🏺 The gardens of Pompeii

🏺🌴The gardens of Pompeii, preserved by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, provide a rare and detailed insight into ancient Roman garden design. 🏛️🔥

✅ Despite the damage from both the eruption and later events like the 1942 bombing, around 500 domestic gardens in Pompeii have been partially preserved. These gardens were integral to Roman homes and took various forms, including atriums—small courts that allowed light and ventilation—, peristyle courts, and ornamental peristyle gardens, often surrounded by colonnades. 

✅ Other types included the xystus, or vegetable gardens, typically located at the back of the house. Garden frescoes often depicted scenes that extended the perception of space, blending reality with art through painted trellises that appeared to enclose the gardens.

✅  Notable examples of these gardens can be found in houses such as the House of the Faun, which featured two atria and peristyle gardens, and the House of the Vettii, renowned for its elaborate ornamentation, fountains, and frescoes. 

✅ Other significant sites include the House of the Great Fountain, known for its vibrant mosaic fountain, and the Villa at Oplontis, which showcased ancient tree placements within its courtyards. 

✅ These gardens were more than aesthetic spaces; they were central to the social, religious, and domestic life of Pompeii’s inhabitants. The preserved layouts and features reflect the horticultural practices and artistic tastes of the time, offering a window into the daily lives and cultural values of ancient Romans.

#gardensinpompeii #visitpompeii  #visitnaplesandamalficoast  #visitnaples #withsal  #pompeii

🏺 Surprising and interesting Facts About Pompeii

🏺Surprising And Interesting Facts About Pompeii  🏛️

✅Pompeii was a seaside town

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius did more than bury the city in a tomb of ash and pumice: it also changed the landscape.

Evidence of fish in Pompeiian diets, to interpretations of the sea in frescoes, makes it clear that Pompeii used to be on the coast. The pyroclastic blast in 79 A.D. caused the top of Mt. Vesuvius to collapse, transforming today’s version of Pompeii into the landlocked city.

✅Pompeii was multicultural

Among the ruins, dozens of relics from other countries have emerged.

Jade from Egypt and sculptures from India were found. Evidence like suggest that people likely knew of places outside their hometowns.

✅ Both the rich and the poor ate a balanced diet

Evidence of chicken, eggs, fish, and produce were in both the rich and poor circles.

✅ While there was a difference between the ordinary and the rich, both shared the same amount of nutrition.

✅ Bread often had stones in it

Because milling grain involved grinding flour down with stone tools. Oftentimes, pieces of the stone would be baked in the bread, a staple of ancient Pompeii.

This would wear down on the teeth over time, causing cavities and other problems.

✅Fast food was alive and well 

hile it may not be the McDonald’s or Taco Bell, there was fast food in ancient Pompeii. At one point, there were twenty shops in one street.

This was where people who needed to work long hours got something quick.

✅The first case of congenital syphilis may have been here

In a cellar two miles away from Pompeii, the remains of twins were found. After examining their bones, researchers believe it they may have had syphilis.

This would raise further questions about healthcare in Roman times, as the twins grew up to be 12-13 years old before Mt. Vesuvius erupted.

✅Phallic symbols are rampant here

Yes, that’s definitely what it is on the wall.

It was a symbol of masculinity, fertility, good luck and a street sign to get to lupanare (brothel).

✅Evidence of how Pompeii lived can still be found in Naples

Some things have never changed, many of the ways people in ancient Pompeii lived are still evident on the street level in Naples. Door knockers, graffiti, even the way stores were set up, all have frescoes that look similar to them from Pompeii.

✅The baths were super dirty

There was no filtration of water in the famous Roman baths like there are in pools today. Because of this, people’s sweat, oils, and dirt would stand in the water while people relaxed in it.

In fact, one Roman physician stated you shouldn’t go to the baths with open wounds, lest it gets infected and leads to other, nastier problems.

✅Small comic-book stories have been found in restaurants

In a bar, two men are drinking and start arguing over something petty.

When it breaks out into a fight, the owner of the establishment steps in and threatens to kick them out for causing a scene. The words were written in the ancient world’s version of speech bubbles, reminding us that not only were these places people ate, drank, and became merry – they were also businesses.

✅ Raised block 

The streets also had raised blocks in the middle. These allowed pedestrians to cross the street without having to step onto the road itself which doubled up as Pompeii's drainage and sewage disposal system. The spaces between the blocks allowed vehicles to pass along the road.

 Health System in Pompeii: Presidia and Pharmaceutical Workshops.

Sources show that Pompeii had a surprisingly advanced health care system for the time. Numerous archaeological finds suggest the presence of physicians, surgeons, veterinarians, and a wide variety of pharmaceutical workshops and health garrisons.

✅Condoms and other contraceptive methods In Pompeii 

In Pompeii , both condoms and other contraceptive methods were used, although with different purposes and effectiveness .

Primary Purpose ? While sometimes effective against pregnancy, the primary focus was often on preventing the spread of STIs like syphilis.

Among the many types, condoms were once made from animal intestines, bladders, linen, leather, and even paper to cover the penis during intercourse.

✅ Public Toilets in ancient Pompeii

Pompeii city had large public latrines, where many people - often 20 or more - could relieve themselves in remarkably opulent settings.

The communal toilets featured long benches - sat above channels of flowing water - with small holes cut into them.

Ancient Pompeians used a Tersorium to wipe. These ancient devices consisted of a stick with a vinegar- or salt water - soaked sponge attached. Afterwards, it was left for the next person to use.

✅ Birth was a risky time for both mothers and children, with high infant mortality.

Infants were wrapped in woolen swaddling clothes to protect them from the cold and encourage straight limb growth. Pliny the Elder considered this practice a form of slavery.

✅The precise number of people who died in the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius is unknown, but estimates of the total death toll vary widely, with the highest figures reaching up to 16,000 , out of a population of 20,000 people 

✅Roles of Men and Women in Sexual Relationships in Pompeian society

 it was socially acceptable and even expected for Roman men to seek sex with both female and male partners. However, there were rules to this. Males were able to have sex with other men as long as they maintained the “active” or “penetrative” role. This protected their masculinity. But if they sought a “passive” role, receiving penetration or performing oral sex on either women or other men, then their masculinity was challenged and could lead to them being labeled effeminate.

✅ Around 1,044 casts and scattered bones have been recovered at Pompeii.

✅ The menu in Pompeii was  a mix of savory and simple fare: spiced wine, lentils, fish sauce (garum), and even baked dormice. Bread, olives, and cheese were staples, often enjoyed on the go. The thermopolia reveal a society that valued convenience, much like today’s fast-food culture.

#factsaboutpompeii  #visitnaplesandamalficoast  #visitnaples #withsal #visitpompeii

🏺⚕️👨🏻‍⚕️Medicine in Pompeii: Between Science and Superstition 💉🤟🏼

 🏺⚕️👨🏻‍⚕️Medicine in Pompeii: Between Science and Superstition - Roman surgeons were able to perform complex operations such as cesarean delivery, removal of the cornea, reduction of hernias, drilling of the skull, amputation of limbs, and extirpation of tumors...... 💉🤟🏼🌶️

Pompeii, the city buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, offers a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of the Romans, including their medical practices. Historical sources and archaeological findings reveal a complex medical system influenced by both the magico-religious tradition and Greek science.

✅The Origins of Roman Medicine: Between Religion and Magic.

Before the arrival of Greek scientific medicine, the Romans relied on empirical medicine, passed down orally and based on rituals and folk beliefs. This “scientia herbarum” used plants and organic substances to cure ailments. Religion played a key role in this primitive medicine. Deities such as Salus (Health), Carna (protector of children's health) and Febris (the Fever) were invoked for healing.

Alongside religious medicine, magical medicine thrived, practiced by magician-healers who used spells and filters to ward off disease. At Pompeii, numerous amulets, such as pantheistic hands, phalluses, and vulvas, have been found, testifying to the belief in magical power for protection from disease and the evil eye.

✅ Greek Influence and the Birth of Scientific Medicine.

The Roman conquest of Hellenistic territories in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC marked a turning point for Roman medicine. Greek physicians brought their scientific knowledge with them, profoundly influencing medical practice, especially among the upper classes.

Hippocrates, considered the father of Western medicine, argued that health depended on the balance of the body's four humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile. Another important figure was Asclepias, who proposed a molecular theory of disease, attributing its cause to an alteration in the movement of atoms in the body.

Prominent among Roman physicians was Aulus Cornelius Celsus, author of the treatise De Medicina. Celsus, an excellent pharmacologist and surgeon, integrated Hippocratic and Asclepiadic doctrines with the Roman practical mindset. Antony Musa, famous for curing Emperor Augustus with cold hydrotherapy and diet, was an advocate of the healing power of plants such as chicory, lettuce, and endive.

✅  Doctors in Pompeii: Professional Figures and Places of Care

In Pompeii, physicians practiced either at home or in clinics called medicina or taberna medica. There were also medical specialists, particularly ophthalmologists (ocularii), who treated eye ailments with eye drops made from plant or mineral substances.

Archaeological sources reveal the presence of medical garrisons in Pompeii. At the Great Gymnasium, there was a first aid station for sports injuries. Some houses, such as the House of the Surgeon, have been identified as possible clinics or pharmacies, thanks to the discovery of surgical instruments and medical equipment. The House of the Gladiator Physician, located near the barracks, provided medical care for gladiators.

