The legacy of Pompeii and Herculaneum
it is said that Pompeii and Herculaneum have two histories, one that ended on August 24th CE 79, and one that began the day of their excavation. Pompeii and Herculaneum have given historians and archeologists a valuable insight not only what Roman life was like, but what elements of Roman life influence us today, as they are said to be "the most alive of all the dead cities".
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/1/0/24108892/6143506.jpg?446)
The completely intact cities illustrate just how closely our modern day architecture and town layout resembles that of the Romans, with central public baths, swimming pools, and buildings. Even the writings (like that of Pliny the younger) that have survived the nearly 200 years, help us put together the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Knowing the dangers, and the devistation that Mount Vesuvius is able to bring, modern society is able to inform where they settle, and put in place evacuation procedures so that we do not have a repeat of Pompeii's destruction.
Again, because of the pristine condition in which much of Pompeii and Herculaneum's structures and architecture was found, historians are able to discern exactly what each building was used for. In tact writing and signs inform us that one building belonged to a wealthy merchant, while the house two doors down with the oven was a bakery. The fact that the citizens of these cities were "frozen in time" has also helped historians to piece together the social structure of Pompeii and Herculaneum, studying the distribution and possesions of corpses tells us who was wealthy, who had children, who tried to escape with their families. Pompeii and Herculaneum has also given historians a rare opportunity to study the bones of Romans, as traditionally Romans cremated their dead. These bones can help historians establish what Romans looked like, what their health was like, and more about how closely related they were to modern day humans.
Again, because of the pristine condition in which much of Pompeii and Herculaneum's structures and architecture was found, historians are able to discern exactly what each building was used for. In tact writing and signs inform us that one building belonged to a wealthy merchant, while the house two doors down with the oven was a bakery. The fact that the citizens of these cities were "frozen in time" has also helped historians to piece together the social structure of Pompeii and Herculaneum, studying the distribution and possesions of corpses tells us who was wealthy, who had children, who tried to escape with their families. Pompeii and Herculaneum has also given historians a rare opportunity to study the bones of Romans, as traditionally Romans cremated their dead. These bones can help historians establish what Romans looked like, what their health was like, and more about how closely related they were to modern day humans.