Pompeii and
Herculaneum
Influence of Greek and
Egyptian Cultures
Art
Architecture
Religion
ART
Throughout the Roman world, there was a fashion for
covering the walls of both public and private
buildings with paintings. Only those areas
isolated from view, such as kitchens and slave
quarters, were usually devoid of wall paintings.
Because very few inhabitants of Pompeii and
Herculaneum could afford to decorate their
homes in original Greek art, they had to be
satisfied with imitations of their walls of sacred
Greek landscapes, Greek panel painting and
Greek mythology.
The names of individual artists were not usually left
with the painting, however Pliny the Elder does
offer some insight as to who the original Greek
artists were and their works and which Romans
duplicated these. For example, Pireikos, 4BC,
painted numerous still life and was followed by
Poxis, of Rome, in the late Republican period.
According to Pliny, it was Pireikos work from
which the miniature representations on the wallsboth fresco and mosaic- of Pompeian houses
were copied.
ARCHITECTURE
Pompeii and Herculaneum reflect a strong Greek influence from the earliest days of settlement
when Greek colonies were the cultural leaders. Roman architecture was characterized by
Greek architectural elements. Temples, public buildings and private houses from the preRoman era were dominated by the use of Greek columns of three architectural orders, Doric,
Ionic and Corinthian. For example, the Basilica of Pompeii, located in the Forum as built
using columns from all three orders.
Due to the use of Greek architectural elements, early Pompeii and Herculaneum were distinctly
Greek in character. The early Triangular Forum at Pompeii , which is dated back to
approximately 6BC, is generally viewed as a Greek space. The later Palaestra (Pompeii) and
gymnasium (Herculaneum) also reflect the Hellenistic architectural tradition. Every Greek
city had a theatre where plays were performed and Pompeii is no exception. The theatre at
Pompeii, built before Rome had a theatre in 2 BC, represents another cultural borrowing from
Greek cities.
RELIGION
For the people of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the performance of religious duty was a vital
component of everyday life. To win the favour of the Gods was a necessity and it was
believed this was achieved through constant worship. Greeks had settled in Campania well
before Roman occupation. The earliest temple in Pompeii was the Doric Temple, most likely
dedicated to the Greek god, Hercules. Herculaneum had strong links to Greek religion, as is
illustrated through their employment of Hercules as their patron. Many Greek gods were
adapted by the Romans in the development of their religious beliefs. The most notable of
these was Apollo. This is evident through the existence of a large temple on the Western side
of the Forum which was dedicated to him.
Photograph of the Early Triangular Forum
at Pompeii
The Early Triangular Forum is
estimated to date back to 6 BC
and is generally interpreted as a
Greek space. On the basis of these
remains a theory has formed
which suggests Pompeii was an
early Greek outpost, used by
colonists to control the port linked
with the town.
The Forum is entered through an
archway which consists of six
Ionic columns. On three sides of
an archaic temple, there is a
colonnade of 95 Doric Columns.
Photograph of The House of Telephus in
Herculaneum
Early Herculaneum is not so easily
investigated, due to the incomplete
status of excavations, however, its
houses demonstrate a strong Greek
influence, particularly through the use
of columns.
This photo is of the House of Telephus,
which illustrates the influence of
Greek culture in Herculaneum
through the columns located around
the building.
Photograph of a Corinthian Column
There were three Greek architectural
orders evident in Pompeii and
Herculaneum. They are distinguished
through the columns which
characterize their structures. They are
as follows;
‫٭‬Doric: Plain in style with a large base
‫ ٭‬Ionic: Elaborately decorated with
intricate details.
‫ ٭‬Corinthian: Elaborately carved with
finely worked ornamentation, usually
in the form of vegetation.
This Corinthian column is one of many
which frame the entrance to the
Samnite House in Herculaneum.
Photograph of Great Theatre at Pompeii
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The Great Theatre at Pompeii
was cut into the hillside in the
Second century BC.
The design of the Theatre was
Greek in nature, although
classic Greek theatre was
probably not performed there.
