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Definition
•Pompeii and Herculaneum were located in the fertile region known as Campania in Southern Italy.
•A crescent shaped volcanic plain
•The Romans referred to it as “Campania Felix” meaning productive Campania.
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Definition
•Pliny the Elder, described it as ‘one of the loveliest places on earth’ and ‘Embracing a climate so mild, Plains so fertile, Hills so sunny, woodlands so secure and groves so shady.’
•The year is divided into two seasons – hot dry summers from May to September and mild wet winters from October to April.
•The soil’s spongy nature retained winter rains for impressive crops, even in rainless summer months.
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Term
| Pompeii – Natural Features |
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Definition
•Located 9km south of Vesuvius
•Pompeii occupied the largest volcanic spur (low hill formed by a previous eruption) – 70 hectares and 25 – 40 meters above sea level.
•Its height enabled it to catch the sea and mountain breezes.
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Term
| Pompeii – natural features cont... |
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Definition
•The Sarno River flowed past Pompeii and widened into a lagoon as it entered the sea. The river was navigable to sea going cargo ships at the time. Strabo said the Port of Pompeii ‘accommodates a traffic in both imports and exports.’
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Term
Herculaneum – Natural Features |
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Definition
•Herculaneum on the coast was on a steeply sloping spur that reached from the lower slopes of Vesuvius and ended at a sharp cliff face.
•It was 7km West of Vesuvius
•The Campanian coast faces the Bay of Napleswhich provided a number of safe anchorages.
•Salt pans, oily fish such as tuna, mackerel, anchovies and moray eel caught by fishing fleets, provided the raw materials for fish sauces (garum).
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Term
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Definition
•Volcanic material created fertile soil – grey-black and rust brown rich in phosphorus and potash.
•Natural vegetation of the area included poplars, alders and willow trees on the river and oak and beech on the slopes.
•The slopes of Vesuvius were covered in vines and a famous fresco from the Pompeian House depicts their importance.
•Olives of high quality were used for cooking oil and perfume.
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Term
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Definition
•The area supported a wide variety of fruit trees – peaches, apricots, and lemons. Cherries, plums, pears and figs.
•Cabbages and onions.
•Cereal crops, hay for fodder.
•Herds of sheep roamed the southern coast providing wool for textile industries.
•Pumice stone was exported and lava was in stone millstones for grinding grain and pressing olives. Volcanic material was also used for building and paving roads.
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