Monday, August 24, 2015

Business Insider- Pompeii in Pictures

These pictures will make you want to visit Pompeii, which was covered under a layer of volcanic ash thousands of years ago

SOPHIE-CLAIRE HOELLER

Aug. 24, 2015, 2:22 PM
24,603
3

Pompeii with Vesuvius backdrop

ShutterstockVesuvius is a beautiful, but dangerous backdrop.

On August 24, 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius, a 4,000-foot volcano near the Bay of Naples in Italy, erupted, taking down an entire city.

Pompeii was buried under an almost 20-foot blanket of volcanic ash that flooded the city, killing 2,000 people.

It was one of the world's most famous and deadly volcanic eruptions.

The city was left untouched until explorers rediscovered it in 1748, finding that the ancient Roman city was virtually intact underneath the dust and dirt.

Here are 17 photos that show why Pompeii has been a popular tourist destination for over 250 years.

View As: One Page Slides

Romans of the first century AD lived in Pompeii, and pretty much turned it into a vacation destination for the wealthy. The seaside city overlooked the Gulf of Naples.

Romans of the first century AD lived in Pompeii, and pretty much turned it into a vacation destination for the wealthy. The seaside city overlooked the Gulf of Naples.

Reuters/Mario Laporta

As a resort for Rome's rich, elegant villas lined wide, paved streets.

As a resort for Rome's rich, elegant villas lined wide, paved streets.

Franco Origlia/Getty Images

Some of these villas have been restored and are open to visitors, like the Casa del Fauno and Casa del Menandro. These extravagant homes feature courtyards and atriums, and are filled with mosaics and marble floors. Casa del Menandro even has a private bathhouse.

Some of these villas have been restored and are open to visitors, like the Casa del Fauno and Casa del Menandro. These extravagant homes feature courtyards and atriums, and are filled with mosaics and marble floors. Casa del Menandro even has a private bathhouse.

Shutterstock

Pompeii was a bustling city with cafés, snack bars (the Thermopolium), and restaurants (Caupona Pherusa tavern), and even a 20,000-seat amphitheater. Incidentally, this amphitheater is older than the Colosseum.

Pompeii was a bustling city with cafés, snack bars (the Thermopolium), and restaurants (Caupona Pherusa tavern), and even a 20,000-seat amphitheater. Incidentally, this amphitheater is older than the Colosseum.

Shutterstock

Approximately 2.5 million tourists visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site every year. Today, visitors can wander down Roman streets and check out ancient homes, former fish markets, temples, theaters, and even brothels.

Approximately 2.5 million tourists visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site every year. Today, visitors can wander down Roman streets and check out ancient homes, former fish markets, temples, theaters, and even brothels.

Shutterstock

Pompeii had a complex water system and port, and even two bath houses. The Terme Stabiane has beautifully stuccoed, vaulted changing rooms, and the Terme Suburbane, which is just outside Pompeii’s walls, features frescoes so graphic it scandalized the Vatican.

Pompeii had a complex water system and port, and even two bath houses. The Terme Stabiane has beautifully stuccoed, vaulted changing rooms, and the Terme Suburbane, which is just outside Pompeii’s walls, features frescoes so graphic it scandalized the Vatican.

Shutterstock

The volcanic eruption lasted 18 hours. Writer Pliny the Younger, who witnessed it from afar, wrote “I believed I was perishing with the world, and the world with me.” However, after the initial eruption some Pompeiians had time to flee.

The volcanic eruption lasted 18 hours. Writer Pliny the Younger, who witnessed it from afar, wrote “I believed I was perishing with the world, and the world with me.” However, after the initial eruption some Pompeiians had time to flee.

Shutterstock

It’s estimated that 20,000 people lived in Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted — most managed to escape, probably since the volcano had been rumbling for a while.

It’s estimated that 20,000 people lived in Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted — most managed to escape, probably since the volcano had been rumbling for a while.

