Half Day Tour of Pompeii

Walking tour in Pompeii

Tour Price : €120 Duration : min 2 hours Languages: English, Italian, German, Spanish

Why a tour at Pompeii? This tour will provide a great deal of understanding of the daily life in a Roman society . You will have a better understanding of the devastation that occurred on August 24th, 79 AD at 1pm. Pompeii is not just an excavation, it is a whole city. I'll show you 2 theatres, a large amphitheatre, countless snack bars along the streets, several bathhouses, shops, gracious villas, at least one brothel, town houses and apartments, temples and law courts, various markets and recreational areas.

All were buried in volcanic ash 1,920 years ago. Pompeii, whose name is of Oscan origin, was founded by Italy people, probably during the 8th century BC. During the 6th century BC the nearby Greek settlements of Cumae and Neapolis exerted a strong influence. Remains of this date include the Doric temple in the triangular forum. From 530-474 BC Pompeìi was occupied by the Etruscans, and soon after this the first stone walls were built around it, replacing an earlier earthwork defence. The period from the late 5th to early lst centuries BC is generally referred to as `Samnite Pompeii', but it was in reality a troubled period during which both Samnite and Roman influences were strong. By the late 3rd century BC Pompeii had been admitted into the Roman federation, though the inhabitants were Italic.

The defences were elaborated as the town had expanded, and public buildings such as baths, forum, theatre and more temples were added. During the Social Wars of 92-89 BC Pompeii joined the Italic League to protest against Roman oppression. It was at this time that the towers were added to the defences, which helped the town to withstand a siege by Sulla's forces in 90 BC. The region was eventually won back to Rome, and in 80 BC a new colony, was established - Colonia Veneria Cornelia Pompeii. More public buildings were constructed to meet the needs of the colonists, doubling the number of temples, baths and theatres; an amphitheatre was added and, a little later, an aqueduct. Situated about 400m from the sea, with a small harbour at the mouth of the River Sarno, Roman Pompeii grew in importance as a trading centre. Fulling and baking seem to have been the most prolific industries, and inns, bars, taverns and stables abounded to serve visitors and inhabitants alike. Population estimates for AD 79 range from 12,000 to 20,000, and the houses reflect great variety in fortunes: some were wealthy enough to take up an entire district( insula), others had only a few rooms. Significant events for the Pompeians took place in AD 59, when riots in the amphitheatre caused its closure for 10 years, and AD 62, when there was a terrible earthquake.

Soon after this, perhaps as compensation for both events, the emperor Nero bestowed the honour of his name on the town, Colonia Neroniana. About 2,000 inhabitants are thought to have perished in the town during the eruption of Vesuvius. Titus had become emperor only two months before, and initiated relief for survivors. Some attempts were made to disinter the town, but the task proved too great, and too dangerous - pockets of escaping gas caused further deaths. The site was abandoned, although a small settlement called Civita did grow up over the ash, just to the north.

Further eruptions of Vesuvius led to its desertion in the 11th century, and the exact position of Pompeii was forgotten. We will experience Pompeii before and after the epic eruption 2,000 years ago. Imagine the moment their world vanished and discover the miraculous artifacts unearthed since. Witness the life and death of those frozen in time by ash.

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