✅  The Pompeian Pharmacopoeia: A Mix of Experimentation and Superstition.

The Romans used a wide range of substances in their pharmacopoeia, including herbs, minerals, and animal products. Plants such as garlic, silphium, balsam, saffron, and opium were widely used for their healing properties. Clay was used to treat skin diseases, while auripigmentum (yellow sulfide of arsenic) was a disinfectant for wounds.

Remedies of animal origin included goose fat for inflammation of the uterus, spider web as a hemostatic, viper bile for eye drops, and viper meat for malignant ulcers.

The Roman pharmacopoeia, however, was not without superstitions. The “medicine of signatures” associated the healing properties of plants with their resemblance to human organs. Bizarre remedies based on animal dung or donkey blood testify to the persistence of irrational beliefs.

 ✅ Surgery: A Developing Discipline.

Roman medicine, influenced by the anatomical studies of the Alexandrians, made significant advances in surgery. Roman surgeons were able to perform complex operations such as cesarean delivery, removal of the cornea, reduction of hernias, drilling of the skull, amputation of limbs, and extirpation of tumors. They used anesthetics such as opium and mandrake juice to relieve pain.

The discovery of the Surgeon's House in Pompeii revealed a collection of surgical instruments, including scalpels, forceps, hooks, probes, specils, and suction cups, providing valuable evidence of surgical techniques in use.

 ✅ Health System in Pompeii: Presidia and Pharmaceutical Workshops.

Sources show that Pompeii had a surprisingly advanced health care system for the time. Numerous archaeological finds suggest the presence of physicians, surgeons, veterinarians, and a wide variety of pharmaceutical workshops and health garrisons.

✅  Sanitary Garrisons:

- Great Gymnasium: Near the main gate was a first-aid garrison (theca vulneraria), probably run by physician P. Terentius Celadus, whose name is engraved on a wall. The need for first aid at this location was dictated by the high probability of injuries during physical activities.

- House of the Gladiator Physician: Located next to the gladiator barracks, this house featured an outpatient clinic and stone benches for waiting patients, demonstrating the constant presence of a physician to treat gladiators during training and fighting.

✅  Pharmaceutical Workshops and Doctors' Houses:

- Surgeon's House: The finding of numerous surgical instruments, some of them for veterinary use, suggests that the inhabitant was a physician. The presence of veterinary instruments is explained by the proximity of the house to Herculaneum Gate, where stables and horse changing stations were located.

- Workshop VI, 4, 1 (Consular Street): Identified as a “pharmaceutical workshop” due to the finding of jars, bottles with residues of chemical preparations, pills, a spoon and saucer for ointments.

- House of Pupio: A box with surgical instruments was found in a room overlooking the garden.

- House of the Centaur and House of A.Vettius Caprasius Felix: The presence of a large number of medical and pharmaceutical equipment in these two adjoining houses suggests that this was a pharmaceutical workshop.

- Physician's House: A large room on the ground floor, probably used for public use, contained a large quantity of surgical instruments and pharmaceutical tools, suggesting a pharmacy. The physician A. Pumponius Magonianus lived on the upper floor.

- House of Philippus: The structure of the house, with multiple rooms on two floors and two separate entrances, suggests a clinic. Numerous medical instruments were found, including probes, tweezers, and small bottles.

- House of the New Physician: Finding of surgical instruments in all rooms, suggesting the possible function of a clinic.

- House of Marcus Lucretius: The presence of surgical instruments along with other business-related items suggests that a member of the family was a physician. The adjoining store may have been an outpatient clinic or a resale of surgical instruments.

- House of the New Physician II: Several surgical instruments, including a forceps and a uterus speculum, were found in a room identified as an outpatient clinic. The image of the centaur Chiron, a mythological physician, painted in the tablinum reinforces the hypothesis of the presence of medical activities.

- Conclusions: A Medical System in Transition

The abundance of archaeological finds in Pompeii testifies to an organized and relatively complex health care system, with the presence of various professionals and facilities dedicated to health care, both human and animal. The variety of surgical instruments found also demonstrates a level of medical and surgical knowledge that was quite advanced for the time.

Medicine in Pompeii was a system in transition, in which the magical-religious tradition was intertwined with Greek medical science. Pompeian physicians, respected professional figures, used a wide range of remedies, both effective and superstition-based. Surgery, a rapidly developing discipline, allowed for complex operations, thanks to anatomical advances and the availability of surgical instruments.

#houseofsuregon #pompeii #visitnaplesandamalficoast #visitnaples #withsal

🏺🫒2000 years old bottle contains solidified olive oil

 🏺🫒2000 years old bottle contains solidified olive oil ,It was found in the ruins of the ancient Roman city Herculaneum (archeological museum of Naples 🏛️

✅  Tourists and visitors to the National Archeological Museum in Naples (MANN) had the opportunity to see a 2000 years old bottle contains solidified olive oil, it is considered the oldest product in the world. It was found in the ruins of the ancient Roman city Herculaneum. 

✅ During the Roman Imperial Age Olive Oil was the main dietary vegetable oil; it was also used for lighting, therapy, pregnancy, and delivery as well as cosmetics such as a characteristic rose-scented olive oil.

✅Visitors can also see a ( carbonized ) Panis Quadratus (Roman Bread) which was discovered in a villa owned by a member of a very successful merchant family  in  Herculaneum called Quintus Granius Verus. He was one of the city's elders. 

✅The loaf was stamped with a text " Of Celer, slave of Quintus Granius Verus". Loaves of bread were marked in this manner before being  taken into a communal bakery . 

✅The bread's original owner, Celer is known to have survived the eruption of Vesuvius, and the subsequent pyroclastic flow. His name appears in a later list of freed slaves.

✅The dough of the bread was chemically analyzed and was known to be sourdough bread. It was incised before being baked. The  cuts devided the bread into wedges to make it easier to share. A string was tied around the side of  the bread to make it easier to carry. 

Both, olive oil bottles and bread are depicted in Roman Art.

#oil #visitnaplesandamalficoast #visitnaples #withsal 

🏺🥖🏺Bread in Ancient Pompeii

 🥖🏺Bread in Ancient Pompeii 

Pompeians  citizens learned the trade of baker in the 2nd century BC,

Thanks to contact with Greek culture.In the ruins of Pompeii, remains of bread have been found, along with molds and utensils related to the art of breadmaking.

✅The Pompeains made unleavened and leavened bread, with and without salt, breads made from various grains, breads with spices, with aromatic herbs, with honey, with cheese and raisins, and breads of various qualities.

 ✅ They used various types of baking:

🥖in the oven, over ashes, in molds.

🥖Bread with wine, with oil, with milk and pepper...

🥖There were also breads for special days and festivals.

✅In 30 BC, there were 30 bread ovens in Pompeii .

A city prepared to supply the entire population.

✅The price of bread was regulated.

There was a college of bakers that enjoyed some tax privileges.

A common food that was never lacking in the pantry of Roman citizens.

#bread #visitnaplesandamalficoast #visitnaples #withsal 

🏺Gladiatorial games in Pompeii

 🔱🗡️Gladiatorial games in Pompeii💪🔥⚔️

Gladiatorial combat, known as munera gladiatoria, was one of the most popular spectacles in the Roman world, and Pompeii was no exception. The city acquired a masonry amphitheater as early as around 80 BC, one of the oldest of its kind, even predating Rome's first masonry amphitheater.

✅Pompeii's amphitheater, called Spectacula by the city's inhabitants, was built with the financial contribution of magistrates C. Quinctius Valgus and Marcus Porcius. The original structure was made of opera incerta and opera quasi reticulatum, building techniques that used small stones arranged irregularly. After the earthquake in 62 AD, the vaults of the annular corridors were damaged and later restored with brick arches.

✅The amphitheater was elliptical in plan and included:

The arena: the central space designated for fighting.

The cavea: the tiers of steps that surrounded the arena, where spectators sat.

Access to the amphitheater was free for the citizens of Pompeii, who were given special admission cards. The best seats, in the lower part of the cavea, were reserved for the authorities and the city's most important figures. To protect spectators from the sun, the amphitheater was equipped with a velarium, a movable canvas cover supported by flagpoles and operated with ropes. The presence of the velarium was often publicized in announcements of performances.

✅Gladiators, who fought in the arena amid cheering crowds, came from different categories:

Prisoners of war.

Slaves.

Criminals sentenced to death.

They were organized in special schools called Ludi and lived in barracks-prisons where they trained hard. Gladiatorial schools were widespread throughout the Roman world, but those in Campania were particularly famous.

The fate of gladiators was often cruel. The public, with a thumbs-down gesture, decided whether the defeated gladiator should be killed or spared. Audience involvement was extremely high, and violent clashes between fans were not uncommon.

One such episode, which occurred in Pompeii in 59 CE, involved Pompeian fans and those from the nearby city of Nuceria, resulting in an actual massacre. The episode, recounted by the historian Tacitus, is also depicted in a painting in the Archaeological Museum in Naples.

In addition to gladiatorial fights, venationes, hunting spectacles in which men faced ferocious beasts such as lions, tigers, and bears, also took place in the amphitheater. Sometimes the animals were made to fight each other or trained to perform entertaining acts. To make the spectacles more realistic, complex sets were created to imitate exotic landscapes.

