Ojemba: Ruins of Pompeii

We arrived in Rome on Monday, the first day of the 2015 holy week. On Tuesday, our first full day, we took a day trip to Pompeii.

Pompeii
Totally destroyed by the earthquake in 62 AD, then the volcanic eruption of mount Vesuvius in AD 79, the preserved ruins of Pompeii tells us how the Romans lived more than 2000 years ago. It is indeed tragic to see how the whole city was wiped out, and to see that the modern city of Pompeii is even closer to the mountain is stunning.

The earthquake hit Pompeii on February 5, 62 AD. The residents of Pompeii started rebuilding all that had been destroyed. When the people were in the middle of their work, in 79 AD, Vesuvius erupted, covering the the city with 4-6 meters of ash. At the time of the eruption, the city had about 11,000 residents and the city had a water system, an amphitheater, a gymnasium and a port. The ash that fell from the volcano completely covered the city and that is how we know what we know today.

Plaster Casts of people buried by the volcanic ash

The excavators found the citizens of Pompeii inside hardening shells of volcanic ash. the bodies had almost crumbled away, and all that was left was a hollow space. The scientists poured plaster inside it and left it to harden. We were left with a very detailed cast of what the person looked like. We are able to see the folds of clothing, the facial expressions, and the way the person was positioned.

Resting on a hill at one of the gates of Pompeii

Mt. Vesuvius in the distance

A well preserved room with frescoes

Another room with frescoes

Almost all rooms in Pompeii were decorated with elaborate frescoes. The frescoes depict what the room was used for, or simply just to decorate. The room above was decorated with pictures of the Mars, the god of war, and Mercury, the god of thieves, and travelers.