Who Were The Preserved Victims Found In Pompeii? | Pompeii with Mary Beard | Odyssey
Odyssey - Ancient History Documentaries・2 minutes read
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD preserved 54 well-preserved skeletons in a cellar near Pompeii, revealing a wealth distinction between the rich and the poor based on possessions. Through forensic analysis led by Fabian Kanz, these skeletons shed light on Roman society's structure, showcasing a snapshot of their lives and highlighting the complexity of Roman society living closely together 2,000 years ago.
Insights
- The skeletons found in the cellar near Pompeii provide insight into the wealth distinctions among the town's residents, with rich individuals possessing valuable items like jewelry and coins equivalent to 10 years' pay, while the poor had no possessions, showcasing a snapshot of Roman society's structure.
- The excavation in Herculaneum, led by historian Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, revealed that rich and poor Romans shared a similar healthy diet, challenging the assumption of nutritional differences between classes, as evidenced by evidence preserved for two millennia in the city's sewers.
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Recent questions
What insights do the skeletons found in Pompeii reveal about the town's residents?
The skeletons found in Pompeii, specifically in a cellar near the town, provide valuable insights into the lives of its residents. These skeletons were well-preserved due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, offering a glimpse into the social structure of Pompeii. The skeletons were divided into two groups based on possessions, indicating a wealth distinction among the inhabitants. The rich individuals had green bones from buried metal objects like jewelry and coins equivalent to 10 years' pay, while the poor had no possessions. This wealth distinction sheds light on the economic disparities within Roman society at that time, showcasing how the rich and poor coexisted in Pompeii.
What role did Roman baths play in the daily life of Pompeiians?
Roman baths were a significant part of daily life for the residents of Pompeii, offering not only a place for hygiene but also social interaction and relaxation. The baths in Pompeii featured hot and cold rooms, under-floor heating, and even libraries in some, providing a luxurious experience for all classes of society. Bathing in Roman times was a communal practice that transcended social boundaries, allowing rich and poor individuals to share in the amenities and decorations of the baths. Despite the potential lack of water circulation in the marble pool, as noted by Roman doctor Celsus, the baths in Pompeii were a central hub for socializing and unwinding, showcasing the importance of communal spaces in ancient Roman culture.
What do the bones of twin children found in the cellar suggest about ancient medical care in Pompeii?
The discovery of twin children's bones in the cellar near Pompeii sheds light on the medical care and family support network present in ancient Roman society. The bones of the twins show signs of congenital syphilis, challenging the belief that the disease arrived in Europe at a later date. Additionally, the abnormalities in the twins' teeth hint at extensive medical care, indicating that healthcare was a priority for families in Pompeii. This finding showcases the advanced medical knowledge and support systems available to individuals in ancient Rome, highlighting the importance of health and well-being in the society.
How did the diet of rich and poor Romans in Pompeii differ?
Contrary to expectations, the diet of rich and poor Romans in Pompeii did not show significant differences, as evidenced by archaeological findings. Excavations in Pompeii and Herculaneum revealed that both wealthy and ordinary individuals shared a similar healthy diet, consisting of fish, chicken, eggs, and a variety of nuts. The evidence preserved in the sewers of Herculaneum showcased the dietary habits of the Romans, emphasizing the commonality in food consumption across different social classes. Despite the opulent dining rooms and reliance on slaves displayed by the rich, the excavation findings suggest that food was a unifying factor among Pompeiians, bridging the gap between social statuses through shared culinary experiences.
How did the eruption of Mount Vesuvius impact the residents of Pompeii?
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD had a devastating impact on the residents of Pompeii, catching them by surprise and leading to tragic outcomes. Many Pompeiians chose to seek shelter rather than flee, resulting in the entrapment of individuals in the town. Eyewitness accounts describe the chaos and darkness that engulfed Pompeii during the eruption, with people seeking refuge in the cellar with limited light sources. Despite their attempts to escape, the eruption ultimately led to the tragic demise of many inhabitants, including a pregnant woman who perished in her attempt to flee. The eruption of Vesuvius serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable forces of nature and the fragility of human life in the face of natural disasters.
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Summary
00:00
Insights from Pompeii's Rich and Poor
- In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted, destroying Pompeii and other Roman towns in the Bay of Naples.
