Pompeii Uncovered: From Daily Life to Disaster with Dr. Helena Meskanen
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Recent archaeological work in Pompeii has offered us new information about the long history people in the city had with the looming volcano, still seen towering in the near distance. What was life like next to an active volcano? Who lived here, and what do we know about the everyday life in the city?
We will start our conversation with an exploration of life in the Roman city, through the lives of both the well-known and the anonymous inhabitants. Focusing on the house of Caecilius Iucundus, we will explore how the son of a freed slave ended up a wealthy banker with a beautifully decorated house. We will discuss what life was like in his house, and the streets surrounding it, with street food vendors, bakers, and industry all around. Taking a walk from the house to visit one of the city’s bath houses, Caecilius would have seen ongoing election campaign notices, imperial propaganda, and religious services. But then, in 62 AD, a warning came in the form of an earthquake. We will examine how the city, and Caecilius’ household responded to it, not knowing what was to come. When the eruption finally happened in 79 AD, we have an eye witness account and archaeological evidence to tell the tragic stories of those who perished. We will finish the conversation with a discussion of the current excavations, and the various challenges it encounters. Vesuvius is still an active volcano, and the site requires preventative work against other natural and human made challenges as well.
Led by an archaeologist with several years of experience excavating in southern Italy, Dr Helena Meskanen, this interactive seminar will offer a deep dive into life and disaster in Pompeii. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with a greater sense of life in an ancient Roman city and their response to natural disasters.
Please note: this conversation will not be recorded. Access to a recording is not possible.
Dr. Helena Meskanen is an archaeologist specializing in ancient Greece, with research focusing on ancient Spartan religion. She has been leading tours of the British Museum for 3 years and feels passionate about the wide range of objects on display, and the stories they tell about the museum and the cultures that created them.
This conversation is not suitable for children under age 16
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
This program was a very informative examination about how the Pompeiians lived, worked, and ultimately perished at the time of Vesuvius's eruption. The presenter used detailed maps of the city plan and guided us through areas with her orange dot marker (very helpful). Viewers saw the Forum, the Bath Houses (and learned how the water was acquired but could be "nasty" due to its stagnation), the plots of many tavernas which sold street food (unhygienic by today's standards), and learned about the posted content of various samples of graffiti. I enjoyed the tour and mock-up of the large home of a rich banker--helps to understand how some lived. As expected, a discussion of the destructive natural disasters (earthquake of AD 69 and volcano eruption of AD 79) was provided at the end along with what is being done re: excavation and maintenance of this valuable time capsule. As I have visited this site twice, was most interested in this session and learned even more!
Dr. Meskanen provides a comprehensive overview of life and death in Pompeii from the perspective of an archeologist. She is well-organized, uses visuals effectively and is a cheerful enthusiastic speaker.
I especially liked that Dr.Meskanen began the program by showing detailed maps, first of the location of the various cities affected by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and then of the plat and layout of Pompeii. This helped me visualize both the scope of the later devastation and the everyday life in Pompeii. I only wish the program had been longer, to allow for more focus on the devastation of the eruption and perhaps what happened to the citizens who managed to flee to safety.
Dr. Meskanen provided a vivid picture of life in Pompeii and the destruction and deaths caused by the volcano. she is an excellent lecturer and very knowledgeable.