A mosaic found in the Villa of
Cicero depicts a scene from an
Ancient Greek comedy,
however it is unlikely it was
performed there.
Remains of Doric Temple, Pompeii
Only traces remain of the Doric Temple, known to be the earliest temple in
Pompeii. However, what little does remain reflects the early Greek
influences of the region. It is believed to have been dedicated to Greek
god’s Hercules and Minerva.
Photograph of the Temple of Apollo, Pompeii
Worship of Apollo, the oracular God, is believed to have been introduced to
Pompeii in during the 6th century. The god’s sanctuary, on what became the
western side of the Forum, was rebuilt during the 2nd century according to
Hellenistic models. Outside the temple stood a marble altar for sacrificial
purposes. These sacrifices were made in the honour of Apollo. Roman
Emperor Augustus, adopted the god as his patron, and as a result worship of
Apollo became an Imperial cult.
Fresco from the Villa of Mysteries
The cult of Dionysus, the Greek god
of wine and fertility, offered “an
escape from worldly reality into mystic
communion with the god and the
promise of a blessed life after death.
(Grant) Originally only attended by
women, but was transformed to allow
men and the extension of rites to 5
times a month.
This fresco, taken from the Villa of
Mysteries is one of a series of
paintings which depict Dionysian
rituals. This particular painting is from
the central panel. Historians differ, not
only in their interpretation of the
paintings, but in the purpose they
believed they served.
According to Livy, “to the religious
content were added the pleasures of
wine and feasting.”
Ibid claims, “Men, apparently out of
their wits, would utter prophesises
with frenzied body convulsions.”
Fresco from the House of
Venus in a Sea Shell,
Pompeii.
The goddess Venus, the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Aphrodite, was
worshipped in Pompeii in a cult that emphasized her role as protectress of the city. She
was associated with fertility, love and good luck. An election notice from Pompeii reads,
“Vote for me and Venus Pompeiana will bring you success.”
A great number of representations of Venus have been found in Pompeii. She is often
depicted nude, reclining in a sea shell , accompanied by nereids, dolphins and cherubs.
The patron of Herculaneum was another Greek god, Hercules. Hercules was worshipped
in Herculaneum, where he was regarded as the founder, from an early date and at Pompeii
where his cult was popular with traders and sailors because of his legendary journeys.
Fresco- The Sacrifice of Iphigenia, Pompeii
It was common for houses in
Pompeii and Herculaneum to have
Greek mythological or religious
paintings decorating the walls.
This fresco from the House of the
Tragic Poet in Pompeii is a
representation of the Greek
mythological Sacrifice of Iphigenia.
Wall Painting from the Villa Oplonti, Pompeii
Most people in Pompeii and
Herculaneum could not afford to
have the elaborate gardens deemed
fashionable and so Greek style
gardens and architectural features
were painted on the walls of houses.
This fresco, from the Villa of
Oplonti, is a garden wall painting
framing a room which was an inside
garden.
“The development of ancient wall decoration came… in the hands of the Greek
masters.”
-Francis Mau, ‘Pompeii, Its Life and Art.’
Mosaic, The House of the Labyrinth, Pompeii
This mosaic probably
dates to about the first
century AD, which
means it was relatively
new when covered by
the volcanic eruption.
The cockfight mosaic
was constructed from
thousands of "tesserae"
made from various
types of stone; tesserae
were carefully cut
"tiles" that were square
in shape and
standardized in terms
of color and texture so
that subjects could be
portrayed as lifelike as
possible.
Cockfighting was a popular sport in both ancient Greece
and Rome. According to one scholar, roosters were
carefully trained for their matches and were fed onion and
garlic to strengthen them. As in modern cockfights, metal
claws were often fastened to their spurs. There may be
some religious significance in this mosaic, as the wand of
mercury can be seen on the table behind the dueling birds.
Statues of Greek gods, Pompeii
Statues of Greek gods are a
common sight in both
Pompeii and Herculaneum.
The statue of Hercules (left)
was found in a villa outside
Pompeii. The statue of
Apollo (right) is located at
his temple in Pompeii.
Copies of the original Greek
statues are located at the
Villa of the Papyri