We think of ancient Pompeii as a dead city, a ruin, damaged buildings, empty roads, bodies frozen at the moment of death. But before the eruption of Vesuvius, it was a wealthy, vibrant Roman city. People lived there, worked and worshiped there. They enjoyed entertainments, feasts, and gardens. They had toothaches and stomach aches. In other words, normal people. Who were these people? What were their everyday lives like?

Through their art, their stories, and the archaeological remains, we’ll delve into the Roman city as its residents saw it. We’ll look at the frescoes and artifacts left behind for hints on how the people of Pompeii lived. How did they feed themselves? What businesses did they have? How were they governed? We’ll also look at the history of Pompeii before the eruption, how it came to light after the eruption, the ongoing excavations and new discoveries.

Format: Class members will give a presentation on a topic they select from a prepared list.

Resources/Expenses: No textbook is assigned. There is a wealth of information online and a list of recommended sites, books, and videos will be provided by the coordinator.