The Hidden Revelations Behind Pompeii

The Hidden Revelations Behind Pompeii

Paolo Di Sante

1531348

Western Civilization 330-910-MS

Maria Salomon

Friday, April 15, 2016

INTRODUCTION

        History is the basis for learning about our future. The past and the present can be compared by examining the past to the present. The documentary Pompeii: Life and Death in a Roman Town, told by the historian and professor Mary Beard through the BBC documentary. The town of Pompeii, is a fascinating story about the infamous Mount Vesuvius and the volcanic eruption that destroyed a civilization about two thousand years ago. The remains and remnants of fifty-four bodies found in a cellar are examined more closely to tell a story of the lives of the Romans at that time. In modern day, we are still able to examine the bones, fragments, artefacts, and buildings to piece together what life was like. The historian reveals how the rich and the poor people lived with the assistance of a team of forensic experts lead by Fabian Kanz.

EVIDENCE

The goal of this documentary is to examine the skeletons of deceased Pompeiians in order to ascertain who they were, and what kind of lives they led. The bones found in the cellar tell a story that truly captures what life was like, and demarks fact from myth. The cause of death is a known fact, thus, we instead are analyzing personal characteristics and who the bones belong to. For example, the bones tell us their age, gender, build/size. Furthermore, a closer look at their teeth tell of any diseases or illnesses they could have had.

The primary source of evidence were the bodies of bones found in the cellar, in the small town of Oplantis, in Pompeii. It is here that the people were divided into two distinct groups: the rich versus the poor. On one side, the wealthy were catalogued along with their coins and jewels. The other side, the poor were simply put all together and left as it was. Therefore, we begin the journey by understanding that fact that the class distinction existed and that is one of the first things we learn.  

        The bones reveal further pertinent facts upon further examination. One of the interesting notions is the inspection of the size of the bone. As Professor Beard states, analysis of the bones give us a picture of the human being that lived there at that time. A forensic expert is able to examine the color of the bone in more depth. In one instance, the remains reveal that they belonged to a strong and robust male that was most likely of wealth because he was found to have money and jewelry on him. Consequently, they analyzed the bones revealing that it was of a young woman of about twenty years old, who had gold and coins with her, at the time of her escape. Her bones had turned green because of the gold she was wearing. Therefore, the remains found in the cellar is just one of the clues that indicates split between the rich and the poor.

        The jewelry is another source of evidence not only revealing their wealth but what sort of precious stone it was composed of and where it came from. For example, one of the necklaces had emeralds in the gold link. This suggests that it was not from Pompeii but assumed that it came from Egypt. Therefore, there were outside influences even at that time. Pompeii, had foreign imports from other countries indicating they traded and exchanged with other nations and cultures.

        Another important part of Roman life was bathing. The people went to a “public palace” which housed big baths for the people to wash themselves. Upon closer inspection of the bath, there was no circulation for the water. Nonetheless, it was filthy water that most likely caused illnesses and death. Those that were not part of the elite had no other choice but to succumb to this lifestyle. Interestingly, having a “Roman bath” today is very expensive and a luxury. Back then, it was a way of life but the concept still remains to this day.

        The artwork or paintings found in the ancient city reveal that this society was overtly masculine. The clues found that depict this notion were in a bathhouse. Inside the establishment, the theory is that the second floor was used as a brothel. The artwork on the walls shows different sexual positions in different paintings in some sort of sequence. On the one hand, each of the scenes were different. The suggestion being that it was to determine where one would lay their belongings just like one having a parking spot. On the other hand, the Romans were no more interested in sex than we are today, instead it portrayed the male dominance of the time. The men were dominant and the Roman power was based on their masculinity. It was a male dominated society that has certainly changed but still does exist.

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