The other Pompeii. Common lives in the shadow of Vesuvius

Here we are, still dealing with classical antiquity in one of the most iconic (that's what they say today, right?) and most visited sites in the world. But this time we will see Pompeii from another point of view, namely that of the daily life of the inhabitants of the Vesuvian city, beyond the luxurious villas and their beautiful frescoes. We are talking about the exhibition The other Pompeii. Common lives in the shadow of Vesuvius which is held until 15 December 2024 in the Palestra Grande, near the entrance to the excavations of Piazza Anfiteatro, the one most suitable for those traveling in wheelchairs. From the website of the archaeological area of ​​Pompeii (from which you can download an excellent map of the excavations in pdf) we take this short explanatory text:

The daily life of the common population, made up of slaves, freedmen, artisans and workers of various categories, that Pompeii often silent in ancient sources, is in the foreground in the exhibition The other Pompeii. Common lives in the shadow of Vesuvius scheduled from 15 December 2023 to 15 December 2024 at the Palestra Grande degli scavi.

Through seven sections, around three hundred artefacts and three multimedia installations, the exhibition itinerary allows us to ideally follow the course of existence of those who belonged to this population, from birth to death, investigating their daily activities, nutrition, personal relationships, customs and entertainment, but also the relationship with the outside world and with religious faith and the afterlife.

Let's start the selection of our images taken at the exhibition with this view of the gym portico:

ADONIS AS A CHILD

MONOPODIUM WITH A BOY HOLDING A GOOSE A

FOUNTAIN STATUETTE WITH A BOY AND DOLPHIN

CAST OF MALE CHILD

STILL LIFE WITH COCKEREL

STILL LIFE WITH THRUSH AND FINE FISH

SLAVES' ROOM - CAST OF FURNITURE

PAIR OF SHACKLES AND BRACELET OF A SLAVE

BRACELET WITH INSCRIPTION "DOMINUS ANCILLAE SUAE" (MASTER TO HIS SLAVE GIRL)

FEMALE STATUE

CAST OF "WAYFARER" WITH IMPRINTS OF LACE-UP SANDALS

CAST OF YOUNG WOMAN WITH ROBE ROLLED UP ON HIPS

TERRACOTTA THEATRE MASK

FRESCO WITH TRAVELING MUSICIANS AND FLUTE MADE OF BONE AND SHEET BRONZE

AMPHORAE STOWED IN CARGO SHIP

GROUP WITH PERSEUS, ANDROMEDA AND THE SEA MONSTER

BUST OF YOUNG SATYR

ISIAC PRIESTESS

EMBOSSED ISIAC TRIAD FOIL

HAND OF SABAZIOS

CASTS OF EMBRACED VICTIMS

A very suggestive exhibition, right? Even the casts, in their drama, serve the purpose of illustrating the life cycle of Roman Pompeii, from birth to the daily life of slaves and masters with their personal, cult or leisure objects, up to such a sudden and tragic death. Go there if you can!