Gladiatorial games, despite their popularity, came under criticism for their cruelty. In 404 AD, thanks in part to the protests of figures such as the philosopher Seneca, gladiatorial combat was finally banned.

Drawings of gladiators made by children, discovered in a house in Pompeii, testify to how even the youngest children were exposed to the violence of gladiatorial spectacles.

The story of the gladiators and the amphitheater in Pompeii gives us a fascinating yet disturbing insight into Roman society. It shows us how violence and spectacle were intrinsically linked in the culture of the time, and how even children were not immune to this influence.

#gladiators #pompeii #visitnaplesandamalficoast  #visitnaples #withsal

🏺 Plaster cast of a Roman watchdog

🏺🐕 Plaster cast of a Roman watchdog killed by the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius. He was found tied to the threshold of the House of Marcus Vesonius Primus in Pompeii (also known as the House of Orpheus) , unable to escape. 

Its final moments of struggle were preserved by volcanic ash .The cast shows the dog contorted in a struggle, suggesting it died from suffocation or extreme heat while trying to free itself.

The original bronze rings of the dog's collar have survived, and the cast shows impressions of the leather straps.

The original plaster cast is on display at the Antiquarium of Boscoreale . 

#pompeii #visitnaplesandamalficoast  #visitnaples #withsal #pompeiiwatchdog

🏺👶 plaster cast of a child’s

 🏺👶An archaeologist holds a plaster cast of a child’s body that died as a result of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE in Pompeii. The child was sitting on his mother’s lap when tragedy struck. It is believed that he was about four years old.😢

Most of the inhabitants of Pompeii that died were asphyxiated by the poison gas from the eruption. Their bodies were subsequently entirely buried by the volcanic ashes that rained from the sky.

Around 1870, Giuseppe Fiorelli introduced a method that poured liquid plaster in the cavities left by the bodies that had decomposed inside the volcanic material.

This allowed the making of casts of the victims of the eruption. Once the plaster had solidified, the surrounding soil was removed. In Pompeii and Herculaneum, using this technique, the casts of numerous human bodies, animals and objects were made.

#children #pompeii  #visitnaplesandamalficoast  #visitnaples 

🏺The daily life of children in Pompeii

🏺🧸The daily life of children in Pompeii 🛞

The life of children in Pompeii was not so different from that of children in other cities of the Roman Empire. Rituals, ceremonies, and education were similar, as were games and amusements.

✅ Birth and early years:

Birth was a risky time for both mothers and children, with high infant mortality.

Infants were wrapped in woolen swaddling clothes to protect them from the cold and encourage straight limb growth. Pliny the Elder considered this practice a form of slavery.

To ward off the evil eye, a mark was drawn on the infant's forehead with saliva and amulets were used to protect them from evil spirits.

Deities such as Juno and Hercules were invoked for the infant's protection.

Babies were placed around their necks with a bulla, a charm containing a good luck charm, which would accompany them into adulthood.

Nursing and weaning were maternal tasks in modest families, while wealthy families entrusted babies to nannies and wet nurses.

Wet nurses told children mythological fables and fairy tales with talking animals that taught moral precepts, such as those of Aesop and Phaedrus.

Minor deities such as Vagitanus, Ossifraga, and Statilina were invoked to protect children at different stages of growth.

✅Games and amusements:

Younger children amused themselves with colorful rattles called crepitacula and crepundia, necklaces with noisy pendants.

Earthenware animal-shaped feeding troughs could be turned into rattles when emptied.

Older children played with terracotta or cloth animals, skipping ropes, kites, spinning tops, yo-yos, and dolls.

The dolls were made of wood, clay or ivory and always represented young women.

Nut games were so widespread that the expression “giving up nuts” indicated the transition to a later stage of childhood.

The game of trochus, in which a large hoop was pushed with a stick, was popular among boys and competitions were often held.

Ball games were common and the ball took on different names depending on the game: pila lusoria, pila trigonalis.

Children also used wooden, terracotta, or bronze carts, called plostrum or plostellum, to simulate competitions.

Toys and amusements accompanied children throughout childhood and were often laid in graves in the event of an untimely death.

The abandonment of toys, dedicated to the gods, marked the transition to adulthood.

✅Education:

🏺 Elementary education: Between the ages of four and six, children began to learn to read, write, and count.

In wealthy families, education was provided at home by Greek nurses or preceptors.

Children learned both Latin and Greek.

Public schools were run by private teachers who were paid by the families.

In Pompeii, there were public schools in the porticos of the Forum and the Palestra Grande.

Schoolmasters were often paid little and late.

Pupils learned the alphabet, reading, writing, and calculus.

The Roman numeral system was duodecimal and did not include the use of zero.

Calculations were performed with an abacus, and the results of major operations were learned by heart.

Teachers were responsible for the education and behavior of pupils and often resorted to corporal punishment with rods or ferula rods.

🏺Higher education: After elementary education, the education of the child was entrusted to the gramaticus.

Greek and Latin language and literature, history, geography, physics, and astronomy were studied.

Pupils learned to read and recite the texts of poets and historians, studying their metrics and style.

Exercises were both oral and written, and the teacher graded essays and organized public demonstrations.

Grammarians also often struggled financially.

Between the ages of twelve and fourteen, boys who wished to continue their studies could attend the schools of the rhetores, which specialized in oratory and eloquence.

The discentes practiced in oratorical contests, giving imaginary speeches to famous people (suasoriae) or defense harangues in fictitious trials (controversiae).

The more fortunate young men completed their education with a sojourn in Greece.

Teachers of higher education in Pompeii enjoyed high prestige and often engaged in electoral propaganda.

✅More information about childhood in Pompeii:

🏺Archaeological excavations have uncovered drawings of gladiators and hunting scenes made by children aged 5-7 years on the walls of a service courtyard in the Casa del Cenacolo Colonnato. These drawings suggest that children in Pompeii were exposed to extreme forms of violence from an early age.

✅Conclusions:

🏺The archaeology of Pompeii offers a fascinating insight into the lives of children and young people in ancient Rome. Thanks to the finds and evidence, we can reconstruct their games, education, rituals, and customs, offering a unique glimpse into a lost world.

#visitnaplesandamalficoast  #visitnaples #pompeii #children #withsal 

🏺Fashion in ancient Pompeii: Clothing, accessories and trends.

 🏛️🏺Fashion in ancient Pompeii: Clothing, accessories and trends.👡

Pompeii provides a valuable window into the daily lives of its inhabitants, including their fashion. Through the analysis of frescoes, sculptures, and textile remains, archaeologists have been able to reconstruct a fascinating picture of fashion clothing and accessories in Pompeii.🏛️

✅Clothing:

🏺The Toga: This draped garment, a symbol of Roman social status and citizenship, was reserved for formal occasions and men of high rank. The toga was made of white wool and its color and the width of the purple border (clavus) indicated the social position of the wearer.

🏺The Tunic: Simpler and more practical than the toga, the tunic was a basic garment worn by men, women and children. It could be of various lengths and colors, with short or long sleeves. The quality of the fabric and decorations indicated wealth and social status.

🏺Cloaks and Overcoats: Over the tunic, various types of cloaks and overcoats were worn, such as the paenula, lacerna, and sagum. These garments offered protection from the elements and could be made of wool, linen or leather.

🏺Clothing for Work: Sources reveal the use of specific clothing for different professions. For example, fabri tignarii, carpenters, used tools such as bronze and iron plumb line weights.

✅ Accessories:

🏺Footwear: Footwear in Pompeii varied according to gender, social status, and occasion. Options included calcei (closed shoes), sandals (soleae) and socci (house slippers).

🏺Jewelry: Pompeii's inhabitants, both men and women, valued jewelry as a symbol of wealth and beauty. Excavations have unearthed a variety of earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and brooches, made of gold, silver, bronze and precious stones.

🏺 Belts: Belts were a common accessory for both men and women. They could be made of leather or fabric, decorated with elaborate buckles, and were used to hold clothing in place or to carry small objects.

🏺 Bags and Saddlebags: Women often carried small cloth or leather bags to store personal items, while men used saddlebags to carry bulkier items.

🏺 Hair and Cosmetics: Hairstyles were an important aspect of fashion in Pompeii for both men and women. Women styled their hair in elaborate hairstyles, using braids, curls, and accessories such as ribbons (vittae), reticules (reticula), and pins (acus crinales). Men usually wore their hair short and groomed.

✅Fashion Trends:

Greek and Etruscan Influence: Fashion in Pompeii was influenced by Greek and Etruscan cultures, as evidenced by the use of the toga and tunic.

🏺Importance of Social Status: Clothing and accessories were an important way to communicate social status and wealth. The quality of fabrics, colors, decorations, and jewelry indicated an individual's social position.

🏺Personal Care: The people of Pompeii attached great importance to personal care. The baths were a place for social gatherings and personal hygiene.

🏺Evolution of Fashion: Fashion in Pompeii evolved over time, with the introduction of new styles and trends. For example, the wearing of beards became fashionable during the age of the Antonine emperors.

