História das Ruínas de Pompeia | A queda e a ascensão da cidade antiga

Early history: Oscans, Greeks, & Etruscans

740 BC

Originally settled by the Oscans, Pompeii rose in prominence with the arrival of Greeks and Etruscans in the 8th century BC. The Doric Temple (now the Triangular Forum) and a tufa wall signaled wealth from maritime trade. The Etruscans ruled until their defeat by Cumae and Syracuse at the Battle of Cumae in 474 BC.

The Samnite period

450 BC – 2nd century BC

After Greek Cumae fell, the Samnites took control of Pompeii, introducing new architecture. Though ruled by Samnites, Pompeii aligned with Rome during key wars and became a Roman socii. Despite upheaval and elite migration, it thrived through agriculture and trade, adding major structures like the Forum, Basilica, Stabian Baths, and Large Theatre.

The Roman period

89 BC – 59 AD

During the Social Wars, Pompeii rebelled but was conquered by Sulla in 89 BC and became a Roman colony. Residents gained citizenship, Latin became dominant, and elites Latinized their names. The city flourished with new farms, villas, and major buildings like the Forum Baths and Amphitheatre. A 59 AD riot led to a 10-year ban on amphitheater events.

Mount Vesuvius erupts

79 AD

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius caused massive destruction in Pompeii, Herculaneum, and nearby towns, burying them under 6-7 meters of ash. About 2,000 people died within 24 hours, mostly from suffocation as toxic gases and ash engulfed the cities. Around 1,150 bodies have been recovered, forever altering Pompeii’s history and landscape.

Rediscovery of Pompeii

1592 - 1863

Right after the eruption, relief efforts helped victims, but valuables were also looted. Later eruptions (471–473 AD, 512 AD) buried Pompeii further. In 1592, Domenico Fontana found ancient walls; in 1748, Roque de Alcubierre uncovered remains. A 1763 inscription identified Pompeii. Giuseppe Fiorelli pioneered plaster casts of voids to preserve human forms, modernly replaced by resin. The city was mapped, houses numbered, and finds documented.

Modern excavations

20th century

In the 1920s, excavations became more organized and systematic. Architect Amedeo Maiuri discovered large areas south of Via dell’Abbondanza with bakeries, fulleries, factories, other shops and wall inscriptions depicting elections and gladiator combats. However, they weren't properly documented or preserved for reconstruction. Further excavations were put on hold to focus more on the conservation of the ruins rather than discovering newer areas, buildings, or valuables.

Recent events

21st century

In 2016, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour performed at Pompeii’s amphitheater—the first audience show since 79 AD. In 2018, archaeologists found harnessed horses at the Villa of the Mysteries. Later, a thermopolium, pottery, frescoes, and food remnants were uncovered. Excavations continue, with 2020 and 2021 revealing a bronze chariot and a painted slave tomb.

Conservation projects

A site as expansive and historic as Pompeii needed to be preserved, for which several conservation projects were undertaken. These projects aimed at minimizing the natural and man-made forces that were destroying it. Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompeii, the administrative body responsible for the conservation of the site controls all the funding and initiates projects to prevent further theft, manage tourists, restore frescoes and sculptures and other artifacts, reconstruct buildings, remove plants, etc. using modern technology.

A moratorium on excavations was declared in 1999 and it was decided that the funds would be used to preserve the Pompeii ruins to prevent further deterioration. All houses were marked according to regions for proper identification. The bodies of the deceased were converted into casts. Iconic structures like the Forum, the Amphitheater, and the villas were restored to avoid further destruction and deterioration.

Problems with conservation

The ruins were well-preserved for over 2,000 years since being buried under layers of volcanic ash prevented deterioration. However, after the excavations took place, all the objects and monuments were exposed to light, moisture, erosion, weathering, water damage, plants, animals, and other climatic changes as well as vandalism, tourism, theft, and war – all of which have caused damage to the historic site and created hurdles for archaeologists trying to preserve and conserve the ruins.

In 2010, the House of the Gladiators collapsed due to heavy rainfall and lack of proper drainage. Various bouts of unsystematic excavations also caused damage to several valuable objects, artifacts, and antiques. For example, a collection of bronze letters fixed on a wall were discovered. But they were retrieved in a disorganized manner without recording the original placement due to which it lost its historical meaning and significance.