Pompeii's art, culture and legacy

                                           

Pompeii is one of the most important places that bears evidence and provides significant information on the customs, trade, and arts of the Roman Empire. In the year 79 AD, the unexpected and devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius caused hundreds of tons of ashes to pour on the city, burying. Centuries later, the city has reemerged from the darkness and was first discovered in 1549 by an Italian, Dominic Fontana, who was digging a water channel through Pompeii. Pompeii started getting wealthy and educated visitors in the late eighteenth century, as scholars and artists started taking note of the place precisely for its dramatic destruction and miraculous preservation by the ashes of Mount Vesuvius. It is marvelous how 17 centuries later, from beneath 6 meters of ashes, the city is now providing the exceptional lives and lifestyle of the Roman civilization.

 

 

 

Much evidence is found of the Romans magnificent architecture and unique systems. such as the forum that once used to stand in the central city, the arch of Caligula, and the buildings of great political values. Just like many other Roman cities, Pompeii had different genres of buildings. This particular fact regarding Pompeii provides us with enough clues as to how developed and organized the city actually was.

 

The Roman society craved excitement and thrived on extreme and thrilling entertainments, which made the primary purpose of the buildings and architectures to be assumed to be just to provide entertainment. Buildings that we call amphitheaters were particularly made to serve this purpose. The format of an amphitheater, which is basically a round-shaped sitting arrangement with the performance stage in the middle, inspired modern architects. However, the sort of entertainment that occurred in the amphitheaters was very different. The Romans considered gladiator fighting, animal fighting, and public executions as forms of entertainment, which may seem too cruel to spectate to us, the people from this era.

 

As Pompeii was uncovered, the findings clearly showed that the city was once steeped in elegant art and rich culture. Especially the magnificent villas that the tourists are most attracted to. The builders had such extraordinary skills that even after a millennia and a six-meter-deep burial under the ashes, they could not ruin them, and even now the artworks are clearly visible in the walls of these buildings. The lifestyles of many Romans are accurately reflected in those who would choose to vacate this area of Naples during the summer months with hopes of escaping the work pressure of everyday life in Italy.

 

One of the most renowned villas in the city is the Villa of Mysteries because of its intriguing archaeological value. It is located on the outskirts of Pompeii and was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, preserving its frescoes and structures remarkably well. Within the villa, there is a particular room that is adorned with peculiar and captivating paintings. There are interpretations about these paintings suggesting they are related to religious rites or possibly related to the worship of Dionysus.

 

Apart from the religious theme, excavations near the Naples region revealed a significant presence of erotica, including everyday items. This suggests that Roman culture was somewhat open towards sexuality. This prediction can also be backed up by the sculptures, frescoes, and other household items discovered in Pompeii. These findings and their interpretations provide valuable insights into the multifaceted aspects of Roman society in the city before its tragic destruction.

 

The Romans were particularly fond of outdoor living, which caused a majority of their art to be found on the exterior walls of the buildings. Fresco was a popular artistic style that involved covering an entire wall with a painting, which gave the impression of vast garden spaces. This fresco style of art was popularized as murals later on. Frescoes were so popular that they were also used inside houses. They were used to counteract the confined space due to the absence of windows. Pompeii’s arts inspired the architects, potters, and artists significantly, especially the neoclassical style artists. The Neoclassical style, which became prominent, owes a lot to the rediscovery of Pompeii, as its aesthetic principles resemble frescoes very closely.

 

In conclusion, the remains of Pompeii offer a window into the arts and architecture, which lets us dive into the lives of the ancient Romans and their lives. Today, Pompeii may be best known for its destruction rather than its creativity, but surprisingly enough, the art and culture of the Roman city influence the present world as well. These influences let Pompeii remain a tangible force even in modern life after almost 2000 years.