Pompeii

Last night we woke to very active lightning and thunder and pouring rain. Glad we were safe in our bed.

We were up early to go to the bus for our Pompeii tour. It rained off and on. Glad we had our waterproof jackets!

In Pompeii the weather mostly cooperated. We had an amazing guide, who is a restoration specialist and has been working in the ruins for decades. Her family has been in Pompei for centuries. She was so articulate and informative. So greatful to be able to see Pompei again.

Pompei existed for 700 years prior to the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD. In 62 AD a major earthquake damaged Pompei, and some of the areas, such as the temples to the various gods, were still under reconstruction when the eruption occurred.

After the earthquake, it was believed that many left the town, leaving around 10, 000 still living there. It is thought that roughly half of those were able to escape the volcanic ash.

The ash is 20 to 25 feet above street level. Pompei was a busy port, with lots of ships off loading goods for Rome. The harbour was filled with ash by the eruption, and the Bay of Naples is now about 2 K from the ruins.

As a major trading hub, there were all sorts of eating places, brothels, and other stores that the seamen would visit. It was a wealthy town, and many beautiful houses had been built by those who profited by the trading.

The townsfolk had entertainment with gladiators at the theatres, communal spas, and theatre performances.

Pompei is a major archeological site that has revealed amazing details about the people who lived there. Because it was engulfed by ash rather than magma, it's been a treasure trove of archeological finds as so many things were found intact.Read more