From the time I have spent I Rome I have see many places where Ancient Rome is present, at least in some form or another. The new parts of the city are built to incorporate all the ruins. From these ruins we can tell how life was like and what they did for entertainment for trade and what they did for art. It also shows just how well they were able to construct as so many monument and buildings have lasted through the ages. They are massive and it seems almost unbelievable that the ancient Romans would be able to construct what they have. Ancient Rome, however, exists in bits and pieces. There are buildings here and there and there is Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum and the Coliseum which are a few of the most important preservations of Ancient Rome. But the city itself isn’t entirely ancient. It can’t be. The Middle Ages saw things stolen with the marble to construct other buildings and to furnish other places.
Pompeii is a slightly different story. The city itself is wonderfully preserved. When the city was uncovered, they were able to make accurate molds of the people from what they found in the volcanic ash. However, like in Rome, we are able to see what they did for fun, what they did for commerce and trade and we know that people from other parts of the world came to that city. We know about their way of life and we even know what shape they made their bread, which in itself is kind of unreal. The houses and the business buildings are also standing so that we can see what rich houses looked like and what poorer houses looked like. They can even tell what used to be a residence and what was once a store. Really the city was amazing on so many levels just because it was in this state and moreover the size of the ruins itself was impressive. I was slightly surprised that so much was left even though Napoleon had come through taking the marble that used to be flooring in some places. ( Because some marble still remained on the ground.)Which was actually akin what the Middle Ages did to Rome. Taking the marble and lining palaces with it; reusing it to furnish new places. What remains of the city itself has nothing else incorporated within it (excepting the loan Autogrille which looks so out of place with the rest of Pompeii as well as a few bathrooms, but those are better hidden). In this sense it differs from Rome. There aren’t really any modern influences to interfere with the overall feel of the place. Archeologists are still doing work on Pompeii, despite the fact that it was first uncovered in the 1700’s. They continue to discover more and more, both about the culture and the time in which Vesuvius erupted. Unlike Rome however, there are no massive structures like the Coliseum around. However Pompeii was not the capital and was smaller than Rome.
However both places have so much left we are really able to see what life was like for them. It is both interesting and amazing. In America we have nothing like this so I think it is even more amazing for people who don’t live in Europe. These structures have stood for a thousand years and they are still there. We continue to learn from what remains of that time as we continue to explore these ruins.
Victoria,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the subject of finding it difficult to really appreciate the massive structures in Rome because of the modern architecture that surrounds them. I find it very interesting that archeologists are still looking into the history of Pompeii and are rediscovering things that were previously unknown to many scholars as well as ordinary people. It is also important to remember that although Pompeii was not the capitol, it took its ideas from Rome and erected its monuments from what they had seen in Rome; for example, the gymnasium and the two, one larger and one smaller, amphitheaters.
Victoria,
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that people are still studying about Pompeii and trying to find out more about it. I also agree that, on a personal stand, that it is hard to see these huge monuments and really appreciate them for that they are worth. For example, like you said, the Coliseum was used for games and entertainment and that would have been really cool to see, but now its hard to give it the full appreciation that it deserves.I also agree with Megan that Pompeii got a lot of it's ideas and structural ideas from Rome and the Roman architecture. Good blog!
"In America we have nothing like this…”…….America lacks the history of Italy. There simply is just not as much time of existence in America as it was discovered much later then Italy (the areas that create Italy today). America still has relevance for a tourist. Washington DC has great museums and monuments, and who doesn’t want to see the Statue of Liberty in New York? Italy has ruins dating back to the first century but America still has historical landmarks worth a visit.
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