Pompeii

Pompeii ( 500 B.C.E - 79 AD)

Pompeii was ancient Roman town, currently located near modern Naples in the Campania region.  It was full developed city surrounded by Herculaneum and many villas.  The most well-known fact of Pompeii; it was destroyed by eruption of Mount Vesuvius in August 24th, 79 AD.  Entire city was buried under 13 to 20 feet of ash and pumice.  The end of this city due to the volcanic event was discovered by researchers, found letter that people wrote description of how he/she saw ash was coming towards city and people were dying. The city is remained as frozen at the moment of 79 AD.


Pompeii was founded by Osci, people of central Italy.  The place was used as safe port by ancient Greek and Phoenician sailors.

Life in Pompeii was quite similar to what we learned in Rome.  Architectural style is some what similar.  They had public baths just as same as Rome.  The large theater was located in city for public entertainment purpose.  Several temples were discovered.



Arts from Pompeii has been the greatest achievement of their era.  Their art had four styles, which has been well-known today. 

First style; Painted stucco, which also mimicking other types of materials, such as; marble and stones.  Many wall paintings were discovered.  Somewhat they were similar to late Republican - early Imperial Roman paintings.



Second style; this style mimic the architectural construction, which include; columns, entablatures, and arches.  Similar colors were used as Greek and Minoans, such as; Red which is known as Pompeian red today.  Development from first style is their paintings started to include more details, such as Shades and more perspective drawings.



Third style; it shows increasing amount of pictorial sophistication and the architecture represented in much more details than previous two styles.  Details are include; columns, garlands, birds, and vegetation.  They are often times referred as Painted Scenarios.  The third style also include landscapes, which include green pigments.  It was difficult to produce at the time, so researchers believe it was special paintings that were for high class people.



Fourth style; All the wall paintings in this style were representational and often featured larger scene than previous styles. Their perspective of representation even more expanded.  One of the famous painting has paintings hanging in some interior view.



Current Application

Wall paintings are still popular way to decorate interior space today.