Pompeii: An Archaeological Guide

by Paul Wilkinson

Overview

The resonant ruins of Pompeii are perhaps the most direct route back to the living, breathing world of the ancient Romans. Two million visitors annually now walk the paved streets which re-emerged, miraculously preserved, from their layers of volcanic ash. Yet for all the fame and unique importance of the site, there is a surprising lack of a handy archaeological guide in English to reveal and explain its public spaces and private residences. This compact and user-friendly handbook, written by an expert in the field, helpfully fills that gap. Illustrated throughout with maps, plans, diagrams and other images, Pompeii: An Archaeological Guide offers a general introduction to the doomed city followed by an authoritative summary and survey of the buildings, artefacts and paintings themselves. The result is an unrivalled picture, derived from an intimate knowledge of Roman archaeology around the Bay of Naples, of the forum, temples, brothels, bath-houses, bakeries, gymnasia, amphitheatre, necropolis and other site buildings - including perennial favourites like the House of the Faun, named after its celebrated dancing satyr.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781350129399
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/30/2019
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	229,834
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.05(d)

About the Author

Paul Wilkinson founded the Kent Archaeological Field School (www.kafs.co.uk), is currently Director of the Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company - or SWAT Archaeology for short (www.swatarchaeology.co.uk) - and holds a PhD in archaeology from the University of St Andrews. His previous books include the bestselling Pompeii: The Last Day (2004) and Archaeology: What it is, Where it is, and How to do it (2007), which have each sold well in excess of 50,000 copies.

Table of Contents

How to Use this Guide vii

Visiting Pompeii x

A Brief History

Timeline 3

Introduction 7

1 The Hateful Day 21

2 The Eruption 47

3 The Story Unfolds 63

The Guide

Suburban Baths 87

Imperial Villa / Marine Gate 90

Temple of Venus 92

Temple of Apollo 94

Forum 98

Basilica 101

Civil Offices 102

Temple of Jupiter 103

Temple of Vespasian 106

Sanctuary of City Lares 109

Macellum 110

Building of Eumachia 112

Forum Holitorium 115

Temple of Fortuna Augusta 116

Baths of Pompeii 118

Forum Baths 120

House of the Faun 125

House of the Vettii 134

Central Baths 138

Bakery of Popidius Priscus 139

Brothel 141

Stabian Baths 143

Theatre District 148

Samnite Gymnasium 151

Temple of Isis 152

Temple of Jupiter Meilichios 154

Theatres 154

Fullery of Stephanus 159

House of Loreius Tiburtinus 161

House of Venus in the Sea Shell 164

Palaestra 169

Amphitheatre 169

Nuceria Gate Tombs 173

Villa of the Mysteries 175

Tombs outside the Herculaneum Gate 179

Villa of Diomedes 188

House of Menander 192

House of the Tragic Poet 196

House of the Silver Wedding 200

Praedia of Julia Felix 204

Glossary 209

Further Reading 218

Bibliography 219

List of Illustrations 224

Index 227

Editorial Reviews

"If you want to know what you are exploring, this is the guide that will tell you. A ‘must-buy’ for anyone visiting Pompeii."

Timeless Travels Magazine