Pompeii
Pompeii was constructed around the turn of the sixth century BC in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius in southern Italy. It connected the nearby cities of Cumae, Nola, and Stabiae, and maintained a port that was used by both the Greeks and the Phoenicians. In the fourth century BC, it became a vassal of the Roman Republic, and in 80 BC it was incorporated into the Roman Republic as a colony after it was defeated by Sulla in a failed attempt to throw off Roman control.
One firmly under Roman control Pompeii underwent something of a renaissance. Rich soils nearby already facilitated productive agriculture, including several wineries, and the region produced more food than it could consume. New Roman infrastructure would allow the city to become much richer and larger. The Romans installed an aqueduct to vitalize the city, facilitating the construction of baths and fountains and allowing the city’s population to expand to as many as 11,000 citizens. Recreation was provided by several amphitheaters and a gymnasium, as well as the Grand Hotel Murecine.
Though becoming richer, Pompeii was frequently beset by earthquakes. A quake in 62 AD caused moderate damage, sparking several fires around the city. Pompeii suffered a much worse disaster on August 24, 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted. A pyroclastic flow rushed down Vesuvius’s slopes and into Pompeii, cooking most of the inhabitants in a matter of seconds, before a cloud of ash settled upon the city’s remains.
The quick burial of the city resulted in the city, its contents, and even its inhabitants being impeccably preserved. After its rediscovery in the eighteenth century, it became a valuable archaeological site.