Pompeii and Herculaneum Influence of Greek and Egyptian Cultures

1. Pompeii and HerculaneumInfluence of Greek and Egyptian Cultures Art Architecture Religion

2. ART Throughout the Roman world, there was a fashion for covering the walls of both public and private buildings with paintings. Only those areas isolated from view, such as kitchens and slave quarters, were usually devoid of wall paintings. Because very few inhabitants of Pompeii and Herculaneum could afford to decorate their homes in original Greek art, they had to be satisfied with imitations of their walls of sacred Greek landscapes, Greek panel painting and Greek mythology. The names of individual artists were not usually left with the painting, however Pliny the Elder does offer some insight as to who the original Greek artists were and their works and which Romans duplicated these. For example, Pireikos, 4BC, painted numerous still life and was followed by Poxis, of Rome, in the late Republican period. According to Pliny, it was Pireikos work from which the miniature representations on the walls- both fresco and mosaic- of Pompeian houses were copied.

3. ARCHITECTURE Pompeii and Herculaneum reflect a strong Greek influence from the earliest days of settlement when Greek colonies were the cultural leaders. Roman architecture was characterized by Greek architectural elements. Temples, public buildings and private houses from the pre- Roman era were dominated by the use of Greek columns of three architectural orders, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. For example, the Basilica of Pompeii, located in the Forum as built using columns from all three orders. Due to the use of Greek architectural elements, early Pompeii and Herculaneum were distinctly Greek in character. The early Triangular Forum at Pompeii , which is dated back to approximately 6BC, is generally viewed as a Greek space. The later Palaestra (Pompeii) and gymnasium (Herculaneum) also reflect the Hellenistic architectural tradition. Every Greek city had a theatre where plays were performed and Pompeii is no exception. The theatre at Pompeii, built before Rome had a theatre in 2 BC, represents another cultural borrowing from Greek cities.

4. RELIGION For the people of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the performance of religious duty was a vital component of everyday life. To win the favour of the Gods was a necessity and it was believed this was achieved through constant worship. Greeks had settled in Campania well before Roman occupation. The earliest temple in Pompeii was the Doric Temple, most likely dedicated to the Greek god, Hercules. Herculaneum had strong links to Greek religion, as is illustrated through their employment of Hercules as their patron. Many Greek gods were adapted by the Romans in the development of their religious beliefs. The most notable of these was Apollo. This is evident through the existence of a large temple on the Western side of the Forum which was dedicated to him.

5. Photograph of the Early Triangular Forum at Pompeii The Early Triangular Forum is estimated to date back to 6 BC and is generally interpreted as a Greek space. On the basis of these remains a theory has formed which suggests Pompeii was an early Greek outpost, used by colonists to control the port linked with the town. The Forum is entered through an archway which consists of six Ionic columns. On three sides of an archaic temple, there is a colonnade of 95 Doric Columns.

6. Photograph of The House of Telephus in Herculaneum Early Herculaneum is not so easily investigated, due to the incomplete status of excavations, however, its houses demonstrate a strong Greek influence, particularly through the use of columns. This photo is of the House of Telephus, which illustrates the influence of Greek culture in Herculaneum through the columns located around the building.

7. Photograph of a Corinthian Column There were three Greek architectural orders evident in Pompeii and Herculaneum. They are distinguished through the columns which characterize their structures. They are as follows; ٭ Doric: Plain in style with a large base ٭ Ionic: Elaborately decorated with intricate details. ٭ Corinthian: Elaborately carved with finely worked ornamentation, usually in the form of vegetation. This Corinthian column is one of many which frame the entrance to the Samnite House in Herculaneum.

8. Photograph of Great Theatre at Pompeii The Great Theatre at Pompeii was cut into the hillside in the Second century BC. The design of the Theatre was Greek in nature, although classic Greek theatre was probably not performed there. A mosaic found in the Villa of Cicero depicts a scene from an Ancient Greek comedy, however it is unlikely it was performed there. kjk

9. Remains of Doric Temple, Pompeii Only traces remain of the Doric Temple, known to be the earliest temple in Pompeii. However, what little does remain reflects the early Greek influences of the region. It is believed to have been dedicated to Greek god’s Hercules and Minerva.

10. Photograph of the Temple of Apollo, Pompeii Worship of Apollo, the oracular God, is believed to have been introduced to Pompeii in during the 6th century. The god’s sanctuary, on what became the western side of the Forum, was rebuilt during the 2nd century according to Hellenistic models. Outside the temple stood a marble altar for sacrificial purposes. These sacrifices were made in the honour of Apollo. Roman Emperor Augustus, adopted the god as his patron, and as a result worship of Apollo became an Imperial cult.

11. Fresco from the Villa of Mysteries The cult of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and fertility, offered “an escape from worldly reality into mystic communion with the god and the promise of a blessed life after death. (Grant) Originally only attended by women, but was transformed to allow men and the extension of rites to 5 times a month. According to Livy, “to the religious content were added the pleasures of wine and feasting.” Ibid claims, “Men, apparently out of their wits, would utter prophesises with frenzied body convulsions.” This fresco, taken from the Villa of Mysteries is one of a series of paintings which depict Dionysian rituals. This particular painting is from the central panel. Historians differ, not only in their interpretation of the paintings, but in the purpose they believed they served.

12. Fresco from the House of Venus in a Sea Shell, Pompeii. The goddess Venus, the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Aphrodite, was worshipped in Pompeii in a cult that emphasized her role as protectress of the city. She was associated with fertility, love and good luck. An election notice from Pompeii reads, “Vote for me and Venus Pompeiana will bring you success.” A great number of representations of Venus have been found in Pompeii. She is often depicted nude, reclining in a sea shell , accompanied by nereids, dolphins and cherubs. The patron of Herculaneum was another Greek god, Hercules. Hercules was worshipped in Herculaneum, where he was regarded as the founder, from an early date and at Pompeii where his cult was popular with traders and sailors because of his legendary journeys.

13. Fresco- The Sacrifice of Iphigenia, Pompeii It was common for houses in Pompeii and Herculaneum to have Greek mythological or religious paintings decorating the walls. This fresco from the House of the Tragic Poet in Pompeii is a representation of the Greek mythological Sacrifice of Iphigenia.

14. Wall Painting from the Villa Oplonti, Pompeii Most people in Pompeii and Herculaneum could not afford to have the elaborate gardens deemed fashionable and so Greek style gardens and architectural features were painted on the walls of houses. This fresco, from the Villa of Oplonti, is a garden wall painting framing a room which was an inside garden. “The development of ancient wall decoration came…in the hands of the Greek masters.” -Francis Mau, ‘Pompeii, Its Life and Art.’

15. Mosaic, The House of the Labyrinth, Pompeii This mosaic probably dates to about the first century AD, which means it was relatively new when covered by the volcanic eruption. The cockfight mosaic was constructed from thousands of "tesserae" made from various types of stone; tesserae were carefully cut "tiles" that were square in shape and standardized in terms of color and texture so that subjects could be portrayed as lifelike as possible. Cockfighting was a popular sport in both ancient Greece and Rome.According to one scholar, roosters were carefully trained for their matches and were fed onion and garlic to strengthen them. As in modern cockfights, metal claws were often fastened to their spurs. There may be some religious significance in this mosaic, as the wand of mercury can be seen on the table behind the dueling birds. 

16. Statues of Greek gods, Pompeii Statues of Greek gods are a common sight in both Pompeii and Herculaneum. The statue of Hercules (left) was found in a villa outside Pompeii. The statue of Apollo (right) is located at his temple in Pompeii. Copies of the original Greek statues are located at the Villa of the Papyri