On our way to the two main theaters of Pompeii (aside from the much larger amphitheater in the last post), we saw a large fancy house with many small frescoes inside.
Just outside the two theaters is the Temple of Asclepius, god of healing, based on recent statues found. Other gods and goddesses possibly worshiped here (based on archeological findings) were Jupiter, Hera, and Aphrodite. Not much is left now but a small altar in the middle.
From the temple we went through a small arch into the smaller theater called the Teatro Piccolo (also known as the Odeion), which was probably a covered theater with good acoustics. Musical performances and poetry readings were the main entertainment here.
Up a nearby staircase is the Teatro Grande, the 5000-seat theater carved out of the lava bed that Pompeii sits on. It was built in the second century BC. The stage area is large and hosted plays and larger concerts.
Behind the stage area is the Quadriportico dei Teatri where theater patrons would go to see and be seen in between performances at the theaters. Later, this area was used by gladiators as living quarters.
On the other side of the theaters from the Temple of Asclepius is a Doric Temple, probably dedicated to Athena and Hercules. The temple dates back to the 500s BC but had fallen into disuse before the eruption in AD 79.
This temple is part of the Triangular Forum, a small marketplace in the area.
Next up on the blog is the main forum!
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| Large house |
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| The outside wall with some writing on it |
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| Floor mosaic, not the famous Cave Canem which we will see later |
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| Another mosaic |
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| Fresco |
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| Blue wall with frescoes |
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| A nice portico |
Just outside the two theaters is the Temple of Asclepius, god of healing, based on recent statues found. Other gods and goddesses possibly worshiped here (based on archeological findings) were Jupiter, Hera, and Aphrodite. Not much is left now but a small altar in the middle.
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| Temple of Asclepius |
From the temple we went through a small arch into the smaller theater called the Teatro Piccolo (also known as the Odeion), which was probably a covered theater with good acoustics. Musical performances and poetry readings were the main entertainment here.
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| Archway to Odeion! |
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| The small theater |
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| This guy puts the "hand" in hand railing |
Up a nearby staircase is the Teatro Grande, the 5000-seat theater carved out of the lava bed that Pompeii sits on. It was built in the second century BC. The stage area is large and hosted plays and larger concerts.
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| Stairs to the cheap seats |
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| View from the cheap seats |
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| The stage area |
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| L and D in the theater |
Behind the stage area is the Quadriportico dei Teatri where theater patrons would go to see and be seen in between performances at the theaters. Later, this area was used by gladiators as living quarters.
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| Quadriportico |
On the other side of the theaters from the Temple of Asclepius is a Doric Temple, probably dedicated to Athena and Hercules. The temple dates back to the 500s BC but had fallen into disuse before the eruption in AD 79.
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| Doric temple foundation |
This temple is part of the Triangular Forum, a small marketplace in the area.
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| Triangular Forum columns |
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| Nearby water fountain (off in the cold weather) |
Next up on the blog is the main forum!
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