Shutterstock

Those who remained saw more and more ash filling the air, which made it increasingly hard to breathe. Those who didn't choke or get crushed under a collapsing structure were killed thanks to a "pyroclastic surge:" when the volcano catapulted hot poison gas and rocks into the air that killed everything in its path.

Those who remained saw more and more ash filling the air, which made it increasingly hard to breathe. Those who didn't choke or get crushed under a collapsing structure were killed thanks to a "pyroclastic surge:" when the volcano catapulted hot poison gas and rocks into the air that killed everything in its path.

Getty Images/Franco Origlia

People returned to look for possessions and relatives, but Pompeii had disappeared under ash and debris, and was abandoned until its rediscovery in 1748.

People returned to look for possessions and relatives, but Pompeii had disappeared under ash and debris, and was abandoned until its rediscovery in 1748.

Shutterstock

The tons of ash acted as a preservative, as it caused a lack of air and moisture that left Pompeii like an untouched shrine to Roman life.

The tons of ash acted as a preservative, as it caused a lack of air and moisture that left Pompeii like an untouched shrine to Roman life.

Getty Images/Franco Origlia

Today, Pompeii excavations have been ongoing for nearly three centuries, and around 75% of the city has been unearthed. Statues and art survived the eruption perfectly preserved.

Today, Pompeii excavations have been ongoing for nearly three centuries, and around 75% of the city has been unearthed. Statues and art survived the eruption perfectly preserved.

Shutterstock

Excavators found that the ash-covered skeletons were surrounded by bubbles of space, and filled those with plaster to reveal clothes and even facial features. Morbidly, they left those plaster mummies where they had found the skeletons — hiding under staircases, crouching in corners, holding on to each other.

Excavators found that the ash-covered skeletons were surrounded by bubbles of space, and filled those with plaster to reveal clothes and even facial features. Morbidly, they left those plaster mummies where they had found the skeletons — hiding under staircases, crouching in corners, holding on to each other.

Reuters/Ciro Luca

Even everyday household items were uncovered, most famously some loaves of bread. This is the The Granai del Foro, which stores the many amphorae and body casts that were made in the late 19th century.

Even everyday household items were uncovered, most famously some loaves of bread. This is the The Granai del Foro, which stores the many amphorae and body casts that were made in the late 19th century.

Reuters/Giampiero Sposito

What makes Pompeii an incredible place to visit is the fact that it provides such a graphic slice of ancient Roman life, thrusting visitors into life 2,000 years ago: from fancy restaurants to brothels, swanky gyms to slogans painted on walls by Roman politicians running for office.

What makes Pompeii an incredible place to visit is the fact that it provides such a graphic slice of ancient Roman life, thrusting visitors into life 2,000 years ago: from fancy restaurants to brothels, swanky gyms to slogans painted on walls by Roman politicians running for office.

Shutterstock

While Vesuvius hasn't erupted since 1944, it is still considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, and experts think that another huge eruption could occur any day.

While Vesuvius hasn't erupted since 1944, it is still considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, and experts think that another huge eruption could occur any day.

Shutterstock

That would be a disaster, as almost three million people live within 20 miles of the volcano today.

That would be a disaster, as almost three million people live within 20 miles of the volcano today.

Shutterstock

READ MORE: 26 ancient ruins you should visit in your lifetime

SEE ALSO: 26 pictures that will make you want to visit Machu Picchu

More: Features Pompeii Ruins Volcano

Sponsored Links

Recommended From The Web

Learn The Risks Of BYOD. Read The Free Whitepaper.Travelers

What Are The Best Credit Cards Offered In 2015?NextAdvisor

Here's 4 Examples Of How Businesses Are Using CRMSalesforce

The Black Card That's Changing The Face Of NYCJustLuxe | Select

Why You Should Continue Developing New Business IdeasAmerican Express OPEN

Ultra-High Paying Travel Rewards Card For Those With Good CreditLendingTree

Investing The Soros Way (For Only $1,000K)Forbes | Motif Investing

Recommended For You

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please leave a comment-- or suggestions, particularly of topics and places you'd like to see covered

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)