DG 10 >/€-^ ■r^':^- ^/ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Shelf .4I.G..7 a UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. PRICE. ^ CENTS /n^morlal^iall, pairmoupt park. PHILADELPHIA: EDWARD STERN & CO.. PUBLISHERS. .^™ *i- DESC R I P riON POMPEIAN Ruins, Restorations and Scenes KXHIBITKD AT TIT^ POMPEIAN NIUSEUM, MEMORIAL HALL, FAIRMOUNT PARK. (PUBI,I,SHKD KY AUTHORITY OF THE) PARK COMMISSION.) REVISED EDITION. >^K I COPYRIGHT- PHILADELPHIA : EDWARD STERN & C' 1890. ^^<.^^ COPYRIGHTED 6Y EDWARD STERN & CO. 1890. OTE. In preparing a third edition of the Description of Pompeian Ruins, Restorations and Scenes exhibited at the Pompeian Museum, the com- piler has endeavored to gratify the oft-expressed desire for fuller information as to the objects there illustrated. For the guidance of those who wish to consult more detailed descriptions than are here offered, a list of works relating to Pompeii will be found on page 15. The compiler has drawn largely upon Dr. Dyer's Pompeii : Its History, buildings and Antiquities, availing himself, at times, of the very words of the terse and graphic descriptions with which it abounds. HISTOMieAl^ KOTIC£. POMPEII, a city of Campania, was built at the mouth of the river Sarnus (Same), looking out on the Bay of Naples. It stood at the base of Mount Vesuvius, between Herculaneum and Stabiae. Of its early history but little is known. (Legend ascribed its foundation to Hercules.) We can only safely assert that it was successively occupied by the Etruscans and Samnites. The Campanians were conquered by Rome in B. C. 340, but Pompeii preserved its independence for some years longer. In B. C. 310, a Roman fleet under Publius Cornelius attacked the Pompeian>, but was repulsed. Another period of oLscurity follows, and we hear no more of the city until the outbreak of the Social or Marsic War, in B. C. 91, by which time it had undoubtedly become an ally or tributary of Rome. Its delightful situation, it^ genial climate, and its numerous sources of recreation, soon attracted to it the wealthier Romans, many of whom, includ- ing Cicero, had villas in its suburbs. In A. D. 79 occurred that terrific eruption of Vesuvius, which, in one day, overwhelmed in irremediable ruin the towns of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabise. Pompeii, from its elevated position, could not have been destroyed by lava. It was buried under a mass of calcined pumice stone, — lapillo, as the Italians call it, — which descended in such amazing quantities as to form an accumulation over the city full twenty feet in depth. Showers of rocks and stones were also among the fatal agents of ruin, and the immense volumes of water which poured down mixed with the ashes that had already fallen and were still suspended in the air, and formed a kind of liquid mud, which flowed into and filled the remotest buildings , In course of time a small village rose at or near the spot; by and by the memory of Pompeii was forgotten ; for centuries, its very site was unknown. Thus it remained for sixteen hundred and seventy-six years ; for, although indications of its ruins were observed in 1689, the excavations did not com- mence until 1755. -^°^ ^^^ ^^ ^y ^^^ eruption alone that the city was covered to the present depth, which is from twelve to fourteen feet. Successive layers are clearly to be traced, and the lowest bears marks of having been moved, whilst the others are untouched, — a plain proof that some time elapsed between the deposits, and that the inhabitants had made excavations in search of their more valuable property. The upper stories of the buildings, which were probably composed of word, were either destroyed by the burning lava which fell upon them, or forced inward by the weight of the enormous superincumbent mass, or the violence with which it descended. With this exception, we see a beautiful and once flourishing city, just as it existed nearly eighteen centuries ago. The buildings stand as they were originally designed, unviolated by time or fashion, and, in some instances, memorials of a more impressive character bear sad testimony to the suddenness and completeness of the calamity which overwhelmed the city. The excavations, visited by travellers