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The Beauty & Destruction of Pompeii

The infamous, ancient city of Pompeii has been hidden under Mount Vesuvius’ ash and rock since 79AD. The volcano’s destruction preserved the city’s color and culture, and everyday archeologists are undercovering more. Home and villas were elaborately decorated with frescos, fountains, and mosaic-tiled flooring. The city was once bustling with both the wealthy and enslaved and had bathhouses, brothels, cafes, taverns, a theatre, and a 20,000 seat arena. With all the beauty that has been revealed and is on display, there is an eeriness in the air seeing the plastered victims and the volcano looming over waiting for its next eruption.

There is a lot to see, and each home or villa has a scheduled opening. It is hard to fit it all in one day, and it is probably wise to get a tour guide that can bring to the best spots. Unfortunately, we complete missed out on seeing the arena.

Mount Vesuvius looming over its destruction.
Looking across House of Ara Massima’s atrium with an impluvium.
Painting on corridor wall leading into House of Dioscuri’s atrium.
Centaur by Igor Mitoraj
Centaur by Igor Mitoraj located in center of the forum.
Looking southwest across a poppy field of what was once the Temple of Venus and the backside of Igor Mitoraj’s bronze sculpture, Dedalo.
Funeral buildings visible today date back to the 1st century BC.
Statue of Eumachia is located in the center of a covered corridor in the building of Eumachia.
Forum building used for administering business and justice.
The Crouching Man, one of the more famous plastered casts of the victims, was over 20 years of age.
The House of the Faun got its name from this statue of a dancing satyr/faun found in the main atrium.
Large fountain decorated with polychrome glass mosaic tiles. Tragic marble masks flank each side of the niche.
Fresco found in a bedroom. The scene represents the junction between Jupiter, turned into a swan, and Leda, wife of Tindar king of Sparta.
Found in the The Villa of Mysteries, this large fresco spreads across three walls and depicts a mysterious rite for its cult members.
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