🏛️Conclusions:

Fashion in ancient Pompeii was a vibrant expression of the culture and society of the time. Through the analysis of clothing, accessories and trends, archaeologists have been able to reconstruct a detailed picture of how the inhabitants of this fascinating Roman city dressed and adorned themselves. The study of fashion in Pompeii continues to fascinate and provide valuable information about daily life in the past.

#fashion  #pompeii #visitnaplesandamalficoast  #visitnaples #withsal 

🏺 The House of the Faun

🏺🏛️House of Faun - the largest and one of the most magnificent private residences (domus) in pompeii - it clearly proclaimes the immense wealth and high social status of its owner, likely a member of the powerful Satria family . Its rooms, mosaics, gardens and architectural decorations tell us a story of power, wealth, artistic taste, architectural innovation and daily life.❤️

The House of the Faun in Pompeii is a spectacular example of a highly luxurious Roman home from the Republican era. It is massive, covering an entire city block (3,000 square meters), and is named for the bronze statuette of a dancing Faun (or Satyr) found in its atrium. The house is considered an unmissable archaeological site because of its grandeur, innovative architecture (like its two peristyles), and an extraordinary concentration of art, including the famous Alexander Mosaic.

🏺History and Origins

The House of the Faun in Pompeii started as a simpler dwelling in the 3rd century BC. It was later transformed around 120 B.C. into a lavish mansion—with features like two majestic peristyles—to display the immense wealth of its elite owner. Like the rest of the city, the house was buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD and uncovered during excavations in the 19th century, offering a remarkably preserved view of Roman life.

🏺Architecture and Structure of the House 

The complex was defined by its scale and features, including a Tuscan atrium, a second tetrastyle atrium, two large peristyles (the larger one having a vast inner garden), and approximately 30 rooms for living, dining, and service. A major sign of the family's economic power was the private domestic bath complex (complete with tepidarium and calidarium). The house was architecturally designed for dramatic display, featuring an extraordinary, column-free ceiling in the central atrium that provided a breathtaking, uninterrupted view from the entrance all the way through the reception room to the inner gardens.

🏺The Mosaic of the Battle of Issus (Alexander Mosaic) 

The Alexander Mosaic (or "Battle of Issus Mosaic") is a monumental masterpiece of 1,5 million tiny tiles (opus vermiculatum), originally found in the House of the Faun in Pompeii. It dramatically depicts the decisive clash between Alexander the Great and the Persian King Darius III. The original mosaic, known for its incredible artistic refinement like the soldier's face reflected in a shield, is now located in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. It is a copy of a famous Greek painting from the 4th century , which was probably lost even in ancient times and was placed in a prominent exedra to celebrate the owner's high social status and cultural prestige.

🏺Pictorial  Decorations and Furnishings

The House of the Faun in Pompeii was the lavish home of a wealthy, sophisticated family who used decorations—like the immense Battle of Issus mosaic, smaller delicate mosaics (cat/rooster, doves/pearls), and the Dancing Faun statuette—to reflect their economic power and deep appreciation for Hellenistic art and culture. The faun  was placed in the impluvium of the central atrium and still, not in the centre of the pool, as we see it today, but on the edge, raised on a small pedestal to give the figure greater prominence (a copy of the Dancing Faun can be seen in the house; the original is housed in the National Museum)

🏺 The Allure of Roman Culture

Visiting the House of the Faun in Pompeii means observing the remains of an ancient building and getting in touch with a way of life from far back in time. Here, you will be able to perceive the importance of hospitality, an appreciation for beauty, domestic religiosity, and the daily rituals of a large family at the time. The house was not just a refuge, but a place of representation, a tool for expressing power, prestige and culture. Its architecture, decorations, rich mosaics, and sculptures document the Romans’ ability to create environments where art, nature, and practical function blended harmoniously.

🏺 The House of the Faun: An Emblem of Pompeii

In the vast panorama of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, the House of the Faun has become a symbol of the luxury and elegance achieved by the city in its heyday. Many travel guides, brochures, and websites dedicated to archaeological tourism in Pompeii cite it as one of the most beautiful and significant residences to visit. Its success and popularity are due to the presence of unique artefacts, such as the mosaic of the Battle of Issus, and the state of preservation that still allows one to admire the general plan and perceive the opulence of the original furnishings.

🏺The Role of the House of the Faun in Understanding Roman Civilisation

The House of the Faun is not simply an archaeological monument, but an extraordinary educational tool for understanding how Roman society developed in a city of ancient Campania. We can infer the owner’s role in the community, culture, and ambitions through its structures and decorations. We can imagine the religious rites performed in the lararium, the conversations in the reception hall, the slow steps of those who strolled under the colonnades, perhaps discussing politics, trade or literature.

Those who visit this domus do not just see mere stones and columns, but gain awareness of the past and better understand the complex web of social and cultural relationships that made the Roman Empire one of the most influential in the ancient world.

🏺 What to Expect from the Visit

The House of the Faun in Pompeii represents one of the milestones in understanding the level of splendour achieved by the city before the catastrophe of 79 AD. Walking through its spaces allows one to observe Roman architectural genius, aesthetic sensibility, the relationship with the Hellenic world, and the extraordinary skill of local craftsmen. The mosaics, frescoes, sculptures, opus sectile floors, elegant columns of the peristyles, the variety of interior spaces, and the complexity of the building layout are elements that transform the visit into an evocative journey through time.

Those who are not experts in Roman archaeology will still appreciate the beauty and complexity of the House of the Faun. The complex’s overall refinement does not require extensive knowledge. Anyone will find in this domus a place where the imagination can reconstruct moments of daily life: a banquet in the triclinium with friends and clients, a walk in the inner garden, the contemplation of a mosaic, possibly engaging in discussions of politics or philosophy.

If you are still pondering what to see in Pompeii, the House of the Faun is a valid reason to put this destination at the top of your list. Walking into the same domus that over two thousand years ago hosted banquets, political meetings, religious celebrations, and private moments is unique. The eruption of Vesuvius stopped time, preserving a heritage of inestimable historical and artistic value.

🏺Conclusion

The House of the Faun in Pompeii is one of the jewels of the excavations, an extraordinary testimony to the past that still knows how to speak to the modern visitor. Its rooms, mosaics, gardens and architectural decorations tell us a story of power, wealth, artistic taste, architectural innovation and daily life. To include a visit to the House of the Faun in your discovery of the ancient ruins of Pompeii is to add an essential tile to the mosaic of knowledge of Roman civilisation, enriching your experience of archaeological tourism in Pompeii.

If you wish to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a Roman city of the 1st century AD, perceive the grandeur and refinement of an elite family, appreciate extraordinary works of ancient art, and better understand what to see in Pompeii. The House of the Faun is a must-see on your itinerary. Thanks to the beauty, complexity and historical importance of this dwelling, your visit to the Pompeii Archaeological Park will become a lasting memory, a journey through time that will enrich your mind and spirit.

#visitnaplesandamalficoast  #visitnaples  #pompeii  #withsal

☠️👄Naples 1562 - Public Kissing Banned by Law and Became Punishable by Death.......🪦

 ☠️👄Naples 1562 -  Public Kissing  Banned by Law and Became Punishable by Death.......🪦

🪶Historical Control of Public Intimacy

✅In Naples, Italy, on March 9, 1562, the ruling institutions imposed an extreme measure of social control: public kissing was outlawed and instantly became a capital offense. 

✅ Any couple seen by authorities faced the death penalty as punishment. This severe decree was issued amidst fears over public health (the black  plague) and declining morale, though it proved ineffective in slowing the disease's spread across Europe.

✅This Neapolitan law was an early, harsh example of how the control of sexual relations has frequently intersected with censorship. Much earlier, in Great Britain in 1439, King Henry VI also used his royal authority to prohibit kissing throughout his kingdom, explicitly as a desperate measure to halt the advance of a spreading disease.

✅The motivation shifted dramatically by 1910 in France, where authorities banned kissing within train stations. Here, the ban wasn't rooted in morality or illness, but in logistical efficiency, as public displays of affection were deemed to be delaying the means of transport.

#visitnaples #visitnaplesandamalficoast #withsal  #history

🏺🏛️The "Villa of the Mysteries" 2nd century BC - Pompeii

🏺🏛️The "Villa of the Mysteries" 2nd century BC - Pompeii 🍇

✅Why Villa of mistery ?  

It is called that because of its famous well preserved frescoes (megalographia)

The triclinium of the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii is frescoed with a large painting covering all three walls of the room depicting a mystery ritual in ten sequences, 17 metres long and 3 metres high.

The central part of the painting features Dionysus together with his bride Ariadne. It has been assumed that the latter most probably depicts an initiation rite. While on the side walls are depicted fauns, maenads, female figures and winged figures engaged in the performance of certain rituals.

📍Location 

The Villa of the Mysteries is located outside the walls of Pompeii to the north of the city, on a hillock that in ancient times enjoyed a splendid view directly over the Gulf of Naples.

It remained buried along with the rest of the city of Pompeii for nearly 2,000 years under a thick blanket of ash and lapilli. When in 79 A.D. a violent and catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius caused the destruction of many Vesuvian cities, including Pompeii.

The eruption was preceded by several premonitory signs, such as seismic tremors, fumaroles, and small earthquakes, but people at the time could not understand what was about to happen.

