I was watching the history channel the other night and that had this episold on Pompei. It was really interesting because they unearthed the Roman city and it was just as it was when it was buried by soot and ash from Mt Vesuvius. They found that this was a resort city for the rich and famous of Roman Society. They found these frescos and wall paintings. What was revealed about Roman society was fascinating and often shocking. What was found was pictures of girls in bathing suits (surprisingly modern looking suits by the way) swimming in the sea. We also see pictures on the wall of a Roman Brothel showing couples in a variety of sex positions. It seems that Roman society was very open about sex. Sexual rituals surrounded major holidays. Romans loved orgies, engaging in festive acts of eating, drinking and sexual adventurism. Phalic symbols were used in religious rituals and as fertility symbols. Brothels were staffed with slave girls from througout the empire, from Britian to Syria and all points in between. Romans were also fond of sport. Their choice of sport was of a particularly brutal variety. In the central arean gladeators fought to the death. The participants in these bloody specticals were slaves, war captives, prisoners, Jews and Christians.

For the few very wealthy romans, life was one of convience. In wealthy estates, great halls existed. These houses were staffed by slaves. For the wealthy of Pompeii life was pleasant. All the same family honor was of great importance. The father of any roman house was the ruler. A father had the right to kill a rebellious son. In one instance a disobediant son left the household against the father's wishes to serve in the army. On his return the father killed the son.

My first expereince with Pompei was when I was 9, and I saw a book on "Venusians' and thought of the planet Venus. I was a disapointed 9 yearold when the book came in the mail.

After reading the book however, I was quite intrigued by it. There is such an amazing find in the civilization in Pompei.

I think what is probably most interesting about Roman culture is the fact that many 'westerners' would identify/link quite highly with the Romans, however the Romans were 'into' much of what we now consider illiticit or vice...

I have been to Pompeii and I would like to go back there again, next time I’d like to be there in April instead of June, it was really hot. The town covers at least twenty acres. Herculaneum is near by but even closer to the Mediterranean, and is another Roman town preserved by the Vesuvius eruption.

I had to carry lots of water. It’s on a hillside so the streets turn into large gutters when it rains. I reckon it’s a good thing as Romans basically peed where they stand. The streets are paved with large flat stones and some of them have deep groves worn into them from the passage of freight wagons. Many of the villas still have frescos painted on interior walls and or have ceramic tiles. They mixed cement and made slabs, used iron nail like spikes, and had clay pipes for running water. One place had a clay table in front, which has been reported to be a building permit issued by the local officials. Many places had small dug out basement rooms that must have been for escaping the heat for siesta.

I was most impressed by the two Coliseums that are there. You can explore them freely and I was wandering through the passages and wound up walking out into the center of the arena. A large iron ring is still staked down near the center for tying things up.

Wow , thats amazing, you would'nt happen to have any pictures would ya? (or was this before the digital age?)

Sounds gorgeous...

That's awesome, u8nxprt. I used to be (still am) amazed with the artifacts and frescos they found there, not to mention the casts of the bodies. If I ever had a chance to go I would like to visit Stabiae and Herculanuem on the NW face of Vesuvius. Most of all, Herculaneum just to see the massive swimming pool (or bath; depending on which historian you read) that was uncovered.

There is a tremendous bathhouse that was unearthed at Bath Spa in the UK. It's about a hundred miles South West of London, another great place to see a huge array of large pools.

The Romans were really into Bathhouses...

Manu, yup I have photos that I can scan. I'll have to dig through them. Digital cameras were available though weak when I went and besides, I like to limit my luggage when I travel. The latest round of cameras are comparable to 35mm.

i just watched something on tv too but i don't think it was the same special as criminal...but i was amazed by the molds they made of the people to show what their state of mind was when the volcano erupted and the ash covered them. i would also like to see the pictures since i know that i will not make it over there any time soon.

It is such a sad story...

The town of Herculaneum revealed many skeletons. Many of the town’s peoples escaped via the sea, but alas many more were left behind. They gathered in boat shelters, huddled and frightened. It is so sad to see skeletons clutching one another. Imagine the terror that was going through their minds...

This is also visible in Pompeii. Mothers are shielding children. Husband and wife hold hands while shielding their face from the poisonous gases in the air. The pyroplastic cloud killed them all in the end, though.

Also visible in Pompeii is graffiti. I remember reading of sayings such as "So-and-so was here in this date". One professor of mine said he saw one there that said "(name) took a crap here, (date)". Funny how the Romans thought like we do.

I have read many books on the subject and look forward to the day when I can visit.


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Odysseus

Originally posted by Odysseus
It is such a sad story...

The town of Herculaneum revealed many skeletons. Many of the town’s peoples escaped via the sea, but alas many more were left behind. They gathered in boat shelters, huddled and frightened. It is so sad to see skeletons clutching one another. Imagine the terror that was going through their minds...

This is also visible in Pompeii. Mothers are shielding children. Husband and wife hold hands while shielding their face from the poisonous gases in the air. The pyroplastic cloud killed them all in the end, though.

Also visible in Pompeii is graffiti. I remember reading of sayings such as "So-and-so was here in this date". One professor of mine said he saw one there that said "(name) took a crap here, (date)". Funny how the Romans thought like we do.

I have read many books on the subject and look forward to the day when I can visit.


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Odysseus
Oh yea, the Romans did indeed have humor. They had political gossip mills and smear campaigns. One piece of graffiti said about one candidate for public office that if he is elected his mother will take very good care of the public money.

I do agree that it was very tragic that all of those people died. Even if it happened so long ago it was very sad.