The Layout of Pompeii
There are a number of famous temples and buildings situated in Pompeii. These include Pompeii Basilica (constructed between 120 and 80 BCE), Temple of the Lares Publici built in 62 AD for Octavian Augustus,and Amphitheatre of Pompeii, finished c.80 BC. The Amphitheatre is 104 by 135 metres in length.
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Pompeian Entertainment
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There were many different types of entertainment that the people of Pompeii enjoyed. These included plays and productions in theatres and there were many taverns (bars) around the city where gambling was held. However, the most popular form of entertainment in Pompeii and possibly many places in Rome was gladiatorial games hosted in amphitheatres. Other entertainment held in amphitheatres were animal shows and boxing.
Climate
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The climate in Pompeii was quite mild and had good weather conditions and rich soil for growing crops such as grapes and olives. As it is in the Mediterranean, Pompeii is extremely hot but breezy and dry in summer and cool but wet in the winter.
Ancient Roman Clothing
Men wore clothes such as tunics and cloaks for more chilly weather. During formal occasions, they would wear togas in white. The fashion during that time was trimmed or clipped beards and pants were considered more feminine and foreign. Women also wore tunics, but longer and more full called the Peplos and the Chiton.
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Ancient Roman Food
Many of the people in the Roman Empire ate Mediterranean food, consisting of barley, olive oil and wine.
A Richer Diet
Richer people tended to eat beef, pork, fish, dormice and even snails. For breakfast, they commonly ate bread and honey with cheese. Lunch consisted of various meat as stated above with bread, and for dinner a whole range of meat and honey cakes to finish. It was not uncommon Typically, a wealthy family ate lots of fine bread and meats. Olive oil is used throughout the society whether rich or poor. |
A Poorer Diet
Poorer people tended to eat more lentils, vegetables, fruit and occasionally dairy products such as cheese and eggs. Breakfast included porridge made of barley and anything that family can get hold of. For lunch they had rough bread with perhaps some fish and soup made from chickpeas. Dinner is similar to breakfast with a savoury porridge cheese and beans. |
Class and Rank System in Pompeii
The rank system was divided into 4 main groups- Senator, equestrians, Roman citizens 'commons' and slaves. However, anyone could easily change their rank (equestrians can become a senator, etc). There were also officials were very significant and had people that carried around axes, or fasces for them, which symbolised their power to punish or execute people.
Senator- Also known as senatores, Senators were nobles, men who was in the Senate and families who had a minimum of 1 consul in it Equestrian (class)- Also called equites, Equestrians were very wealthy people. A man could be enrolled as an equestrian if he had more than 400,000 sesterces (rare Roman coins). Commons/Roman Citizens- Also called plebs or vulgus, commons are basically people born in Rome. You can distinguish them from their white togas. |
Slaves- Slaves, or servi, were most commonly made by birth from slave parents. Also many gladiators were slaves, and to win their freedom they fought others.