Over the course of two days, volcanic ash and stones poured over the city of Pompeii, burying houses, streets, and the people who lived there. The eruption was so violent and devastating that Pompeii remained buried under the ash until it was discovered in 1748.

Among these discoveries is precisely the Villa of the Mysteries, one of the most beautiful and richest villas in Pompeii.

🏛️The Villa

The villa initially had a residential character and was later transformed, after the earthquake of 62, into a rustic villa. Used for the production and sale of wine, with the installation of wine presses used for pressing grapes.

It is one of the largest and most luxurious dwellings in Pompeii. Famous above all for the wonderful paintings on the walls found in the triclinium area, from which the Villa of the Mysteries takes its name.

🏛️The structure of the Villa of Mysteries

The Villa rested on an embankment supported by a cryptoporticus with blind arcades, which was used in ancient times as a storage area. It was accessed via a side road and the entrance was located in the rustic area of the Villa, leading to the various servile rooms, such as the kitchen, bakery and oven.

The Villa of the Mysteries was immense with numerous cubiculae, a peristyle with sixteen columns, a major atrium without columns but finely decorated on the walls, a tablinum frescoed with black walls and small Egyptian-inspired paintings, and a veranda overlooking the sea.

But the most valuable area of the entire Villa was the triclinium (the dining room) overlooking the sea.

🏺The findings

During the excavations, numerous artifacts were found, especially in the rustic part of the dwelling.

Including a winepress later reconstructed with a ram's head that was used for pressing grapes. And the statue of Livia dressed as a priestess, now preserved in the Antiquarium.

#villaofthemistery  #pompeii #visitnaplesandamalficoast #visitnaples #withsal 

🏺House of Horchard or Casa del Frutteto - Pompeii 🌳

🏺House of Horchard or Casa del Frutteto - Pompeii 🌳

✅ It is considered one of the most beautiful houses on Via dell’Abbondanza, and takes its name from the fine frescoes that adorn its walls depicting gardens with ornamental trees and plants with such detail and precision that it’s possible to easily recognize the species depicted: lemons, strawberry trees, pears, cherry trees, plums.

✅The house probably belonged to 🏺House of horchard or Casa del Frutteto - Pompeii 🌳

✅ It is considered one of the most beautiful houses on Via dell’Abbondanza, and takes its name from the fine frescoes that adorn its walls depicting gardens with ornamental trees and plants with such detail and precision that it’s possible to easily recognize the species depicted: lemons, strawberry trees, pears, cherry trees, plums.

✅The house probably belonged to a wealthy vintner. During excavations, several amphorae used to contain wine were found in the garden of the house. Among the utensils, there was also a large kettle, which the Romans used to heat the water to mix with wine.

✅Paintings depicting gardens were very common in Pompeii, but always in the areas devoted to welcoming and entertaining guests; on the contrary, in this house the paintings are found in the private rooms.

✅the colors of the frescoes are even more vivid by an innovative LED lighting that eliminate all wave bands that could modify the natural beauty of the frescoes.

#pompeii #houseofhorchard  #withsal  #visitnaples #visitnaplesandamalficoast . During excavations, several amphorae used to contain wine were found in the garden of the house. Among the utensils, there was also a large kettle, which the Romans used to heat the water to mix with wine.

✅Paintings depicting gardens were very common in Pompeii, but always in the areas devoted to welcoming and entertaining guests; on the contrary, in this house the paintings are found in the private rooms.

✅the colors of the frescoes are even more vivid by an innovative LED lighting that eliminate all wave bands that could modify the natural beauty of the frescoes.

#pompeii #houseofhorchard  #withsal  #visitnaples #visitnaplesandamalficoast 

🏺 🏛️Among many things Stepping stones and natural reflectors made Pompeii a modern and futuristic city for its era.

 🏺 🏛️Among many things Stepping stones and natural reflectors made Pompeii a modern  and futuristic city for its era. The preserved ruins show a level of urban planning and infrastructure that was incredibly advanced, far surpassing that of many European cities well into the Middle Ages.🚶🏻👀

✅  Prior to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, and consequently being buried under volcanic ash, the ancient Roman city of Pompeii was a thriving place. The vibrant settlement played a critical role in trade; thus, its 15,000 inhabitants lived in impressively modern conditions for the era. When tourists visit the site today, they are able to see the preserved ruins of a well-planned city that accounted for its citizens' needs.

✅This ancient innovation is particularly evident when looking at how roads were built in Pompeii. One of the most noticeable features on the streets is the series of large raised stones placed in strategic locations. 

✅ These prominent stepping stones acted as ancient crosswalks. Not only did they allow people to cross the street without touching the water and mud sitting on ground level, but they were also spaced wide enough so that carriage wheels could pass through without issue.

✅ Natural reflectors were also incorporated into some of the roads in the form of small white stones. These paler rocks were set among the larger slabs to help people find their way at night. The moon would reflect on the stones, creating enough light for people to be able to see.

✅Drainage was also particularly important since most homes in Pompeii had no direct sewer connection. Refuse was washed into the street, making these stepping stones critical. Raised sidewalks with drainage also allowed people to move freely without putting their feet in sewage.

🍀Innovations like these make Pompeii a fascinating place to visit and a wonderful example of ancient Roman urban planning.

#visitnaplesandamalficoast  #visitnaples #steppingstones #pompeii #withsal 

🏺🏛️Fullery of Stephanus (laundry)

 🏺🏛️Fullery of Stephanus (laundry) at Pompeii. He was a Greek freedman who made his fortune cleaning clothes , who died during the eruption in 79 AD while trying to escape with the latest collections🧔‍♂️🧥

🏺The Follonica of Stephanus (also called Fullery of Stephanus) is one of the most important and complete laundries found in Pompeii where manufactured cloth was washed and stain removed. 

🏺Stephanus' laundry was built just after the earthquake of 62 AD, transforming a private house into a modern factory. At the centre of the atrium of the ancient domus, the impluvium was converted into a tub for washing.

🏺This production facility, designed for the washing of dirty laundry and degreasing fabric that had just been threaded, was built in the last stage of the life of the city, transforming the structure from an original house to an atrium. 

🏺A large bath was placed at the centre of the atrium, instead of the impluvium, and a skylight was placed instead of the previous compluvium so as to use the upper part as a terrace to dry the laundry and other baths were placed in the garden, at the back of the house. When the excavators exposed the fullery (laundry) a skeleton was found near the entrance, which bore a hoard of coins. 

🏺Based on electoral inscriptions it is supposed that Stephanus was the owner of the fullery, who died during the eruption in 79 AD while trying to escape with the latest collections.

🏺The collaborators of Stephanus, almost all slaves, had to tread on fabrics and clothes for hours, placed under a liquid containing human and animal urine, collected in pots placed along the streets, which were meant to treat the fabrics.

Date of excavation: 1912-1913

💰The Tax Connection: Pecunia non olet 

The demand for urine was so high that it became a publicly collected resource. Emperor Vespasian (reigned 69–79 CE) famously instituted a tax on the collection and distribution of this urine. When his son Titus complained about the vulgar nature of the tax, Vespasian reportedly held up a coin and said, "Pecunia non olet" (Money doesn't smell), a phrase still used today. This official taxation confirms the fullers' industry was a major, government-regulated sector of the economy.

🦉The Fullers' Guild Power 

The fullones (fullers) were a powerful professional guild. The best evidence for this in Pompeii is the Eumachia Building in the Forum, one of the most magnificent structures in the city. It was built by the priestess Eumachia and dedicated to Concordia and Pietas, but the dedication inscription was made in her name and that of the fullers' guild. This suggests the fullers either funded the building's dedication or were important enough to be publicly associated with a wealthy elite patron. This shows their collective political and social influence.

✅ Location: Fullery of Stephanus  is located in Pompeii, specifically along the Via dell'Abbondanza.

#pompeii #visitnaplesandamalficoast #visitnaples #withsal #fullery

💀 The Church of Santa Luciella

💀🙏The Church of Santa Luciella  It was founded shortly before 1327 (14th century)  . Mystery and faith in the Heart of Naples and the legend of the skull with ears.....🦻🏻🪦

 ✅ It was closed and abandoned for over 30 years after the 1980 earthquake. It was reopened to the public in 2019 thanks to the efforts of the cultural association "Respiriamo Arte."

✅ The Church of Santa Luciella is located in the heart of Naples’ historic center, near San Gregorio Armeno. It’s a small Baroque gem dating back to the 14th century, known for its evocative atmosphere and for housing the famous “skull with ears,” a symbol of the cult of souls in Purgatory. After years of neglect, it has been restored and is now open to visitors thanks to the efforts of cultural associations. Its charm lies in the deep connection with Neapolitan popular tradition, rich in faith, mystery, and devotion.

The legend of the skull with ears

But what makes this church so special? What’s the “superstar” of Santa Luciella? No doubt about it—it’s Lucia  the famous skull with ears, preserved in the church’s catacombs.

 ✨ According to local legend:

✅  The ears were used to "hear" the prayers of the living

✅  It was a “special” skull, able to communicate with the afterlife

✅  It listened to requests, hopes, and even gave out winning lottery numbers 

This unique form of pagan devotion is part of the legendary cult of the “capuzzelle”, or anime pezzentelle—abandoned souls adopted by the faithful in exchange for protection.

