Pompeii and Herculaneum The Physical environment

1. Pompeii and HerculaneumThe Physical environment Resources Geographic Setting Natural Features

2. Geographic Setting Pompeii and Herculaneum are located in Campania, a fertile region 200km south of Rome. The towns are both on the coast of the Bay of Naples. Known for its many bays and inlets including Misenum the home of the Roman fleet. Pompeii is located on the River Sarnus and lies inland from the coast. Herculaneum is on a cliff face directly overlooking the bay. Both towns have elevated positions, being built on volcanic spurs enabling both to catch sea breezes. Rising between both towns is the volcano Mt Vesuvius that dominates the sky line. Salt pans are located near Herculaneum, as are thermal pools.

3. Resources Pompeii and Herculaneum had many resources. Mineral Resources included the salt pans of Herculaneum, the pumice stones used for paving roads and mill stones in both towns and the soil rich with potassium and potash from previous volcanic activity. This made the soil fertile and moisture retaining. Animal resources included sheep and goats in particular as used in the cloth industry and abundant sea life especially important for the fishing village of Herculaneum and the Garum producing town of Pompeii. Vegetable resources included olives, grapes, wheat, various fruits such as peaches and figs.

4. Natural Features Pompeii and Herculaneum have two main seasons being very mild winters and dry summers. Houses were designed to capture the sea breezes to ensure mild temperatures during Summer and the properties of the volcanic soil ensured that moisture was retained. The elevated position of both towns ensured that these breezes could reach the occupants of the towns. Pompeii and Herculaneum were often used as resort towns by the Romans who wished to visit the region for recreational purposes.

5. “Of everything not just in Italy, but in the whole world, the region of Campania is the most beautiful. Nothing is more temperate than its climate: indeed, its spring flowers blossom twice. Nothing is more fertile than its land: consequently there is said to be a competition between Liber (god of fertility) and Ceres (god of wine). Nothing is more welcoming than its sea…Here are the mountains that befriend the vine…” Florus was a Roman author living in the second century BC who wrote about the region of Campania of which Pompeii and Herculaneum were a part. In this description he refers to the climate, geography and resources of the region in a very complimentary fashion Florus, Epitome 1.16

6. Map of the Region • This map illustrates the dominating presence of the volcano Mt Vesuvius in the region. • It illustrates the relative position of Herculaneum and Pompeii to the volcano. • Herculaneum’s direct coastal location is illustrated as is Pompeii on the Sarno River.

7. Painting of Bacchus and Vesuvius from Pompeii • This fresco located in a house in Pompeii shows Bacchus the god of wine standing near an ancient depiction of Vesuvius showing its appearance in antiquity. • The fresco may also be indicating that grapes for wine making were grown on its slopes.

8. Aerial Photograph of Pompeii • This picture illustrates the flat elevated layout of Pompeii surrounded by a wall. • It also shows the inland nature of this city with the River Sarnus flowing on its far right hand side.

9. Photograph of a Street in Pompeii • This street in Pompeii indicates the use of pumice for paving roads and creating stepping stones. • Pumice was also used for mills for grinding wheat and olives.

10. Mosaic of sea and bird life in the House of the Faun Pompeii • This mosaic illustrates the fish and ducks that were available in the region. In the centre is a piece from an olive tree also indicating a vegetable resource of the region.

11. Remains from a rubbish pit in Pompeii • These organic remains from a rubbish pit in Pompeii provide information on the fruit that was grown as well as sea resources of the two towns. • From top right there are grape pips, fig pips, fish bones and a sea anemone shell.

12. Impluvium at the House of Marcus Lucretius Fronto in Pompeii • Impluviums were common features in grand Pompeii homes. They were located in the entry way with an open roof. • Water would collect in the pool and the breeze would blow over it to create an evaporative cooling system. • This indicates both the warm summers and sea breezes that were features of the region.

13. Digital reconstruction of Herculaneum • This digital reconstruction is also supported by photographs of the town where a solid wall separates the raised town of Herculaneum from the boatsheds which were located at the base of the cliffs on the beach front. • Due to the eruption the water is now further from the town due to volcanic deposits in the eruption. • This digital reconstruction, however, enables one to view the layout of the town as it would have existed in 79ad.