Immediate Effects of the Eruption of Vesuvius on Pompeii  

The bodies of Pompeiians were buried in the ash from Mount Vesuvius. The most likely cause of death was asphyxiation. The forms of their bodies were preserved in the volcanic ash in whatever pose they were in at that moment while attempting to resist this eruption which was happening all around them. The soft organic matter of their bodies decayed - only the skeletons remain within these forms.

 

To the consciousness of humans at that time, the immediate effect was of the danger to their life! The eruption from nearby Mount Vesuvius, on August 24th, 79 AD, killed everyone who was unfortunate to be in that city and get caught under the rain of volcanic material. These are plaster casts of the actual bodies of a group of residents of Pompeii who attempted refuge by a garden wall on that day.

 By a garden wall "Plaster casts"
How were these produced?
Archaeologists, beginning around 1860, poured liquid plaster into cavities of the hardened cinder and ash which buried the bodies. When this hardened cinder and ash (from 79 AD) was carefully removed, the forms of the bodies as they had remained posed on that day, were revealed in a plaster likeness. Additionally, trees, animals, anything organic, would also be cast in plaster.

Quis es tu?

Ego sum Euclio. Senex Sum.

What a tragedy for all the people in Pompeii on that day!

"The removal of Pompeii from the face of the earth by such a disaster was not purposeless."

A contempory writer's explanation in light of Allah's Laws as written in the Qur'an is related here.

Quis es tu?

Ego sum Phaedra.
Filia Euclionis Sum.

Photographs of the City Today After Excavation by Archaeologists

 

Now, about eighty percent excavated, the buried city was not discovered until almost 1600. It had laid mostly unknown for approximately 1,520 years. Serious excavations only began in 1748 (under Bourbon Carlo III). This view is from inside the Basilica, looking toward the podium and a doorway in the corner. This photograph was taken by myself on my visit there on January 1, 2003.

 The Basilica "The Basilica"
What is this place?
This building was an important center of the city's economic life. It was a seat of judgements and resolution of diputes of a commercial and civil nature. The proceedings were conducted by a tribunal of magistrates who would be stationed on the podium.

Quis es tu?

Ego sum Phaedra.
Filia Euclionis Sum.

Graffitti can still be seen on the walls and some columns of this building, inscribed from those many years ago.

Traces of former residents remain. Most significant is the carrying over in form to our present day Law proceedings.

Subtle traces and more obvious influence remain...

 Quis es tu?

Staphyla sum,
Serua Euclionis.

 

The Temple of Fortuna Augusta - another photograph I took. (I'm quite sure that is what this is. It was a big city with several temples. I didn't have a guide and only finally went in the afternoon after climbing Mount Vesuvius and looking within the crater.)

 Temple of Fortuna Augusta Dedicated to the Imperial Cult, The Temple of Fortuna Augusta, as seen here, was built in year 3 A.D. by Marcus Tullius. The male statue is a representation of Caesar Augustus. (I'm not sure who the female statue represents.)

Quis es tu?

Ego sum Euclio. Senex Sum.

Excavated from the ashes, among a quiet, desolate city in which people and some stray dogs wander about.

The statues solidly stand, as if ready to speak and move. They remain prepared for any eternal worshippers.

 Quis es tu?

Staphyla sum,
Serua Euclionis.

Here is a view inside of one of the houses of Pompeii. Specifically, this is the House of Paquius Proculus. The "hole" in the center of the floor of this central area of the house is an "impluvium", or pool. This central area of the house is the "peristilium" - an inner courtyard (mostly open to the sky) around which the house's private rooms opened. (This was a typical layout of a Pompeian house.)

 

House of Pacquis Proculus

Paquis Proculus, the owner of this house at that time, was an influential person whose name recurs in various electoral programmes. This atrium section of the tiled floor seen in the foreground here is a mosaic portraying different animals. The floor at the other end, the vestibule, contains an image of a dog chained to a leaf of the door with the words, "CAVE CANEM!" (Beware of the Dog!)

A painting unearthed from Pompeii which
portrays Paquis Proculus and his wife

 

The language of the day, Latin, has had a profound influence in the development of the modern English Language. Latin is obviously at the origin of the Romance Languages of Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian.

A likely "conversation ender" from the time:

Di! Ecce hora! Uxor mea necabit!
God, Look at the time! My wife will kill me!


Qui estis? Familia Euclionis sumus.

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