Pompeii Research Paper

Pompeii, Italy is a city lost in time. Following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, the city was buried along with most of its inhabitants. The daily lives of the people of Pompeii can be predicted, but full assurance is not possible. For the quaint city at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, time stands still. Many archeologists and history experts have explored the remains of Pompeii to gain a better insight on the lives of the deceased. Though it is difficult to study the past without primary accounts of what took place prior to the eruption, the challenge has been accepted. Information and artifacts found in Pompeii have been analyzed since the site’s discovery in 1738 (Butterworth and Laurence 3). Therefore, the information gained by archeologists

The rituals and customs of the religions were portrayed in most aspects of the life of the people of Pompeii. Mosaics were strategically placed in the households of the people to reflect their beliefs. One mosaic, for example, represented the head of an animal that was ridden by a Dionysus expert. This mosaic was placed in a dining room (Albentiis 53). While religion was very important to the people of Pompeii, it was not all that they did. The people also participated in fitness and sports. The practice of physical fitness, however, was mostly practiced only by those of the upper class. These wealthier people had more time and money available that they could devote to themselves. Athleticism was widely recognized throughout the Roman world. The sports that were most common would have been the foot race, throwing the discus, the long jump, horseback riding, boxing, and wrestling (Albentiis 61). Furthermore, the people of Pompeii also enjoyed participating in and watching gladiatorial contests. These contests were usually held in the city’s amphitheaters. Most people enjoyed the entertainment of watching the game rather than participating in it (Albentiis 69). Gladiatorial contests were very dangerous for the participants. The injuries that could come from these events could be fatal. The danger that could come to the gladiators was the reason that few people actually took part in the