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NSWAncient History

Section I (Core Study): Cities of Vesuvius - Pompeii and Herculaneum

8 dot points across 8 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What evidence does the archaeology reveal about the economy of Pompeii and Herculaneum?

The economy of Pompeii and Herculaneum, including trade, commerce, industries, occupations, and the archaeological and inscriptional evidence for them
A focused answer to the HSC Ancient History Core Study dot point on the economy of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Wine and oil production, garum manufacture, the wool industry, named occupations, the role of the Forum and harbour, with evidence from amphorae, electoral graffiti, and the workshops of Pompeii.
7 min answer →

What happened in the AD 79 eruption and what does the evidence reveal?

The eruption of Mt Vesuvius in AD 79 and the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum, including the literary evidence (Pliny the Younger), the volcanological evidence, the human evidence (body casts and skeletons), and the date controversy
A focused answer to the HSC Ancient History Core Study dot point on the AD 79 eruption. Pliny the Younger's letters, the volcanological reconstruction by Sigurdsson, the body casts and skeletons, the August vs October date debate, and the verdicts of Beard and Lazer.
8 min answer →

What evidence remains for everyday life in Pompeii and Herculaneum?

Everyday life in Pompeii and Herculaneum, including leisure activities, food, housing, water supply and sanitation, and the evidence from frescoes, archaeology, and inscriptions
A focused answer to the HSC Ancient History Core Study dot point on everyday life. Roman housing (the atrium-peristyle plan), food and the thermopolia, leisure (baths, theatres, amphitheatre, brothels), water supply via the Castellum Aquae, and the verdicts of Wallace-Hadrill and Mary Beard.
7 min answer →

What is the geographical and historical context of Pompeii and Herculaneum?

The geographical setting and physical environment of Pompeii and Herculaneum, including the Bay of Naples, the role of Mt Vesuvius, the natural features, resources, and the historical development of the two cities from Oscan settlement to Roman colony
A focused answer to the HSC Ancient History Core Study dot point on the geographical and historical context of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The Bay of Naples, Mt Vesuvius, the development of the two cities, the Samnite and Roman colonisation, and the long history of investigation since 1748.
7 min answer →

How have Pompeii and Herculaneum been investigated and interpreted from 1748 to today?

Investigating and interpreting the sources from Pompeii and Herculaneum, including the history of excavation from 1748, the methodologies of Fiorelli, Maiuri, and Wallace-Hadrill, conservation issues, and ethical debates about display
A focused answer to the HSC Ancient History Core Study dot point on investigation and interpretation. From Alcubierre and the 1748 Pompeii excavations to Fiorelli's body casts and regio system, Maiuri at Herculaneum, the Anglo-American Conservation Project under Wallace-Hadrill, conservation crises, and the ethics of displaying human remains.
7 min answer →

How did local political life operate in Pompeii and Herculaneum?

Local political life in Pompeii and Herculaneum, including magistracies, the decurional council, electoral campaigns, and the evidence from electoral programmata
A focused answer to the HSC Ancient History Core Study dot point on local political life. The duoviri and aediles, the decurional council, the AD 79 election campaign and its electoral programmata, the named candidates and their supporters, and the verdicts of Mouritsen and Cooley.
7 min answer →

What is the evidence for religion in Pompeii and Herculaneum?

Religion in Pompeii and Herculaneum, including Roman state cult, the imperial cult, household religion (the lararium), and foreign cults including Isis, the Capitoline Triad, and Sabazius
A focused answer to the HSC Ancient History Core Study dot point on religion. The Capitoline Triad, the imperial cult and the Eumachia building, household religion and the lararium, the Temple of Isis, and the verdicts of Beard and Cooley.
7 min answer →

How did the social structure of Pompeii and Herculaneum operate, and what evidence remains?

The social structure of Pompeii and Herculaneum, including men, women, freedmen, and slaves, with archaeological, inscriptional, and skeletal evidence
A focused answer to the HSC Ancient History Core Study dot point on social structure. The honestiores and humiliores, freedmen and slaves, women and the patronage of Eumachia, evidence from electoral graffiti and the Herculaneum skeletons, with the verdicts of Wallace-Hadrill and Cooley.
7 min answer →