Pompilina in Pompeii
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| Pompeii: ancient Roman City that was destroyed by the eruption of volcano Vesuvio in 79 AD and covered with 20 feet of volcanic rock till the late 17th century when excavations began. |
Oh, I should note, if all goes along to plan with my computer uploading pictures, this blog will have ancient Roman sexual nudity for all sensitive viewers. On that note, it doesn't surprise me that nudity is viewed as something normal here because of so many ancient nude sculptures, paintings and the constant reminder that ancient Romans loved penis symbols for good luck and prosperity.
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| Penis symbol very largely engraved on a stone on one of the main roads |
Back to Pompeii. We went to Pompeii on a lovely sunny day. Pompeii is a complete Roman city that was thriving for centuries. It was like the Las Vegas for Romans in the heart of Campania, next to the Gulf of Naples and with a killer view of Mount Vesuvio. The people of Pompeii did so many things that we in the modern western world do now. They had a version of fast food, political campain signs, a court house, lawyers, surgeons, the spa, legally accepted prostitutes, the gym, paved roads, home decor was important, vineyards, the theater, and even pets. I am sure I am missing something that I know. Oh! They had laundry facilities. I loved walking in Pompeii, in a town over 2000 years old and so intact and seeing how the people lived then in a way so similar to modern life now. Let's take a look (if my pictures will load).
Fast Food
Outside of the Roman forum are a series of homes with doorways that show empty barrels. These once held lentils, fruits, oil and beans that the lawyers and people passing could pick up after work. The Romans then ate only once a day in the evening after all of the activities were finished. I cant imagine skipping my coffee in the morning and having to wait till 6 PM to eat.
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| These holes were like grills with fire burning below. On top there would be kettles full of food for sale. |
Political Campaign Signs
An archivist I know at Pompeii told me that these signs were not to say what the business was but rather they were painted signs for the political campaign that year. What did the politician promise? Bread to everyone. Not bad if you think about it. No one goes hungry is a good promise. Mitt Romney will have to get on that when he gets into office.
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| Vote for Mr. Bread: he promises food! |
Court House (forum)
I just found out that Italy still has some Roman rites in their law. I can't imagine studying to be a lawyer in Italy and having to learn thousands of years of history and laws. Ug! The idea of taxes came from Romans, also judges, magistrates and of jail bonds. Nice job!
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| Rufus Rex by the court |
Surgeons
There is the surgeons house close to the main entrance of the city. This guy was responsible for cutting open any imminently sick people. One thing I like about Romans though is that they were pretty healthy: they bathed, disposed of their feces in a particular place, washed with a bidet (it prevents so many diseases), drank wine (good for blood pressure) and went to the spa and exercised.
The Spa
I loved the Roman Spa in Pompeii. There are about 7 rooms each with a different purpose. The walls are built in layers where between each layer there was a space to allow hot air from boiling water to heat the room. One room was for men and another for women. The long benches around each rooms allowed the people to sit and soak in the water. There were even little cubby holes above in the womens room so they could stick their Coach purse or whatever they had in there. The Roman's slaves would begin the morning early by boiling water and that water would mix with local mineral water. Each room had a different type and temperature of water too. Right fancy, huh?
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| Place to soak the toes |
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| The ladies room had a blue, red and yellow tile floor that was presumably the bottom of the warm pool. How pretty it must have looked! |
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| Bird border around the ladies steam room |
Prostitutes
Outside of the Spa we find the hookers. Street walking didn't occur in Pompeii because there was the Luminarium, or Little Whore House. This was the place where, presumably Roman slaves, worked as prostitutes. There are 7 small rooms, the size of a bathroom, with stone beds where they would have sex. In the main cooridor between the rooms there are a series of paintings showing sexual positions. Most of the slaves didn't speak the same language as the Romans since they were from other countries, so legend has it that the men would point to the painting, like a McDonalds Meal; showing what combo he wanted and that is what he would get. "I would like a number 7 Big Mac with small fries and a chocolate milkshake" It was just that easy.
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| The business room |
The Gym
The Pallestrum was the gym where dudes would work out. Most of the guys exercising had a good reason to get buff: they were gladiators and needed to be strong to survive. Not far from the pallestrum was the coliseum where they fought lions, tigers and bears. Poor guys. I can't imagine having to fight a hungry annoyed lion.
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| Where men fought beasts and other men |
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| Behold, Italian high-schoolers all dressed in jeans and t-shirts as they think American teens dress. Thank you, Youtube for your influence. |
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| Let the social games begin! |
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| Behold, American art students. Some dressed like neurotic prostitutes, as they think "Europeans" dress. Thank you, Youtube. |
Paved Roads
All roads in Pompeii are paved with large stones. The main road has even tire marks from the wheels that passed through. There are also raised sidewalks on the side for pedestrians. I would be happy if my taxes went to paying for more good sidewalks were kids could ride their bikes and moms could push the stroller/ pram / buggy.
Home Decor
Ethan Allen and Pottery Barn have nothing on Pompeii Posh. The homes here were painted with frescos. Fresco means fresh and the homes were immediately painted as the walls were freshly made and still humid. This retained the pigment from the paint. Famous Pompeii colors are a type of red and yellow that cannot be reproduced.
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| A mural of what a house would have looked like then |
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| The famous red and yellow of Pompeii that cant be reproduced |
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| The roof had a center open area that would let the water fall in and collect |
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| This is where the water would collect |
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| Painted murals inside rich mens homes |
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| I love this border |
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| The elephant in the room demonstates how Romans were able to bring animals from Africa and other far places. |
Vineyards
Excavators found strait lined roots of vines from a vineyard and planted new vines directly on top of them. These vine are now growing and are used to make a unique and special wine.
Theater
The Romans got the idea of theater from the Greeks. We all love to be entertained and I think the theater is an excellent idea. There were even props and backgrounds as the Romans set up a place for fire, smoke and water to come out behind the set.
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| Teatro magiore |
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| The stairs are similar to stadiums we see now |
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| The backdrop where smoke, fire and props were managed |
Pets
Dogs were an integral part of the homes of the rich.
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| Dog mosaic showing that a very special and loved dog lived in that house |
There are many loose pups in Pompeii today that are up for adoption. I think it would be so cool to say you got your dog from Pompeii. All of the pups I saw were calm, gentle and sweet.
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| Meet Daisy, she likes to hang out by the spa |
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| I would do the same thing in a field of daisies if I were a Miss Daisy of Pompeii |
Laundry Facilities
At the end of the day we all have dirty clothes. How did they keep their white bright back in Pompeii. I gag to even think about it: human urine. Yes, pee has ammonia that was used to wash the brilliant white of the rich men of Pomeii. I wonder if the laundry facility could also be used as an emergency public restroom? What if you found yourself in a You're-a-peein' (European) experience dancing around and not wanting to spend 1 euro on a coffee so you could use the coffee shops bathroom. With no public bathroom in sight would it be ok to run in the laundry facility and go potty?
Nature in Pompeii
While we were wandering around discovering things I saw so many beautiful things from nature that made me think that though this town was killed and is now dead the miracle of life in nature always prevails to keep living every day.
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