from all parts of the world, are rirvw prosecuted with vigor by the Italian Government, The scenes and views in this collection were executed by Signor Cesare Uva, of Naples. BBSCHIPTIONS — OF THE — RUINS. RESTORATIONSAI SCENES ■EXHIBITED IN THE- POM PBIAM ©AMBMY^ FAIRMOUNT PARK. The views of the ruins are taken from the originals by the system of Photo- Sculpture invented by the artist, Giacomo Luzzati, originally of the Pompeiorama and director of the Royal Calcography of Naples. The views of restorations are taken from the plans of the localities, and interpreted ac- cording to the architectural remains now existing. The collection here exhibited was purchased by our distinguished fellow- citizen, the Hon. John Welsh (at the time U. S. Minister at the Court of St. James), and by him presented to the Park Commission. i' MIS. FORA, STREETS, HOUSES, TEMPLES AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS. I . Civic Forum. — A vast area, with porticoes and columns at the sides ; its end is opposite to the Temple of Jupiter. National assemblies were held there with great pomp, and equestrian statues raised to great men. 6 7 Most of the streets of Pompeii led up a considerable ascent to the elevated sight of the Forum, which was distant about four hundred yards from the Herculaneu>n Gate and the Great Theatre. 2. Triiimplial Arch. 3. Tribunal. — Formerly called the Curia Isiaca, and the "School," an oblong open court, 75 feet long by 57 v/ide^ surrounded on three sides by a portico of the Doric order,, with two chambers at one end, supposed to be the crypt, .and an elevated////////^;;/ for the judge at the side. Its uses cannot be accurately determined, but it seems to have been the tribunal alluded to in an inscription found in the Greater Temple : M. M. HOLCOXI. RVFVS FI. CELER CRVPTAM. TRIBVNAL. THEATRVM. S.P. AD DECVS. COLOXLE. [Marcus Holconius Rufus, son of Marcus, built the crypt, tribunal and theatre for the honor of the city (Colonia).] 4. Temple of Mercury. — A pretty temple, opposite the Forum, which is now used as a repository for marbles and terra-cotta discovered in the excavations, but not deemed worthy of a place in the Museum. In the centre of the court is an altar of white marble, bearing an unfinished bas- relief, which has been imagined to represent Cicero sacri- ficing, from a supposed resemblance of the principal figure to that great orator. 8 5- Temple of Fortime. — A small Corinthian temple, at the corner of the street of Fortune and th^ street leading to the Forum. It was dedicated to Fortune by Marcus Tullius, a private person, supposed to have been a descendant of the great Cicero. 6. House of the Faun. — On the north side of the street of Fortune, just beyond the Temple of Fortune, and on the other side of the way. It is the most spacious and beautiful in Pompeii ; it was discovered in 1830, and excavated in that and the following two years. On a little base on one of its sides was found the bronze statuette of the Dancing Faun, now in the Museum at Na- ples, from which the house derives its name. 7. Edifice of Eumachia. — Erected by the priestess Eu- machia, as indicated by the inscription on the door ; its pur- pose has not yet been ascertained. It is supposed to have been the Exchange. 8. House of Cornelius Rufus. — A large and handsome dwelling, recently excavated. A marble bust of the owner, as large as life, of excellent workmanship, and inscribed with his name, was discovered in this ruin. 9. Bake ^Houses and Mills. 10. Tragic Theatre. — The theatre was erected on tlie slope of a hill, the corridor being the highest part, so that the audience upon entering descended to their seats, and the vast staircases, which conducted to the upper seats of the theatre and amphitheatres of Rome, were saved. By the side of the first entrance is a staircase which led up to the women's gallery above the corridor; here the seats were partitioned into compartments, like our boxes. The benches were about one foot three inches high and two feet four inches wide. One foot three inches and a half were allowed to each spectator, as may be ascertained in one part, where the divisions are marked off and numbered. There is space to contain about five thousand persons. Here the middle classes sat, usually upon cushions which they brought with them; the men of rank sat in the orchestra below, on chairs of state carried thither by their slaves. Flanking the orches- tra, and elevated considerably above it, are observable two divisions, appropriated, one perhaps to the proconsul, or duumvirs and their officers, the other to the vestal virgins or to the use of the person who gave the entertainments. 