Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79AD Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79AD - Essay Example It was founded around the 6th century BC, built on a volcanic ridge, produced by prehistoric lava by the Oscans. It remained a fortified city, completely rnclosed by a high wall and maintained its own language and culture. It was rich in architecture and this was focused on public places. Pompeii was divided into nine zones and the ‘regio’ was further sub-divided into ‘insulae’. The dwellings were of different dimensions depending upon the wealth of the inhabitants. It had atrium houses, lower class residential and commercial structures, vineyards and gardens, and several major public buildings- a basilica, public baths, theater, temples, and a forum (Olson-Raymer). Herculaneum was founded by the Greek Hero Hercules. Herculaneum was more peaceful and elegant than Pompeii (Herculaneum). Herculaneum was devoted to navy and fishing and had a lot of greenery. It was also famous for architecture while marble and bronze were its natural resources. It was rich in m osaic too. Pompeii on the other hand was a good passage for goods that arrived by sea or had to further move towards Rome.