The Geography of Pompeii

Pompeii was situated on a coastal plateau formed from lava, approximately 40 meters above sea level, which had been created by earlier eruptions of Mount Vesuvius. It was once on the shoreline but is now about 700 meters inland. The city was near the mouth of the Sarno River, which provided a natural port. It covered around 160-170 acres and had a population of about 11,000 people.

Early History

Pompeii was first settled in the 8th century BC by the Oscans. Around 740 BC, it came under Greek influence, marked by the construction of the Doric Temple and the introduction of the Apollo cult. In the early 6th century BC, the villages merged into a single city at a key crossroads and were enclosed by a large tufa wall (the pappamonte wall), showing early wealth and importance. By 524 BC, the Etruscans took control, integrating Pompeii into their trade network and the Etruscan League. They built a market square, the Temple of Apollo, and typical Tuscan-Atrium style homes. The city walls were strengthened in the 5th century BC. In 474 BC, the Greeks from Cumae defeated the Etruscans and took control of the area.

The Samnite Period

Between 450–375 BC, parts of Pompeii were abandoned, and activity at key temples declined. Around 424 BC, the Samnites took control, expanding the city and influencing its architecture. During the Samnite Wars (343–290 BC), Pompeii aligned with Rome and gradually came under Roman influence while retaining some autonomy. The city expanded beyond its original walls, and a more organized street layout was introduced. City walls were reinforced in the early 3rd century BC. Despite the turmoil of the Second Punic War (218–201 BC), Pompeii remained loyal to Rome and continued to prosper through agriculture and trade. In the 2nd century BC, wealth from Roman military campaigns in the East helped the city flourish, funding major construction projects like the Forum, temples, baths, theaters, and porticoes (the front entraces of a house).

The Roman Period

Pompeii rebelled against Rome during the Social War and was besieged by Sulla in 89 BC. After its surrender, it became a Roman colony—Colonia Cornelia Veneria Pompeianorum—with Sulla’s veterans settling there. Despite initial losses, Pompeians were granted Roman citizenship and joined Rome, adopting Latin and Roman customs.

The area became prosperous due to agriculture and its location near the Bay of Naples. Wealthy Romans built villas nearby, and Pompeii grew as a trade hub along the Appian Way. Major public buildings like the Amphitheatre, Forum Baths, and Odeon were built or renovated, enhancing its cultural and economic status. Under Augustus, further development included the Eumachia Building, Sanctuary of Augustus, and Macellum, and the city received running water via the Serino Aqueduct.

In AD 59, a violent riot in the amphitheatre led to a temporary ban on events. In AD 62, a severe earthquake caused major damage, but the city undertook widespread rebuilding, especially in public and private buildings, showing signs of continued prosperity.

By AD 79, Pompeii had a population between 11,500 and 20,000, thriving due to its agriculture, trade, and Roman patronage, just before its destruction in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

The Eruption of Mount Vesuvius

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius lasted two days. The first phase involved a rain of pumice lasting about 18 hours, allowing many Pompeii residents to escape. Around 1,150 bodies have been found, often with valuables, which meant that most people fled with their possessions. The deadly second phase brought fast-moving pyroclastic flows (pyroclastic flows are flows that bring down hot lava, ash, and other debris, cascading down the side of the volcano) that destroyed buildings and killed those who remained, primarily due to extreme heat rather than ash suffocation.

The city was buried under up to 6 meters of volcanic debris and ash in multiple layers. Some deaths were caused by earthquakes during the eruption. Pliny the Younger, who witnessed the event from across the bay, provided a key historical account, and his uncle, Pliny the Elder, died trying to rescue victims.

While the eruption was long believed to have occurred in August, recent discoveries—including clothing, seasonal food, and coins—indicate it likely happened in late October, specifically around October 24–25.