11. Street of tlie Public Seat. — Near the Herculaneum Gate, with a niche for the weary traveller. 1 2. Street of Tombs. — From the Herculaneum Gate to the village Augusto Felice. 13. General Panorama of Ponipeian Excavations [bird' s- eye view). — Taken from nature, from a tower erected for that purpose at Pompeii. lO llestaratiaus. 14. Restoration of the Civic Forum. — Corresponding tc ruin No. i. 15. Restoration of tJie House of Alconio. — (Excavated in 1861.) 16. Restoration of the House of Ariadne. — Known also as the House of the Colored Capitals. It derives its first name from a picture representing the abandonment of Ari- adne ; the other name is taken from the columns of the peri style, the capitals of which were painted in bright colors. This building is of considerable size and elegance. 17. Restoration of the House of Marcus Lucretius. (Exca- vated in 1847). — One of the richest in sculptures and paint ings, and especially remarkable for its elevated gardens, ornamented with numerous statues, and pretty fountain. In a room of the peristyle was discovered a painting in- scribed M. Lucretio Flatn. Martio Decurioni Pompei ; whence it has been inferred the house belonged to one Marcus Lucretius, a Flamen of Mars and Decuric of Pompeii. 18. Restoration of the Temple of Fortune. — Correspond- ing to ruin No. 5. 19. Restoration of the House of the Faun. — Correspond- ing to ruin No. 6. 20. Restoration of the House of Fansa. — For regularity of plan and extent, one of the most remarkable contained within the walls. It was evidently the residence of one of the chief men of Pompeii, and from the words PANSAM. y^D., painted in red near the principal entrance, but now obliterated, has been usually denominated the House of Pansa. 21. Restoration of the House of Cornelius Rufus. — Cor- responding to ruin No. 8. 2 2. The House of the Tragic Poet was excavated in the year 1824, and excited universal admiration from the num- ber and beauty of its paintings. Of these, some have been removed to the Museum at Naples ; the rest have perished^ or are perishing. 23. Restoration of the I ublic Baths. — A vast and elegant establishment, separated into two compartments ; the walls are decorated with pictures and colored bas-rclicfs. Scenes of ^0nipnan f ik ERUPTION OF MOUNT VESUVIUS. 24. A solemn sacrifice at the Temple of Venus. White bulls are taken to the altar and sacrified. The priests recite prayers, and the people witness with music and singing. 25. Criminal yudguient in the Basilica. — Publius Ame- tistus, a young nobleman accused of sacrilege, is taken back to prison after the public hearing. The magistrates engrave their vote on tablets, and, with hand and arm bare, place it in the urn. The lawyers' for the defence are within the ring, before the statue of Justice. Soldiers keep back the crowd. The ladies and people of distinction are seated on the balcony. Publius Ametistus is condemned to death. 26. Festival in the House of Arrius Dioinedes. — Large building with garden, surrounded by colonnade and corrid- ors ; underneath are cellars, in which were found many human skeletons. This house is called Diomedes', from the tomb discovered close by, bearing the name of Marcus Ar- rius Diomedes. All that is known of the owner or his family ma)= be .ompiled in one sentence, which, short as it is, speaks for- cibly to our feelings. Their life was one of luxury and enjoy- ment, in the midst of which death came on them by surprise, — a death of singular and lingering agony. 27. Funeral of a Pompeian Noblemayi. 28. Public Market at the Triangular Forum.— \\\ the area comprised within the Forum, the Theatre and the Temple 13 of Hercules^ congregate all grades of traders. In the left alley, preceded by the priests, many beasts are led to the altar to be sacrificed. In front, stand the corn merchants, a few jewellers and idol-mongers, also the women who draw water at the well. 29. E Lection of Deputies in the Civic Forum. 