Lesson 1. The Doom of Pompeii and Herculaneum

Over 2,000 years ago Pompeii was a magnificent Roman city, 150 km south-east of Rome. Pompeii was originally founded by the Oscans in the 8th century bc. In the 5th century it was occupied by the Samnites, and the main public buildings were constructed during this period.

In 80 BC Pompeii became a Roman colony, and many wealthy Romans and nobles, including Cicero, built ‘holiday’ villas in the city and spent their leisure time there. Pompeii quickly became a pleasure resort and among the places erected for enjoyment was an odeon seating 1,000 spectators, which was built for music lovers, and two theatres seating 5,000 and 1,500 respectively, as well as a gymnasium with a sports pool in its centre.