New Pompeii finds highlight middle-class life in doomed city
New discoveries in Pompeii shed light on the daily lives of the middle class in the ancient Roman city that was famously buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The recent finds, announced by Pompeii’s archaeological park, offer valuable insights into the domestic environment of ordinary citizens who lived in the city before its destruction in 79 A.D.
Traditionally, archaeological excavations in Pompeii have focused on the opulent villas of the upper class. However, in recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on exploring the lives of the middle class, servants, and enslaved individuals in the sprawling site near Naples, Italy.
According to Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of Pompeii’s archaeological park, the latest discoveries were made in a “domus,” or home, that was first uncovered in 2018. These findings provide a glimpse into the lives of the middle-class residents who struggled with their social status in the Roman empire.
Zuchtriegel highlighted that a significant portion of the population faced challenges in terms of social status, especially during times of political crises and food shortages. However, they were also ambitious and aspired to climb the social ladder.
The newly unveiled artifacts include furnishings and household objects from the domus, which is known as the House of the Larario due to an area dedicated to domestic spirits called lares. While the courtyard of the home had a lavishly decorated cistern, the limited financial resources of the residents prevented them from decorating all five rooms. One room, for example, had unpainted walls and an earthen floor that was likely used for storage.
These recent discoveries offer a deeper understanding of the middle-class inhabitants of Pompeii and provide a more comprehensive picture of life in the city before its tragic demise. The ongoing excavations and research in Pompeii continue to uncover valuable historical information that contributes to our knowledge of ancient Roman civilization.
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