- The eruption preserved the bodies of the inhabitants, providing historians with valuable insights into their lives.
- 54 well-preserved skeletons were found in a cellar near Pompeii, revealing secrets about the town's residents.
- The skeletons were divided into two groups based on possessions, indicating a wealth distinction.
- The rich individuals had green bones due to buried metal objects, while the poor had no possessions.
- The skeletons are crucial for forensic analysis, unlike jumbled bones and plaster casts found in Pompeii.
- A forensic team led by Fabian Kanz is analyzing the skeletons to understand the society's structure.
- The rich individuals in the cellar had valuable possessions, including jewelry and coins equivalent to 10 years' pay.
- The cellar served as a refuge during the eruption, revealing a snapshot of Roman society.
- Pompeii was a town where the rich and poor lived together, with luxurious villas and bustling streets.
16:45
Health, hygiene, and sexuality in ancient Pompeii.
- Bones from the cellar reveal infections and health issues in ancient Pompeiians, possibly due to lack of antiseptic and understanding of hygiene.
- Roman baths in Pompeii were a significant part of life, offering hot and cold rooms, rest, and visual splendor, with under-floor heating and libraries in some.
- Bathing in Roman times was a common practice for all classes, providing a communal experience with luxurious amenities and shared decorations.
- The marble pool in Pompeii's baths lacked water circulation, potentially leading to unhygienic conditions, as noted by Roman doctor Celsus.
- Twin children's bones in the cellar suggest a rare case of congenital syphilis, challenging the belief that the disease arrived in Europe later.
- The twins' teeth abnormalities hint at extensive medical care, showcasing a family support network and the importance of healthcare in ancient Rome.
- Phallic symbols and erotic art in Pompeii raise questions about Roman sexuality, with differing interpretations of brothels and sexual practices.
- The brothel in Pompeii, covered in graffiti, offers a glimpse into ancient Roman sexual culture, challenging misconceptions and tourist narratives.
- The focus on sex and gluttony in Pompeii may overshadow other aspects of Roman life, such as the absence of nutritional differences between rich and poor.
- Pompeiians' worn teeth from eating bread with stone fragments highlight the prevalence of bread as a staple food, produced in numerous bakeries across the city.
32:49
Ancient Roman Diet Revealed Through Excavation
- 81 carbonized loaves found perfectly preserved in one of the town's ovens, ready for sale.
- Archeologists discovered pomegranates, walnuts, and eggs preserved for 2,000 years.
- Historian Andrew Wallace-Hadrill leads excavation in Herculaneum, revealing the diet of ordinary Romans.
- Roman diet evidence preserved for two millennia in Herculaneum's sewers.
- Over 700 bags of human waste collected and analyzed to understand Roman diet.
- Roman diet in Herculaneum included fish, chicken, eggs, and a variety of nuts.
- Rich and poor Romans shared a similar healthy diet, as seen in the excavation.
- Rich Romans displayed their wealth through opulent dining rooms and reliance on slaves.
- Ordinary Pompeiians frequented fast food joints, indicating a different dining experience.
- Pompeii's international connections reflected in imported goods like emeralds and an Indian ivory statuette.
48:32
"Life and Death in Pompeii: A Tragic Tale"
- Slaves in Pompeii were sometimes freed by their owners and could achieve high status jobs, like being doctors, as evidenced by a slave named Apollinaris who was the Emperor Titus's doctor.
- Slavery was a common aspect of life in Pompeii, with slaves living and dying alongside their masters, as seen in the close proximity of rich and poor individuals in the city.
- The eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD caught the Pompeiians by surprise, with many choosing to seek shelter rather than flee, leading to tragic outcomes like a pregnant woman attempting to escape.
- Eyewitness accounts of the eruption describe the chaos and darkness that engulfed Pompeii, with people seeking refuge in the cellar with only a few lamps for light.
- Despite their tragic end, the Romans in the cellar left evidence of their lives, showcasing a society where slaves could gain freedom, women could own wealth, and ordinary Romans could enjoy good food and drink.
- The people in the cellar highlight the complexity of Roman society, where individuals from different backgrounds lived closely together, sharing experiences of both hardship and enjoyment, ultimately meeting the same fate 2,000 years ago.