✅ Here’s what to expect:

- The baroque altar and 18th-century frescoes

- The crypt, carved into the tuff rock, housing dozens of skulls

-  Mysterious Masonic symbols etched into the walls

✅ A little curiosity: 

👁️‍🗨️ The church is dedicated to Saint Lucia, the patron saint of sight. This is because the church was historically the seat of the ancient corporation of pipernieri—master artisans who carved piperno, a very hard volcanic stone. They venerated St. Lucia to protect their eyesight from stone splinters.

💀The church's main draw is the crypt (hypogeum), which houses the famous "Skull with Ears."

💀The Cult of the poor souls : The skull was deeply venerated as part of the Neapolitan "Cult of the Anime Pezzentelle," or the poor/abandoned souls in Purgatory. People would "adopt" an unknown skull (or capuzzella) from a common grave, care for it, and pray for its soul to be relieved of its suffering and ascend to Heaven. In return, the grateful soul would intercede with God to grant the faithful a grace or favor.

💀Special Significance: The "Skull with Ears" was particularly sought after because devotees believed that, having ears, it would be exceptionally adept at hearing and conveying their prayers and petitions to the afterlife.

💒The church is a powerful example of the profound and unique relationship between the living and the dead in Neapolitan culture, seen also in other sites like the Cimitero delle Fontanelle and the Complesso di Santa Maria delle Anime del Purgatorio ad Arco.

💒 It is now generally open for guided visits  , which are organized by the association that restored it. It's advisable to check the most current hours and booking information before visiting.

- Chiesa di Santa Luciella

- Address: Via Santa Luciella, 5 – just a short walk from San Gregorio Armeno

- On foot: from the “Dante”  metro stop, it’s less than a 15-minute walk

- Tours: guided only, in small groups. I recommend booking in advance through the official Respiriamo Arte website

- Ticket: at the entrance

Good reason to visit 

If you're visiting Naples and want to dive into the city’s most authentic soul, Santa Luciella is exactly what you’re looking for.

✅ A light against darkness—physical and spiritual

✅ A protector from invisible evils

✅ An intercessor during life’s most difficult moments

🙏  A centuries-old cult that perfectly reflects the ever-present blend of sacred and profane that defines Naples.

🏺 🐍 Lararium from the House of the Vetti - the shrine to the gods of the pompeians 🏛️⭐

🏺🐍  Lararium from the House of the Vetti - the shrine to the gods of the pompeians and all the rituals 🏛️⭐

Lararia are shrines to the gods of the household, dedicated to the Lares, the household deities, and sometimes other protective spirits.

Theere are different shapes and forms in many Pompeian houses, ranging from simple wall-paintings to large and elaborate shrines. 

Here, the lararium imitates the form of a temple. Columns support a pediment, and frame a central painting. 

✅Two dancing lares (guardians of the family, who protect the household from external threats) hold raised drinking  cornucopias, a symbol of abundance

They are positioned on either side of the  Genius

✅ Genius (who represents the spirit of the male head of the household), who is dressed in a toga and making a sacrifice.

✅ Beneath them all is a serpent. 

Snakes (Agathodaemon) are often depicted in lararia, and were considered guardian spirits of the family and symbolizes fertility and protection.

👬🏽Vettii brothers 

The Lararium  in the House of the Vettii is exceptionally famous for a few key reasons:The Owners' Status: It belonged to the Vettii brothers, Aulus Vettius Conviva and Aulus Vettius Restitutus , who were freedmen (former slaves). Their immense wealth, demonstrated by this lavish house and lararium, provides a unique, highly decorated window into the domestic life and religion of an ambitious, newly elite class.

✅  What  Pompeian  familes  were  placing on that altar to venerate the gods ?

 🍇 Wine (Vinum) : Would be the top choice due to its near-universal use in Roman ritual   This is perhaps the most essential and ubiquitous liquid offering. Wine was a staple of Roman life and was used in virtually all religious ceremonies, both public and private. A small amount of wine would be poured out as a dedication before a meal began.

🥛 Milk (Lac)  : A simple, pure, and common liquid, especially associated with offerings to the  and the ancestors, as it was considered a respectful, non-luxurious tribute.

 🫒Oil ( Oleum ) : While sometimes mixed with wine, oil was a fundamental product of the Mediterranean world, used for cooking, lighting, and bathing. A small offering of the house's supply would be a natural act of thanks and dedication.

💦 Water (Aqua) : Although perhaps less often mentioned than wine or milk for formal libations, water is the ultimate necessity. A simple, pure offering of water could be made, symbolizing life and purity.

🫐 Figs, Dates, Pine cones, Grape seeds, and whole Eggs were common

🐷 Symbolic items: Items were placed on the altar to represent significant life events, such as a boy's first beard or a young girl's doll for a wedding. A pig's head or ham was also found on some altars. 

#visitnaplesandamalficoast  #visitnaples  #pompeii  #withsal 

🏃‍♀️‍➡️ Amalfi to Pogerola (Valle delle Ferriere) - 8,5 km - Moderate

🏃‍♀️‍➡️💪🏼 Amalfi to Pogerola (Valle delle Ferriere) -  8,5 km - Moderate ❤️

✅ Valle delle Ferriere is a beautiful nature reserve that should not be missed if visiting the Amalfi Coast. This valley, located in the heart of Amalfi, offers a pristine setting of lush greenery, waterfalls, and rocky cliffs that form a breathtaking landscape.

This guide will provide all the essential details needed to plan your Valle delle Ferriere hiking trip so you can make the most out of your journey.

✅ VALLE DELLE FERRIERE TRAIL INFORMATION

🔵 Distance: 8.5km

🔵 Elevation Gain: 600m

🔵 Route: Loop

🔵 Difficulty: Moderate

🔵 Washrooms: Pogerola restaurant: Trattoria da Rispoli

✅  BEST TIME TO VISIT VALLE DELLE FERRIERE

Valle delle Ferriere is a year-round destination. The temperatures during spring are pleasant, ranging from 10°C to 20°C, making it perfect for hiking.

Summers may reach 25°C to 30°C but the Valle is deep in the mountains and primarily covered in thick forest, making the hike more tolerable.

Fall and winters are mild, but receive more rainfall throughout the year, causing trails and stairs to become muddy and sometimes tricky to navigate.

I visited during the month of March. The weather was perfect, hovering around 15 degrees, with endless sunshine. The trail was quiet, as the high season in Amalfi was a few months out. If you want the trail to yourself, without the crowds, I'd recommend visiting in the spring.

✅ HIKING PRECAUTIONS

This trail has a significant elevation gain and decent. Most of the gains and losses are completed by stone staircases. Even for a seasoned hiker, these staircases are very tiring and can be a tad bit slippery.

I wouldn't recommend this trail for those with knee, hips issues or vertigo. The stairs are wider than normal, allowing for two footsteps per stair. I found this more challenging as I would have a dominant foot always landing on the stairs, tiring me out quicker.

✅ HOW TO GET TO VALLE DELLE FERRIERE TRAILHEAD

Situating yourself in any of the small towns along the Amalfi Coast will make the journey to the trailhead easy and convenient. The Valle delle Ferriere trailhead begins in the center of the town of Amalfi on Via Lorenzo D'Amalfi.

I stayed in the main square of Amalfi and was steps away from the trailhead.

If you aren't based in Amalfi, buses run frequently between the small towns including Ravello, Praiano and Positano.

From Positano, the journey takes around 40-50 minutes and costs 4-5 euros for a return trip.

Taking a ferry along the coast is also possible during the high season from mid-April to October. Ferry rides from Positano take around 25 minutes and cost 11 euros per way. Plan your ferry route here.

✅ AMALFI TO VALLE DELLE FERRIERE

From the Piazza del Duomo (the main square), proceed up Via Lorenzo D'Amalfi. This is the main road through the small town of Amalfi and can be congested, especially during high season. Both pedestrians, motor bikes, and vehicles share the narrow road. I was surprised to see cars trying to navigate through this busy area.

One of the striking features in Amalfi is the Duomo Sant'Andrea  di Amalfi, a giant catholic cathedral. Towering over the main square, this cathedral was first constructed in the 9th century and has been expanded over the centuries.

- From the cathedral, the path continues along the main road for another 700 meters. This route passes along hotels, colourful souvenir shops selling lemon inspired trinkets, restaurants, and other high end clothing stores.

One the road passes through a red building with a miniature village on the left hand side, the congestion dies down.

- Continue along until you reach the Museo della Carta on the left-hand side. This museum is dedicated to ancient art of paper making in Amalfi. It includes a gift shop, and you can have the opportunity to make your own paper.

Access to the Valle is located across the road from the museum on the right-hand side. Take the road (Via Leone Comite Orso) and immediately turn left. From here, you will ditch the road and start your climb into the Valle delle Ferriere.

✅ VALLE DELLE FERRIERE TO POGEROLA

This next section is only for foot traffic, so expect a quieter journey. From here, the trail will be a mixture of stone stair pathways, moving along the mountainside of Amalfi and into the Valle. Amalfi is known for its picturesque town and its lemon trees.

- Unlike the traditional sour lemons, Amalfi lemons are larger and sweet. The trail passes by several lemon groves, with the sweet scent emitting in the air around you.

