The Greek influence in both towns is undeniable. In fact Greek influence in the area can
be traced back to the 5th century BCE when Greek colonists used the area as a trading
centre and port.
Some interpretations of the names of both towns trace their origins back to this period of
Greek influence.
Herculaneum has some connection to the Greek god (?) Herkules.
Pompeii may have been derived from the Greek word “pompa” meaning religious
procession.
Towns retained a strong Greek influence in a number of areas despite being under
Roman control for quite some time (Herculaeneum from 90 BCE ish and Herculaeneum
from 370 BCE)
One of the most obvious examples of the Greek influence in Pompeii and Herculaneum is
in Art. Frescoes, Mosaics and Sculpture are all Greek Art forms appropriated and
appreciated by the Roman world. The influence of Hellenistic (Greek) forms of art are an
example of the enduring fashion of Greek style in Roman towns.
Right: Plato Mosaic from Villa of
T. Siminius Stephanus
Middle: Saytr Mosaic from
Naples Museum (? Found at
Pompeii)
Low: Alexander Mosaic House of
the Faun, Pompeii
Above: Mosaics from the House of
Neptune and Amphirite, Herculaneum
Frescoes from Cult Room at
Villa of Mysteries, outside
Pompeii
Pompeii: Statues found near the
Nucerian Gate.
Also don’t forget the statue of
Eumachia found in the Forum and
the temple statues of Greek Gods in
the Forum
Herculaneum: Ststues of Vitellius and
Claudius from Basillica. Also don’t
forget the frescoes of Greek myths
found in the Basillica too.
Basillica in Pompeii
Shows the influence of the Greek
architectural orders and the
influence of Greece ideals of the
arrangement of public space.
House of Telephus in Herculaeneum
Shows the extent of the influence of
Greece on private space.
Example of orders (see the above
peristyle garden and collonade) and
architectural features (courtyards,
gardens and rooms)
Artefacts and Egyptian Reliefs from
the House of the Faun