Ancient Pompeii, Italy

After 2 weeks of exploring Italy, our visit to Pompeii was definitely the coolest. Pompeii was a city close to modern day Naples, Italy. Walking through Pompeii was like walking through the past. You can still see the roads, houses, and shops 2000 years later. Pompeii was my favorite activity in Italy and most fascinating ancient cites we have explored.

Pompeii was a city in Ancient Rome that was home to many people and families. It was a city full of markets, people, and temples located near Mount Vesuvius.  The people of ancient Pompeii did not know that Mount Vesuvius was actually a volcano that was close to eruption. In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted and killed everybody living there. First, there was tons of ash filling the air and rocks raining down on people for 20 hours. Almost all the roofs collapsed and the houses were destroyed. If you survived the rock fall more deadly events were bound to kill you. Hot ash and gasses filled the air quickly which when inhaled killed them slowly and painfully. 

Before this eruption, life in Pompeii was pretty good. Rich families lived in big homes with courtyards, gardens and fountains. The walls in the homes were decorated with mosaics which only wealthy families had. Middle class families lived in smaller homes above shops. Most families did not have kitchens in their homes and it was cool to see the remains of the “fast food” restaurants of the ancient city. Pompeii was a busy but nice place to live with people visiting the amphitheater for dramas, visiting the public bath houses and shopping in the busy markets.

Our visit to Pompeii was the perfect way to end our two weeks in Italy!