166 Chapter 6 Center of Activity Owners of such villas were usually noted citizens, and their homes had frequent visitors. Kitchen Well-stocked kitchens kept family members and guests well fed. A dinner from this kitchen might consist of eggs, vegetables, shellfish, meat, cakes, and fruit. Entrance Hall Beautiful floor mosaics sometimes decorated the villa’s entrance. Skilled artisans created the intricate designs like the one shown in the entry of this home. ▼ The Villa Very few Romans could afford to live in such luxury, but those who could left a legacy that still inspires wonder. Life in a Roman Villa Much of what we know about Roman homes comes from archaeological excavations of the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. In A.D. 79, Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried in volcanic ash by a tremendous eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The illustration you see here is modeled after a home in Pompeii. Notice the rich artwork and refined architecture of this home. RESEARCH LINKS For more on life in a Roman villa, go to classzone.com 1 1 2 2 3 3
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166 Chapter 6
Center of ActivityOwners of such villas wereusually noted citizens, and theirhomes had frequent visitors.
Kitchen Well-stockedkitchens kept family membersand guests well fed. A dinnerfrom this kitchen might consistof eggs, vegetables, shellfish,meat, cakes, and fruit.
Entrance Hall Beautiful floormosaics sometimes decorated thevilla’s entrance. Skilled artisanscreated the intricate designs like theone shown in the entry of this home.
▼ The Villa Very few Romans could afford tolive in such luxury, but those whocould left a legacy that stillinspires wonder.
Life in a Roman VillaMuch of what we know about Roman homes comes from archaeologicalexcavations of the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. In A.D. 79,Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried in volcanic ash by a tremendouseruption of Mount Vesuvius. The illustration you see here is modeled after ahome in Pompeii. Notice the rich artwork and refined architecture of this home.
RESEARCH LINKS For more on lifein a Roman villa, go to classzone.com
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Pompeii
• Of the 10,000 to 20,000people who lived in Pompeii,only 2,000 bodies have beenuncovered.
• About three-fourths of the cityhas been excavated.
Mount Vesuvius
• Scientists believe there may be a reservoir of magma 400kilometers (about 249 miles)wide sitting below MountVesuvius.
• Today, in the first 15 minutes of a medium-to-large-scaleeruption, an area within a 4-mile radius of the volcanocould be destroyed—about 1million people live and work in this area.
1. Making Inferences What other typesof rooms or activities can you identifyin the illustration?
See Skillbuilder Handbook, page R10.
2. Comparing and Contrasting Howare homes today similar to a Romanvilla? How are they different?
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Gardens WealthyRomans maintainedgardens decorated withfountains, sculptures,and frescoes.
ArchaeologicalExcavationWhen Mount Vesuviuserupted, ash rained down,covered everything, andhardened. Bread (shownabove) carbonized in thebakeries. Bodies decayedunder the ash leavinghollow spaces. Anarchaeologist developedthe technique of pouringplaster into the spacesand then removing theash. The result was a castof the body where it fell.
▲
▲ FrescoesA fresco is a painting made on damp plaster. Roman artists usedthis technique to brighten the walls of Roman homes. This frescofrom the ruins of Pompeii reflects a couple’s pride at being ableto read and write—she holds tools for writing and he a scroll.
* The last eruption occurred in 1944. Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Number of Major Recorded Volcanic Eruptions
Number of Eruptions
A.D. 1-500
501-1000
1001-1500
Year
s
1501-2000*
0 5 10 15 20
20+
2
5
33
4
4
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