Plaster painting pompeii9/10/2023 social structure men, women, freedmen, slaves. the economy: trade, commerce, industries, occupations, These sources provide us with evidence for: Modern archaeological projects at Pompeii and Herculaneum often draw conclusions that question widely held concepts about Roman life, ask different questions about the material finds, shift away from certainty towards multiple and varied interpretations, and recognise that the archaeological practices of the past have shaped modern interpretations. International teams study the evidence of Pompeii and Herculaneum continually. This adds difficulty in interpreting finds. However, due to neglect and treasure hunting that formed the basis of early excavations, much evidence was compromised and removed. The large amount and the diverse range of sources available in Pompeii and Herculaneum provide authenticity and allow historians to understand the society in a unique way. It provides a true social history - regardless of gender, age, social status and race. This snapshot of life is not limited, like in formal written histories in antiquity, to the picture presented by men. Historians can paint a picture of what everyday life was like in Pompeii, thanks to a wide array of sources available to them. The archaeological record in Pompeii and Herculaneum is unique. The account is also concerned with celebrating the life, bravery and actions of Pliny the Elder, and therefore the account may be unreliable There is also no evidence that the letters were written until twenty five years after the eruption. The reliability of his letters must also be questioned as he uses second hand accounts of his fathers' death, gathering information from those who were nearhim when he died who were undoubtedly traumatized, and in the employ of the household. He does not record the year and makes no mention of the tremendous detenation that must have preceded the eruption it seems strange that an eyewitness would neglect to write so much. The 'Letter's provide two geographical viewpoints (Stabiae and Misenum) however he does not mention the overwhelming of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The description of the eruption and events provides geological clues used by modern Vulcanologists as well as eye witness accounts and personal reactions which give us a different understanding of the eruption. The letter covers the actions and deeds of his uncle, Pliny the Elder, commander of roman fleet as well as events as viewed from Misenum, less than 30km from Vesuvius. They are a valuable primary source, both as a historical and scientific document. The letters are useful in a number of ways. Pliny the Younger experienced the eruption as a teenager and wrote the two letters 25 years later in response to a request by Tacitus. His works include '‘Letters to Tacitus’ which describe the eruption, the death of his uncle and his own reactions to the disaster. Pliny the Younger is the nephew of Pliny the elder and friend of Tacitus. Many of the literary sources available for study have a particular focus of enquiry. * Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4-1BC – 65AD) Roman philosopher * Greek philosopher Strabo (64BC – 21AD) who is useful for geographical background and historical setting. 65Įxcept for Pliny the Younger’s eye witness accounts of the eruption, literary sources are rare and fragmented. Some that are useful include: ANDREW WALLACE-HADRILL, HOUSES AND SOCIETY IN POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM, P. It is at once the most studied and least understood of sites. It is premature to say that we understand Pompeii. The nature of the eruption governed both what was left behind for archaeologists to dig up, and how it was sealed by the deposits of the volcano.
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