Pompeii was a busy Roman city near the Bay of Naples. Before Mount Vesuvius destroyed it in AD 79, people worked, traded, visited shops and enjoyed public…
Pompeii is best known for being destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Before the eruption, however, it was a prosperous Roman city where people worked, traded, socialised and enjoyed entertainment. Its residents were concerned with ordinary matters such as money, food, politics and social status, not an approaching disaster.
The city stood near the Bay of Naples, surrounded by fertile volcanic land. Farmers produced grapes, olives, fruit and grain, while local wine was exported across the Roman world. Trade by sea also made Pompeii wealthy and cosmopolitan, with influences from Greek, Etruscan, Samnite and Roman cultures.
Its streets were crowded, noisy and often dirty. Carts travelled across roads made from volcanic stone, leaving deep marks in the surface. Raised pavements and large stepping stones helped pedestrians avoid mud, rainwater and animal waste. Sellers called to customers, craftspeople worked in open workshops and animals pulled carts through narrow streets.
Business was ubiquitous. Shops, bakeries and workshops appeared throughout the city, often at the front of private homes. Bakers ground grain and produced round loaves in large ovens, while other workers made pottery, furniture, clothes and metal objects.
Small food shops called thermopolia sold prepared meals and drinks. They were useful for people who lacked proper kitchens or wanted to eat away from home. Most residents ate bread, beans, vegetables, olives, fruit and cheese. Wealthier families could afford meat, fish, imported ingredients and expensive wine.
Rich Pompeians lived in large houses designed to impress visitors. These homes often contained atriums, dining rooms, gardens, fountains, wall paintings and detailed mosaics. An ostentatious garden or decoration demonstrated the owner’s wealth, education and influence. Most residents, however, lived in smaller homes or rented rooms above shops.
Pompeian society was deeply unequal. Enslaved people cooked, cleaned, carried goods, cared for children and worked in businesses. Some were educated and served as teachers or managers, but they remained the legal property of others. A number later gained their freedom and became successful business owners, although their background could still affect their social position.
Politics was visible on the city’s walls. Election messages encouraged citizens to support particular candidates, while other writing included jokes, advertisements, insults and love notes. These messages are an important vestige of ordinary Roman life because they reveal the thoughts and concerns of people who rarely appear in official histories.
Public baths were popular places to wash, exercise, relax and discuss news. Pompeii also had theatres and an amphitheatre where crowds watched plays, music and gladiatorial contests. Successful gladiators could become famous, despite their low social status.
Religion was part of everyday life. People prayed at temples and household shrines for protection, health and success. The popularity of the Egyptian goddess Isis reflected Pompeii’s wider cultural connections.
A powerful earthquake had already damaged the city in AD 62 or 63. Repairs continued for years, and some buildings were still unfinished in AD 79. Smaller earthquakes were common, but residents probably considered them normal.
Pompeii’s location was precarious, although its people did not understand the danger. Vesuvius had not erupted within living memory, and its fertile slopes supported farms and vineyards. Until the eruption began, Pompeii remained a busy city whose residents were simply trying to work, prosper and improve their lives.
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