30. Combat of Gladiators in the Amphitheatre. — The steps are crowded with spectators; in the first row on the left are the nobles and the vestals. In the arena several couples of gladiators are fighting at the same time, some on horseback and some on foot with swords and shields; others with the net and trident. The dead are dragged out with hooks. The director of the games is leading others to the arena, for the fights to come. Meanwhile, the life of one who has fallen wounded is spared by a signal given by the people, in raising their arms and crying : "Non habet!" 3 1 . Quarrel between the Pompeians and the Nucertans in the corridors of the Amphitheatre. In the year 59, Livineus Regulus, who had been ban- ished from Rome, and had, as it appears, fixed his abode at Pompeii, gave in the amphitheatre some grand gladiatorial shows, which were attended by the inhabitants of the neigh- boring towns. During the exhibition, a quarrel, which orig- inated in certain provincial sarcasms, arose between the 14 Pompeians and the people of Nuceria. The Nucerians were worsted, and carried their complaint before the Emperor Nero, who ordered the amphitheatre to be closed for ten years. In one of its corridors the combatants are fighting and crowding ; at the further end are seen the circus and wild beasts. 32. Glaucus in the arena of the Amphitheatre, condemned to wrestle zvith a Lion. 33. Last days of Pompeii (in the street leading to the Temple of Fortune). — On the 13th of September, in the )'ear 79 of the Christian era, Vesuvius, which was consid- ered a volcano extinguished forever, unexpectedly broke out in an eruption of flames, scoriae, ashes and boiling water. The Pompeians, surprised and terrified, sought refuge in flight. Some, lost in the darkness, broken only by the lightning, use burning torches which scarcely resist the wind ; others are suffocated by the heavy and sulphurous atmosphere ; some, trying to get away on chariots, run against each other. The temples and houses are trembling; the earth shakes ; all is confusion and horror. This terrible scene lasted a week, after which Pompeii had disappeared, not to come to light again for eighteen centuries. 34. Last eruption of Mount Vesuvius, April 2 2d, 'y2. — Seen from Naples ; taken from the elevation of Posilippo, at the celebrated Villa Maggolina. Morks |ielating k ^ompeii. Adams — The Buried Cities of Campania; i vol., i2mo. London: T. M^^Uou & Sons, 1868. Barre — Herctilaneum and Pompeii ; 8 vols., 8vo. Didot, Paris. Breton — Pompei: Decrite et Dessinee ; 8vo. Paris, 1865. Donaldson — Pompeii ; 2 vols. London, 1827. Dyer — Pompeii: Its History, Buildings and Antiquities; i vol., 8vo. London: Bell & Daldy, 1867. Fiorelli — Pofnpeianorum Antiquitatum Historia ; 2 vols., 8vo. Gell — PojHpeiana ; two series, 4 vols , 8vo. London, 1824-30. GOLDICUTT — Specifuens of Ancient Decorations from Pompeii ; 8vo. London, 1825. Light — J^iews of Po7npeii ; drawn on stone, by J. D. Harding. 4to. London, 1828. Mazois — Les Puines de Pompei ; 4 vols., folio. Paris: Didot, 1812-38. MiLLiN — Description des Tombeatix qui ant He Decouvertes a Pompei dans PAnnee 1812. 8vo. Paris, 1813. MoNNiER — Wonders of Pompeii ; translated from the French. Scribners, N. Y. NiCOLiNi — Le Case ed i Monumenti di Pompei, Disegnati e Descritti ; fol. Naples, 1864. OvERBECK — Po7fipeji,in Seinen Gebanden,Alterthii7?ierti u. Kunstwerken ; 2 vols. Leipzig : Engelmann PiSTOLESi — Antiquities of Herculaneum and Pompeii ; 2 vols., 4to. Naples, 1842. Zahn, W. — Les Plus Beaux Ornements ef les Tableaux les Plus Retnarquab les de Po?npei,d'Herculanum et de Stabi(z ; 3 vols., fol. Berlin, 1828-58. Zahn, W. — A'eu Entdeckte Wandgemiilde in Pompei ; fol. Munich. Real Museo Borbonnico ; 14 vols., 4to. Antichita di Ercolano e Pompei; 9 vols., folio. Naples, 1755-92. In Dyer's Pompeii, mentioned above, will be found a list of numerous separate works and articles on remarkable Pompeian buildings, tombs, in- scriptions, etc. i h Edward Stern & Co., Prs., Phila. I f. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 9 028 3016316 ^4f~x /-/^ yv-