Quick questions on Everyday life in Pompeii and Herculaneum: HSC Ancient History

The wealthy Roman domus combined a public reception space (the atrium with impluvium and tablinum) with a private internal courtyard (the peristyle). Elite houses at Pompeii include the House of the Faun (c. 3,000 square metres, with the Alexander mosaic), the House of the Vettii (freedmen merchants), the House of the Tragic Poet (with the "Cave Canem" mosaic), and the House of the Menander (associated with Quintus Poppaeus, possibly a relative of Nero's wife Poppaea).

Wall paintings are categorised in four styles (a scheme proposed by August Mau in 1882).

Diet evidence comes from carbonised food remains (figs, olives, bread, eggs at the House of Iulius Polybius), kitchen archaeology (the carbonised loaves of the Bakery of Modestus), and the over 150 thermopolia.

The thermae were the centre of social life. Three major bath complexes at Pompeii: the Stabian Baths (oldest, 2nd century BC), the Forum Baths (1st century BC), and the Central Baths (under construction in AD 79).

The Large Theatre at Pompeii (5,000 seats), rebuilt under the patronage of Marcus Holconius Rufus and his brother, hosted tragedy, comedy, and mime. The smaller Odeon (covered, around 1,500 seats) hosted recitations and music. The Quadriporticus dei Teatri (originally a portico) was repurposed as the Gladiator Barracks after the AD 62 earthquake.

The Lupanare on the Vicolo del Lupanare is the best-preserved Roman brothel. Two storeys, ten small cells, painted erotic vignettes above each doorway, and around 120 graffiti naming prostitutes (often slaves with Greek names) and clients. Prices were low (often two asses, comparable to a loaf of bread).

The Aqua Augusta (Serino aqueduct, c. 20 BC under Augustus) supplied the Bay of Naples region. At Pompeii, the Castellum Aquae near the Porta Vesuvio (the city's highest point) distributed water through three lead pipes: one for public street fountains (around 40 city-wide), one for the baths, and one for private connections (paid by tax).

Stucco simulating coloured marble.

Trompe-l'oeil architecture creating illusionary depth, as in the Villa of the Mysteries.

Delicate ornamental designs with central mythological scenes on monochrome panels.

Fantasy architecture combined with mythological vignettes. The House of the Vettii is the canonical example.

Herculaneum's smaller scale and better preservation (especially of upper storeys, wooden furniture, and organic materials) is distinctive.

Memorise the four styles (Mau 1882) and their date ranges.

Section I has used water-supply sources in 2022 verbatim. Memorise the Castellum Aquae, the three lead pipes, and the 40 public fountains.

Tacitus Annals 14.17 + the House of Actius Anicetus fresco is a routinely tested combination.