Cities of Vesuvius

Pompeii and Herculaneum

Stage 6 Ancient History CORE TOPIC

CORE TOPIC!!!

• This means that EVERY student studying Ancient History for the HSC will study Pompeii and Herculaneum

MORE IMPORTANTLY…• This means that EVERY TEACHER with a

Yr 12 Ancient History class from 2006 onwards will have to teach Pompeii and Herculaneum

SEX SELLS!!!

Brothels of Pompeii

•Brothels like this one were scattered over Pompeii

Where in the world is Pompeii?

Pompeii

Mt Vesuvius looms over Pompeii

Examinable Elements:

• Geographical Context– The physical environment: the geographical

setting, natural features and resources of Pompeii and Herculaneum

– Plans and streetscapes of Pompeii and Herculaneum

Examinable Elements

• The nature of sources and evidence– The range of available sources, both written and

archaeological

• The evidence provided by the sources for:– The eruption, economy, social structure, political life,

everyday life, housing etc– Influence of Greek and Egyptian cultures: art,

architecture, religion; household gods, temples

Examinable Elements:

• Investigating, reconstructing and preserving the past– Changing methods and contributions of 19th and 20th

century archaeologists to our understanding of Pompeii and Herculaneum

– Changing interpretations: impact of new research and technologies

– Ethical issues– Issues of conservation and reconstruction

HSC Examination

• EVERY student must answer the question on Cities of Vesuvius: Pompeii and Herculaneum

• There will be one question in three parts with at least three sources provided

THEREFORE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR STUDENTS KNOW HOW TO USE

AND INTERPRET SOURCES!

Question 1 (a)

• This part will require students to extract relevant information from some or all of the sources in context. This question may contain a number of sub parts.

• Students must use the sources provided and demonstrate skill in understanding and interpreting the sources

Question 1 (b)

• This part will require students to use sources and apply their own knowledge to reconstruct aspects of life in Pompeii and Herculaneum

• Students will have to expand on the sources provided, drawing on their own knowledge to answer this question

Question 1 (c)

• This part will require students to refer to sources and apply their own knowledge to issues of investigating, reconstructing and preserving past and related ethical issues

• This is where students can demonstrate their knowledge and understanding, tying it in with the provided sources

Ancient Sources

• The earliest written record of any volcanic eruption relates to Mt Vesuvius

• Pliny the Younger describes the eruption that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum

• Pliny the Younger also wrote letters to Tacitus which tell us of politics and everyday life in Pompeii

Ancient Sources

• Names to remember when looking for ancient written sources on Pompeii:– Pliny the Younger– Strabo– Seneca

• Archaeological Evidence– Pompeii is preserved today– Artefacts survived– The evidence shows the daily lives of the people of

Pompeii

Pompeii

• In 79 A.D., the ancient volcano Vesuvius erupted and preserved the daily lives of the Pompeii residents under a cover of lava and ash.

Frozen in Time

• People were “frozen” in place as the ash from Mount Vesuvius cooled around them. The ones that escaped the ash were soon killed by the poisonous gases that filled the air

Streets of Pompeii

Pedestrian Passages

Forum Baths

•The rooms used for changing were embellished with stuccos and paintings

Flour Mill Bakery

Grindstones Oven

Graffiti of Pompeii

• Graffiti of political messages is found in the forum at Pompeii

• Women too expressed their political opinion through graffiti

Political Statements

Inscriptions by the duoviri

(Pompeii’s mayors)

Wonders of Pompeii

Lead Pipes, Pompeii, 79 A. D.

Grain Mill, Pompeii, 79 A. D.

Lunch Counter, Pompeii, 79 A. D.

Amphorae, Pompeii, 79 A. D.

Painting, Pompeii, 79 A. D.

Street Scene in Pompeii

Victim of Vesuvius

Victims of Vesuvius