POMPEII was an ancient city in Italy that disappeared after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. For hundreds of years the city lay buried under cinders, ashes, and stone. Since Pompeii has been rediscovered, much has been learned about its history. Each year excavations bring forth additional bits of ancient art and architecture. Much also has been learned about the everyday life of the ancient Romans, and about their manners and customs.

Pompeii was built in the form of an oval about 2 miles (3 kilometers) around. A great wall with eight gates surrounded the city. The streets crossed each other at right angles, and were paved with blocks of lava. Ancient wheel ruts may still be seen in the pavements. In the center of the city was the open square, or forum. It was surrounded by a group of important buildings. There were also two theaters, a gladiators court, many temples, and several large public baths.

Pompeii carried on a prosperous trade in wine, oil, and breadstuffs. It was a market for the produce of a rich countryside, and its port had wide connections in the Mediterranean area. Pompeii was also an industrial center, and produced certain specialties, such as millstone, fish sauce, perfumes, and cloth. Its inhabitants included wealthy landowners, prosperous merchants and manufacturers, shopkeepers, artisans, and slaves.

Earthquakes in A.D. 63 damaged Pompeii, Naples, and Herculaneum. Statues fell, columns were broken, and some buildings collapsed. Mount Vesuvius rumbled at this time. However, the people did not believe there would be more danger, and they repaired their cities. In the summer of A.D. 79, Vesuvius erupted suddenly and with great violence. Streams of lava and mud poured into Herculaneum, and filled the town and its harbor.

Hot ashes, stones, and cinders rained down on Pompeii. The darkened air was filled with poisonous gas and fumes.

The remains of about 2,000 victims out of a population of about 20,000 have been found in excavations at Pompeii. Some of the victims were trapped in their homes and killed by hot ashes. Others breathed the poisonous fumes and died as they fled. Archaeologists find the shells (molds) of the bodies preserved in the hardened ash. By carefully pouring plaster into the shells, they can make a detailed copy of the individual, even the expression of agony on his face.

Rather than the lava, showers of hot, wet ashes and cinders sprayed Pompeii. When these dried, they covered and sealed up much of the city. Only the tops of walls and columns emerged from the waste. Survivors dug out valuables they had left behind, and even took statues, marbles, and bronzes. But later eruptions and erosion erased the last traces of the city.

From The World Book Encyclopedia
Volume15-P, pgs.577-578
© 1984, USA, World Book, Inc.