- One interesting thing about this route is the abandoned iron and water mills located throughout the mountainside. You could spend a few minutes catching your breath exploring the buildings. As I was hiking by myself and didn't do the research of the trail beforehand, I did not venture through the buildings too far.

- There are many little waterfalls and streams throughout the journey. Fill up your water bottle if you have run out of water by this point. After climbing as many stairs as you will, the water was both necessary and refreshing.

- At 3km, there will be an optional route towards the Valle delle Ferriere. At the time of hiking, this route was unattended and closed to the public. This trail will lead for another 0.3km (0.6km return) to a massive waterfall and walk through more gorgeous scenery. The price to access this area is 5 euros.

- Back on the main trail, the next 2km will venture through thick forests and curve towards the town of Pogerola. The path continues to climb in elevation but it's gradual. I found this route was a little difficult to navigate as the path was overgrown in certain areas. The terrain is a mix of dirt and rocky pathways.

- Follow the red and/or white markers located on trees and rocks. There are many little paths throughout the Valle, so having a map like AllTrails is recommended. Overall, I found the trail markers in the Amalfi coast were far and few.

- The trail begins to descend at approximately 5km. The stone stairs are a very popular pathway around the Amalfi Coast. They are often covered in moss and leaves, adding to the rustic and timeless impression the area gives off.

✅ POGEROLA TO AMALFI

- The small hamlet of Pogerola is a great place to stop for lunch, as it's on route. This once fortress town, towers over the coast and the town of Amalfi. I'd recommend eating at Trattoria da Rispoli. The views alone are worth visiting the restaurant. Fresh homemade pastas, fish and sausages are part of this delicious menu.

- Either head down towards the coast through Pogerola or continue along the path towards Amalfi. I chose to return via Amalfi. The last 2km drop over 200m in elevation through several winding rocky stairwells.

This trail will return to flat ground, ending in Amalfi and reconnects with Via Lorenzo D'Amalfi at 8km.

✅ FURTHER EXPLORING

When you are finished with the hike head towards Piazza Flavio Gioia.

Around here you will be able to venture a bit further and explore along the coastline and boardwalk.

One of Amalfi's beaches is located beside the bus terminal. Grab a gelato or a pastry at pasticceria Pansa  and lounge on the small yet picturesque beach.

Follow the road past the ferry port, for a scenic route along the waterfront. This area provides some of the best views of Amalfi.

If you have extra time, take a bus towards Praiano and attempt the beautiful Path of the Gods walk towards Positano.

#visitnaplesandamalficoast  #pogerola #amalfi #valledelleferriere #visitnaples #withsal 

🏺 💔 “The Two Maidens” of Pompeii are men (house of criptoporticus - Pompeii )

🏺💔 “The Two Maidens” of Pompeii are men....trapped in an eternal embrace that lasts 2000 years . Some news stories have leapt to the conclusion that they were therefore lovers....🌋 (house of criptoporticus - Pompeii ) 🔥

✅  An ongoing project to  scan the plaster casts of the victims of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. has revealed that the cast of two embracing figures known as The Two Maidens are in fact men. The skeletal remains of the couple and the cavity in the volcanic rock left by the decay of their soft tissues were discovered in the garden of the House of the Cryptoporticus in a 1914 excavation overseen by Pompeii’s director of works Vittorio Spinazzola. The remains of eight people were found in that little peristyle garden, two of them in 1913, the rest between July 2nd and 21st of 1914.

✅  All eight were found in the fine ash layer that followed the pumice fall, encased by the pyroclastic flow that covered the town. Plaster casts were made of three of the eight (the right conditions for creating the casts are rare; out of more than 1,100 human remains found at Pompeii, casts have been made of only 86 of them), with particular attention paid to the more complex problem of the couple. The Two Maidens were erroneously assumed to be women because of their posture and the shapeliness of their legs. Here is how Spinazzola described the find in the yearly report on the excavation 

 ✅ "One of the fallen lies on the left side, the head pointing to the east and the legs, a bit contracted, to the west. The left hand is folded near the head, in the ashes, and the right is under the chin as if to push away something obstructing the mouth and preventing breathing. The other person is bent on the right side with his head on the breast of the first. And this pose against the abdomen of the first fallen, the right arm buried in the ashes, the left gently bent under the breasts, the legs with full and tender female contours, one more, one less contracted, as of someone sweetly reclining to sleep an eternal sleep in a protective womb."

✅ Apparently seeking comfort in the face of apocalyptic death was deemed to be a feminine impulse rather than a human one. The supposed “female contours” of the legs and later descriptions of “little rings” found on the fingers were extensions of that assumption.

✅ Examination of osteological and morphological features on the CAT scan indicates that both individuals are male and that the individual with his head against the chest of the other was a young man about 18 years old at the time of death. The other person is believed to be an adult male who was at least 20 years old when Vesuvius claimed his life. Mitochondrial DNA extracted from one tooth and bone fragments established conclusively that the younger of the two was male. DNA analysis confirmed that the two were neither brothers nor father and son. Some news stories have leapt to the conclusion that they were therefore lovers, which is not remotely supportable by the evidence and seems to me just another iteration of the same prejudices that caused the original Two Maidens error.

✅ The scans are part of the Great Pompeii Project, an extensive program of architectural restoration and stabilization of the most endangered features of the ancient city. The 86 human casts, the oldest of which date to the 1860s when pioneering archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli first filled a cavity with plaster to capture the final death throes of one of Vesuvius’ victims, are in need of restoration as much as the buildings are, and they pose a thorny challenge since they contain human remains. In order to get a clear idea of what’s inside the plaster shell — bones, metal supports, more plaster in varying states of decay — conservators borrowed a state-of-the-art 16-layer CT scanner that was able to penetrate the dense materials.

✅ With the scans as guides, the team was able to extract mitochondrial DNA (which survives far better than nuclear DNA in archaeological contexts) from the skeletal remains with pinpoint precision and minimal damage. This opens up a whole new arena of information about the people of Pompeii.

#visitnaplesandamalficoast  #pompeii  #visitnaples  #withsal 

💀 🔱The Boathouses at Herculaneum, Intense heat and volcanic ash killed hundreds in a brief moment🔥🏛️

 💀 🔱The Boathouses at Herculaneum...Intense heat and volcanic ash killed hundreds in a brief moment🔥🏛️

  ✅Approximately 300 to 340 skeletons were found in the boathouses of Herculaneum, where people had gathered to shelter during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. They were killed by the intense heat of a pyroclastic flow that reached the waterfront, rather than the initial ash fall. 

✅ Details : Among the bodies was found a mother comforting her young son, and a ‘Lady with the rings’, so called because of the rings and precious jewels found around her. There was also the remains of a pregnant mother, with the tiny bones of her seven-month-old fetus beneath her. The skeleton of a man clutching a small leather bag (believed to hold his valuable items) was also found.

💀 Cause of death : The victims were trapped in the boathouses while waiting for rescue, but they were overtaken by the intense heat of the pyroclastic surges. The heat was so extreme that it vaporized their soft tissues, leaving behind only skeletal remains. 

💀 Evidence of the impact: The skeletons provide a testament to the eruption's power. Some show signs of sudden death, such as shattered bones and shattered teeth, while others, particularly those on the exposed beach, were instantly killed by thermal shock. 

#herculaneum  #boathouses #visitnaplesandamalficoast  #visitnaples #withsal 

🏃‍➡️ Hiking The Path of the Gods From Praiano to Positano

🏃‍➡️💪 Hiking The Path of the Gods From Praiano  to Positano

The Path of the Gods is one of the most popular hiking routes along Italy's stunning Amalfi Coast. The hike, also referred to as Sentiero degil Dei, is a point to point trail that hugs the coastline, providing views of breathtaking vistas, rugged cliffs, and terraced vineyards.

This public transit friendly trail connects many of the smaller towns along the coast and is rich is history. This comprehensive guide from Praiano to Positano will outline transport options, various routes, and helpful tips along the way.

PATH OF THE GODS TRAIL INFORMATION

Distance: 11.2km

Elevation Gain: ~500m

Trail Type: Point to Point

Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Washroom Facilities: In Nocelle near viewpoint Belvedere di Santa Croce

✅ ALTERNATIVE ROUTES: THE CLASSIC ROUTE

The classic Path of the Gods trail starts in Bomerano (near Agerola) and ends around Nocelle. Most people get a taxi from Nocelle and make their way down to Positano. This 8km point to point hike is mostly downhill and considered easy/moderate. There are of course multiple extensions to add to this hike, all varying in degrees of difficulty.

At the time of hiking, the road to Bomerano was not accessible. This hiking guide will cover how to connect to the Classic Route from Praiano and continue all the way to Positano by foot.

✅ PATH OF THE GODS HIKING TOURS

If the idea of sorting out the logistics still causes you anxiety or if you are only visiting for one day, I'd recommend booking a guided tour from Sorrento or surrounding areas.

The Amalfi Coast and Path of the Gods trail has a rich history, that would otherwise be missed without a knowledgeable guide. Tours can range from a few hours to an entire day.

✅ THE BEST TIME TO HIKE THE PATH OF THE GODS

The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast and hike the Path of the Gods is during the early spring (March to May) and autumn (September to early October). Temperatures will hover around 15-20 degrees Celsius, making for an enjoyable hiking experience. Keep in mind, some services (ferries and buses) may not run as frequently in the early spring.

