The resonant ruins of Pompeii are perhaps the most direct route back to the living, breathing world of the ancient Romans. Two million visitors annually now walk the paved streets which re-emerged, miraculously preserved, from their layers of volcanic ash. Yet for all the fame and unique importance of the site, there is a surprising lack of a handy archaeological guide in English to reveal and explain its public spaces and private residences. This compact and user-friendly handbook, written by an expert in the field, helpfully fills that gap. Illustrated throughout with maps, plans, diagrams and other images, Pompeii: An Archaeological Guide offers a general introduction to the doomed city followed by an authoritative summary and survey of the buildings, artefacts and paintings themselves. The result is an unrivalled picture, derived from an intimate knowledge of Roman archaeology around the Bay of Naples, of the forum, temples, brothels, bath-houses, bakeries, gymnasia, amphitheatre, necropolis and other site buildings including perennial favourites like the House of the Faun, named after its celebrated dancing satyr.
Author(s): Paul Wilkinson
Edition: 1st
Publisher: I.B. Tauris & Co. Ltd.
Year: 2017
Language: English
Pages: 256
City: London
Tags: History / Ancient / Greece; Pompeii (Extinct city) -- Guidebooks; Italy -- Pompeii (Extinct city); Electronic books; Guidebooks;
How to Use this Guide vii
Visiting Pompeii x
A Brief History
Timeline 3
Introduction 7
1 The Fateful Day 21
2 The Eruption 47
3 The Story Unfolds 63
THe Guide
Suburban Baths 87
Imperial Villa / Marine Gate 90
Temple of Venus 92
Temple of Apollo 94
Forum 98
Basilica 101
Civil Offices 102
Temple of Jupiter 103
Temple of Vespasian 106
Sanctuary of City Lares 109
Macellum 110
Building of Eumachia 112
Forum Holitorium 115
Temple of Fortuna Augusta 116
Baths of Pompeii 118
Forum Baths 120
House of the Faun 125
House of the Vettii 134
Central Baths 138
Bakery of Popidius Priscus 139
Brothel 141
Stabian Baths 143
Theatre District 148
Samnite Gymnasium 151
Temple of Isis 152
Temple of Jupiter Meilichios 154
Theatres 154
Fullery of Stephanus 159
House of Loreius Tiburtinus 161
House of Venus in the Sea Shell 164
Palaestra 169
Amphitheatre 169
Nuceria Gate Tombs 173
Villa of the Mysteries 175
Tombs outside the Herculaneum Gate 179
Villa of Diomedes 188
House of Menander 192
House of the Tragic Poet 196
House of the Silver Wedding 200
Praedia of Julia Felix 204
Glossary 209
Further Reading 218
Bibliography 219
List of Illustrations 224
Index 227
