption. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the artifacts found in Pompeii?

Sealed jars filled with wine indicate autumn activities. Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion can be drawn from the conflicting evidence surrounding the eruption date?

There is growing evidence to support an October or November eruption. Signup and view all the answers

What commonly misunderstood aspect does the evidence about Pompeii's eruption highlight?

The timing of agricultural cycles in relation to historical events. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of pilae in the hypocaust system?

To support the raised floor Signup and view all the answers

Which room in the Stabian Baths is specifically designed for hot bathing?

Calidarium Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the function of the labrum in the baths?

It is a basin for washing Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of fornacatores in the Stabian Baths?

They were enslaved workers in charge of the furnace Signup and view all the answers

What type of frescoes were discovered in the Apodyterium D of the Suburban Baths?

Erotic frescoes Signup and view all the answers

During which festival do female sex workers make offerings to Venus?

Vinalia Signup and view all the answers

What title was Titus known by at the time of the eruption in 79 CE?

Father of the Fatherland Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of slavery in Pompeii, based on the discussed content?

It was a system of property ownership Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a Plinian eruption as described?

Explosive magmatic eruption Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT true about the cellae meretriciae in Pompeii?

They were unoccupied spaces without any sexual activities Signup and view all the answers

How fast was the pyroclastic flow that struck Herculaneum during the eruption?

Half the speed of sound Signup and view all the answers

What natural disaster occurred roughly 1,600-1,700 years before the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE?

Avellino Eruption Signup and view all the answers

What was the rate of ash and molten rock ejected by Mt. Vesuvius during the 79 CE eruption?

1,500,000 tons per second Signup and view all the answers

Which city was first struck by the pyroclastic cloud during the eruption?

Pompeii Signup and view all the answers

How many Plinian eruptions have occurred in the last 25,000 years at Mt. Vesuvius?

8 Signup and view all the answers

Which event did the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 1944 disrupt?

World War II Signup and view all the answers

What does the name 'Celadus' likely signify?

Roar of the crowd Signup and view all the answers

What does 'puparum dominus' refer to?

Master of the girls Signup and view all the answers

Why might indebted individuals choose to become gladiators?

For the chance of fame and fortune Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of the riot of 59 CE?

Games were banned for 10 years Signup and view all the answers

In the context of gladiators, which statement is true regarding their social status?

They achieved celebrity status, despite being slaves. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily characterizes textual sources regarding slavery in the Roman world?

They reflect the perspectives of elite male slaveholders. Signup and view all the answers

What do the graffiti from Pompeii suggest about the relationship between gladiators and their fans?

Fans celebrated gladiators' battles and victories. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect do archaeologists typically emphasize in their studies of slavery?

The luxurious lifestyle of elite spaces. Signup and view all the answers

In what way can historians unintentionally perpetuate silences about slavery?

By focusing primarily on the documented experiences of elite individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of a 'lanista' in the gladiatorial system?

A person who owned a gladiatorial school. Signup and view all the answers

After manumission, what obligations did freedmen and freedwomen have?

They had perpetual social obligations to their former dominus. Signup and view all the answers

What was one primary way individuals became enslaved in the Roman world?

As a result of being born into slavery. Signup and view all the answers

How did slaves disrupt the contexts of servitude according to recent perspectives?

By employing tactics to subvert the control of their masters. Signup and view all the answers

Which structures are considered functional, mundane spaces that may provide insights into slave life?

Kitchens, stable yards, and back doors. Signup and view all the answers

What was a common reason for individuals becoming gladiators in Roman society?

They were punished with slavery due to a crime. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Funerary Text of Dorcas suggest about her status?

She was born into slavery but held a special status as a hairdresser. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Pompeii & Herculaneum Overview

Pompeii and Herculaneum were Roman cities buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE.
Archaeological discoveries at these sites offer valuable insights into daily life in ancient Rome.
Images of human skeletal remains are included in the presentation materials.

Pompeii: Geography & Location

Pompeii is located in the region of Campania, Italy.
Situated near the Bay of Naples.
Pompeii was encircled by a circle of towns.
Maps show detailed plans of the buried city, with labeled structures.

Pompeii: Historical Overview

Early settlements existed at Pompeii before the Greek and Etruscan period.
Pompeii was a significant Roman town that became a Roman veterans colony.
Pompeii experienced several disruptions, including riots, economic booms based on events in Rome and a major earthquake.
A major volcanic eruption buried Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 CE.

Mount Vesuvius: Eruption of 79 CE

The eruption of AD 79 ejected large amounts of volcanic material.
The eruption resulted in pyroclastic flows of superheated gas, rock, ash, causing complete destruction.
Both Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried under volcanic ash and debris.
The eruption's dynamic overpressure map shows the impact zones around the Bay of Naples.
The speed of pyroclastic flows was estimated to be nearly the speed of sound.

Pompeii: Preservation & Recovery

The layers of volcanic material preserved the remains of the city.
Archaeological excavations have revealed buildings, artifacts, and even human remains.
The preservation methods include plaster casts used to fill in the empty spaces of the remains.
Current challenges include maintaining the site.

Pompeii: Additional Notes

Eye-witness accounts describe the eruption, but the precise timing is debated.
Some scholars propose an October/November eruption date based on agricultural evidence.
Findings of sealed wine jars indicate the harvesting season of grapes.
Graffiti provides additional context about daily life. 79 CE eruption date is based on eyewitness accounts, which are debated by some scholars.
Other factors impacting Pompeii’s state include modern-day issues such as human mismanagement, looting and tourist damage.
Excavations and discoveries at Pompeii and Herculaneum continue to provide insights into ancient Roman civilization.

Mount Vesuvius: A Brief History

Volcanism in the Bay of Naples started about 2 million years ago.
Mt. Somma has existed for 300,000 years.
Mt. Vesuvius is 25,000 years old.
There have been at least 8 Plinian Eruptions in the last 25,000 years.
A Plinian Eruption includes a massive tephra column, caused by gas and pyroclastic flows.
Vesuvius has had periods of dormancy, lasting between 1400 to 4000 years.
Many more eruptions happened after 1631, resulting in significant damage. These eruptions continued impacting the area frequently.
Vesuvius impacted the 1906 and 1944 Olympic games and WWII.

Roman Slavery: Overview

Roman slavery wasn’t based on ethnicity but on debt, war, piracy, etc.
Slaves in Roman society had different status and could perform various roles, often holding specialized skills or trades.
The status of a former slave and their descendants was an ongoing point of dispute and conflict.

Roman Slavery: In Pompeii's Brothel

Brothels in Pompeii were areas with enslaved sex workers.
They were organized into rooms and contained a latrine.
Historical evidence shows the existence of enslaved sex workers in Roman society.
Frescoes in the brothels were found.
Sources about slaves in brothels show they had little to no power or freedom.

Gladiators: Slaves with Status

Gladiators were mostly enslaved individuals.
Their social status, despite the fame, was limited due to their enslaved status and social standing.
They were popular figures, which impacted the Roman society.
Inscriptions show evidence of gladiators boasting of their victories.
Gladiatorial competition was a significant part of Roman culture and entertainment.

Other Threats to Pompeii

Natural events, such as heavy rains, can cause further damage to the already fragile remains of Pompeii.
Vandalism and looting pose threats to the site’s preservation.
Tourists might cause damage to the archaeological site.

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Description

Explore the challenges faced by freedpeople post-emancipation and the events surrounding the eruption of Pompeii. This quiz delves into both societal impacts and archaeological evidence, offering insights into historical events and their implications. Test your knowledge on these pivotal topics.