While the summer months of June to August can provide endless sunshine and swimming opportunities, this time of year tends to be crowded, overpriced and hot for hiking.

I visited the Amalfi Coast in late March and had pleasant temperatures and sunshine throughout.

✅ HOW TO GET TO PRAIANO FROM AMALFI

The seaside town of Amalfi is the perfect place to base yourself for this hike. Conveniently located along the coast, Amalfi is the transport hub that connects all the smaller and larger towns together.

Buses run frequently from Amalfi to Salerno, Sorrento, and everywhere in between. The main bus stop is in the town square near the ferries (Comune Di Amalfi) on Via Lungomare dei Cavalieri.

Bus tickets can be purchased at Tabacchi shops. There is one located across the roundabout in the Piazza Flavio Gioia square.

I highly recommend buying return tickets at the time of purchase, as the shops hours are sporadic. Many times, in the late afternoon I encountered closed shops. I was able to buy a return ticket on one bus, but I do not think it's a common practice.

Bus Route: Amalfi-Positano-Sorrento SITA SUD

Price: 2.50 EUR

Duration: 25 minutes

Bus Stop: #7 Praiano, SS 163 (Junction Vettica)

✅  FINDING THE PATH OF THE GODS TRAILHEAD

Trail markers are far and few on this route. After getting off at the main bus stop #7 in Praiano you will have the option of heading to the trailhead in either direction.

OPTION 1: If you are facing the bus stop, there is a sign (on the right hand side) indicating "Sentiero degil Dei" that travels up Via Guglielmo Macroni. The trailhead can be found 900 meters from the bus stop across from Locanda degli Dei, on Via Costantinopoli.

It will eventually lead you up the cliffside, before reconnecting with the original classic route from Bomerano. I did not choose this route as it added additional elevation and length.

OPTION 2: Facing the bus stop, head left up Via Gennaro) for 50 meters. There will be a few shops including Ceramiche da Mario. Beside this store is a hidden staircase (Via Francesco Russo) that will lead to the trailhead, eventually re connecting to the Bomerano path.

I chose this route, as it involved hiking on less roads with traffic and had a slightly lower elevation gain.

 ✅ THE CLIMB FROM PRAIANO TO NOCELLE

The gradual climb begins through the backstreets of Praiano for 550 meters. Turn left onto Via Costaninopoli and follow the route to Via Croce. From here, the path will leave the neighborhood and begin the steep ascent through a series of stone staircases.

This climb continues for 3km and gains over 400 meters in elevation. This is by far the most difficult part of the route, but luckily most of it is shaded.

Around 2.5km, the path will lead past Convent of San Domenico. This church is an excellent spot to enjoy the beautiful views and rest your legs.

From the church, you will be able to see where you need to go to reconnect to the original route at the top of the exposed ridge. The path however is not the clearest and you may have to venture slightly off trail to reconnect. The terrain will become rockier and steeper in sections. Once on the classic trail, the route becomes much easier to navigate.

The rocky ridgeline provides excellent views of the Gulf of Salerno and is fully exposed to the elements. As you proceed further, views of the pastel-coloured town of Positano will become visible in the distance. The beach in the distance is the final stop on this hike and is worth the challenging ascent and descent.

The trail will continue to walk along the ridge and skip back and forth into some small, wooded areas. Before long, the path will lead to the hamlet of Nocelle. There are several fountains to refill your water throughout the hamlet as you proceed through the trail.

If you want something other than water, I suggest heading down towards Chiesa di Santa Croce. Beside this church, there are washrooms, a viewpoint and a delicious lemon stand selling orange/lemon smoothies. Turn left down Frazione Nocella to access this area.

✅ THE DESCENT FROM NOCELLE TO POSITANO

Reconnect with the path and continue your journey out of the hamlet and towards Montepertuso. The trail will follow the road for approximately 2.5km, so be cautious of drivers and buses. Pass by the soccer stadium and continue down the roadway towards Positano.

These roadways will connect to footpaths as you descend another series of stone staircases into the heart of Positano. This area can be a little confusing to navigate, as the trail leads you further down narrow staircases through neighborhoods. Walk through the tourist quarter, before ending at the final location, Positano Spiaggia.

This location is famous for its rocky pebbled beach, pastel tiered homes, and stunning views. Grab some much-needed food and rest your feet on the beach.

✅  WHERE TO STAY IN POSITANO

Positano has no shortage of accommodations to choose from, if you decide to end your journey there. However, unlike Amalfi, it is more difficult to find affordable options. Prices will take a drop in the off season.

✅WHAT TO DO IN POSITANO

Positano sees a surplus of tourists each year, and it's no surprise. With its pastel-coloured buildings and picturesque coast, there is plenty of activities to keep visitors entertained.

If your destination is Positano, enjoy the many wonders the small town as to offer, including shopping, fine dining, or basking on the famous beaches.

Boat tours to the neighbouring island of Capri is also a popular activity in the area. There are various options including both private and group tours.

✅ RETURNING TO AMALFI FROM POSITANO

If you aren't staying in Positano, there are two main ways of returning to Amalfi: ferry or bus.

By Ferry: The ferry terminal is located beside the beach (Positano Spiaggia), across from Hotel Covo dei Saraceni. Ferries run multiple times a day from April to October. The journey takes around 15-20 minutes. 

 By Bus: Unlike Amalfi, there is no bus terminal, but rather two bus stops: Chiesa Nuova and Sponda. My extensive research informed me that catching a bus at Sponda was significantly harder than Chiesa Nuova, as it's crowded and at sea level. With this information, I headed up towards Chiesa Nuova. The endless climb rewards you with scenic views and (as promised), less people catching the bus.

Bus Route: Sorrento-Positano-Amalfi SITA SUD

Price: 2.50 EUR

Duration: 40-50 minutes

Bus Stop: Positano (Chiesa Nuova)

Alternatively, you could also take a taxi back to Amalfi.

✅ FURTHER EXPLORING IN THE AMALFI COAST

If you extend your trip along the Amalfi Coast, make sure to check out the walk from Amalfi to Ravello or explore the Valle delle Ferriere.

#visitnaplesandamalficoast   #visitnaples  #withsal  #positano #praiano 

🏺🎨 The baker Terentius Neo and his wife from Pompeii

 🏺🎨  The baker Terentius Neo and his wife from Pompeii , the last picture (fresco) just before the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The wealthy  couple that was rising across Pompeii  through sheer grit.....🌋❤️‍🔥

✅  Neo was a successful baker, as the house had been modified to include a bakery, and he wears a toga, indicating he was a Roman citizen (a highly coveted status that conferred several legal rights). He holds a rotulus, a kind of scroll that suggests involvement in local politics or public affairs; there is even an inscription on the outside of the house that endorses a local politician, not unlike the yard signs of today .

 ✅ Neo’s wife is far from secondary: She is in the foreground and at the same height as her husband. She holds a stylus and wax tablet, further emphasizing her equal status, as well as the fact that she was educated and literate (a rare thing for men and women alike at the time). It is very likely she helped manage her husband’s business and political affairs and was far from the servient homemaker.

🧑🏻‍🏫 Details 

It is considered one of the finest pieces of art from the area of Vesuvius, it is also amazing for several reasons beyond its technical quality.

The portrait is unusual in depicting husband and wife as equals, members of a confident and fashionable middle class that was rising across Rome through sheer grit.

The Pompeain  fresco of Baker Terentius Neo and his wife is indeed remarkable for several reasons beyond its technical skill and its depiction of the couple as equals in a rising middle class:

✅Display of Literacy and Education: Both the husband and wife are shown holding objects associated with literacy, a relatively rare and highly valued trait for common citizens, men or women, at the time.

✅ Terentius Neo holds a rotulus, a papyrus scroll, which suggests his involvement in public affairs, local politics, or cultural events.

✅He also wears a toga, indicating he was a Roman citizen.

✅His wife holds a stylus and a wax tablet (diptych) and is shown with the stylus near her lips in a gesture of contemplation.

✅This strongly emphasizes her equal status and that she was educated and literate, likely playing a crucial role in managing the family's business and social life.

✅Realistic Features: The portrait is noted for its realistic depiction of the couple's faces, showing individual peculiarities or imperfections rather than the highly idealized, "god-like" features often seen in portraits of the Roman elite.

✅ This realism brings the individuals to life and is typical of Roman portraiture, though rarer in surviving frescoes of this type.

✅Social Status Symbolism: The couple, as a successful baker (a lucrative trade in Roman Italy) and his wife, were nouveaux riches—members of the wealthy merchant or commercial class.

✅Their choice of such a formal, intellectual portrait style was a deliberate display of their elevated status and ambition to conceal their humble origins and gain acceptance into polite society.

✅Equal Standing: As you noted, the portrait is unusual in the way it presents the couple:The wife is positioned in the foreground and at the same height as her husband, reinforcing her status as an equal partner.

✅Her attire is fashionable, including a pearl necklace and earrings, further marking their wealth.The fresco is preserved in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN).

📌 On the right : this illustration of a famous fresco of Pompeii was made with digital painting technique and photorealistic rendering.

#withsal #visitnaplesandamalficoast  #pompeii #visitnaples