Italy (Campagnia)
Pompeii
After a two decade gap, we have again visited the excavations at Pompeii. Once in April 1999 when we were staying in Rome, and several times in March 2000 while staying in Castlemare de Stabia. The most recent visit was a day trip from Naples in October 2002. This time, we were able to see the artwork at the recently excavated Suburban Baths. During the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., Pompeii was buried in ash. At the same time Herculaneum (Ercolano) was buried in the pyroclastic flow. Because of this disaster, today's archeologists have uncovered many well-preserved homes, shops and other buildings. This gives us a good idea of what the day-to-day life was for the citizens of Pompeii nearly two thousand years ago. The 2002 photos were taken with a digital Sony Mavica CD-300. They are reduced in resolution to speed up loading. The earlier photos were taken with Canon Rebel EOS. Click on the thumbnails to see larger versions of the photographs. Then use your browser's "back" button to return to this page. To return to main index, click here. |
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October 2002 |
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Recently excavated Suburban Baths. |
The changing room at the Suburban Baths. The wooden shelves for clothing are long gone, but the Roman numerals identifying the "locker" number remain. |
Mosaic in the Suburban Baths. |
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Temple ruins with Mount Vesuvius in the background. |
Above the "locker" numbers were a series of "picture menus" advertising available services at the lupinere (brothel) on the floor above. |
As always, there seems to be no shortage of delicious citris fruit grown in the area's volcanic soil. |
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Temple of Isis. |
One of the rooms at the Suburban Baths. |
Residential artium. |
"Cauda cana" mosaic in home entranceway. |
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March 2000 |
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![]() Studying a city plan with Mount Vesuvius looming in the background. |
![]() There are plenty of vendors outside the entrance to the excavations. |
![]() ![]() Two views of the same house atrium. |
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Some of the art of Pompeii. |
![]() Picture menu at lupinere (brothel). |
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Murals of the Villa of Mysteries. |
![]() Small theatre. |
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March 1999 |
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Some of the art of Pompeii
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The arena. |
![]() American college students amused by an ancient household god. |