Pompei

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Pompei is a city in the province of Naples (Campania, Italy).

History

The gens Pompeia, who gave the name to the ancient city, was of Oscan origins. A settlement probably first appeared in this area around the 7th century BC, on what was an important crossroad between Cumae, Nola and Stabiae. According to Strabo, Pompei was also captured by the Etruscans. Recent excavations have shown the presence of Etruscan inscriptions and a 6th century necropolis.

Pompei was captured by the Greek colony of Cumae, allied with Syracuse, between 525 and 474 BC.

Pompei was caught up in the Samnite Wars (4th century) and forced to accept the status of socium of Rome. It did manage to maintain linguistic and administrative autonomy. Pompei remained faithful to Rome during the Second Punic War.

In the 4th century the city was fortified. Starting in the 2nd century BC intensive agricultural activity, including olive and wine production, caused Pompei to flourish.

In 91 BC, Pompei sided against Rome in the Social War and was later stormed by Sulla. In 80 BC a Roman general transferred a colony of military veterans to the city.

Destruction

In 79 AD it was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The famous Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder died while trying to save those trapped in the city. His nephew Pliny the Younger wrote an eyewitness account. The city was largely forgotten until the 17th century, and has been under more or less constant excavation since then.

Main sights

The city is mainly famous for the ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii, located in the frazione of Pompei Scavi.

The central basilica, dedicated to Madonna del Rosario di Pompei, has become a site for Catholic pilgrimages in recent years. It houses a canvas by Luca Giordano.

According to Claire Weiss, an area supervisor in the archaeological Anglo-American Project at the ruins of ancient Pompeii, while the rest of the world thinks of the city mainly in connection with the Roman ruins, "in Italy is better known for being home to the Cathedral of Pompei" ().

External links

• Official website
• Pompeii Travel Guide from Wikitravel

• Oficina de Turismo de Pompeya

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Last updated on Wednesday March 12, 2008 at 11:03:52 PDT (GMT -0700)
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