Mt. Vesuvius
What natural material preserved bodies and buildings in Pompeii, providing insights into ancient Roman life and comes from volcanoes?
volcanic ash (or pumice)
What did people of Pompeii eat for breakfast?
(List 2 items)
Bread, Cheese, and/or Fruit
What culture influenced Pompeii's architecture?
Greek culture
Who did we learn about that saw Mount Vesuvius erupt when he was just a teenager?
Pliny the Young
Which Pliny died while trying to help people during the volcano eruption?
Pliny the Elder
What neighboring city of Pompeii was also destroyed by Vesuvius' eruption?
Herculaneum
Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger were related in this way.
uncle and nephew
Which Roman god was known as the messenger of the gods and wore winged sandals?
Mercury
He is often depicted wearing winged sandals and a winged hat, which symbolize his speed and ability to travel quickly between the mortal and divine realms . These attributes highlight his role in delivering messages for the gods and guiding souls to the underworld.
In ancient Rome, gladiators were admired by many people. Some believed that using gladiator sweat could make them more attractive or healthy. Why do you think people might have believed this, and what does it tell us about how they viewed beauty and health during that time?
Answers will vary.
This shows that Roman society placed a lot of value on physical strength and appearance. Gladiators were seen as strong and brave, so people thought that using something from them, like their sweat, might give them some of that strength or charm.
Pliny the Younger wrote letters about important events in ancient Rome, like the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. These letters are primary sources because they were written by someone who experienced or witnessed the events. Why do you think reading Pliny's letters helps us understand ancient Roman life better than just reading a modern textbook?
Reading Pliny the Younger's letters is like stepping into the past through a time machine. Unlike textbooks, his firsthand accounts, like the vivid descriptions of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, offer a personal glimpse into Roman life. They help us understand what it was REALLY like to live in ancient Rome.
Imagine you're a chariot racer in ancient Rome, preparing to compete in the Circus Maximus—a massive stadium that could hold up to 250,000 cheering fans. The races are thrilling but extremely dangerous, with high speeds and sharp turns that often lead to crashes. Knowing the risks, why do you think racers were willing to participate, and what does this tell us about what was important in Roman society?
Despite the dangers, these races were immensely popular, drawing massive crowds and serving as a significant form of entertainment.
The popularity of these dangerous events suggests that Roman society placed a high value on bravery, competition, and public spectacle.
Pliny the Younger lived through the eruption but watched it safely from this town across the bay. What is the name of that bay?
Bay of Naples