RELIGION
Pompeii in the 1st century AD consisted of a variety of religions within the Roman Empire. Temples and altars are seen as direct evidence of the religious beliefs and practices. Due to Pompeii being able to contact a large amount of other cultures due to the geographical location and the port a number of trade ships and foreign vessels brought new religions to the land. Variations of existent religions were also introduced although archaeological evidence suggests that the Pompeian's preferred the goddess Venus Pompeiana, protector of Pompeii. Lares or Penates were household gods who were also worshiped and were highly respected by household owners of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Numerous temples and shrines were located through out the city which provided evidence of their worship.
This particular image is of the shrine that was located in the excavated house of Vettii. As it was not unusual for the typical home to consist of a shrine we are aware that they were often located in the atrium or near the kitchen. This particular shrine was located in the second atrium of the house which is located on a back street opposite a bar. It is a wealthy domus that was owned by Aulus Vettius Conviva an Augustalis and Aulus Vettius Restitutus whom were said to have been freed slaves and brothers.
This particular shrine includes three images with symbolic meaning of sacrifice: the circular Patera which was a shallow dish used for drinking particularly during rituals, a knife is seen to the right and then to the left there is the skull of an animal. The snake toward the bottom of the image is seen moving toward a sacrifice that is being performed on a small alter which signifies fertility. There are three human like figures that take place in the composition. The two figures depicted on either side of the middle figure are Laers or house hold gods who take the appearance of young males whom wear tunics. They are said to be holding wine buckets and drinking horns. The center figure is a Genius which is considered the equivalent of the human soul however every place and object also had a genius. Genius is dressed in a toga and his head bears a veil. In his right hand he holds a dish and in the other an incense box. The imagery on this particular shrine portrays the protectors of the family (laers) and the divine spirit (genius.) This scene develops an understanding in the modern society of the importance that their religions played in their daily lives.
This shrine shows us that religion was part of their culture and although the different types of religion varied a number of gods were worshiped which helps us to understand that Pompeii was full of cultures and religions due to the port that offered travelers from afar. If the temples, shrines and religious imagery had not been preserved it is possible that Christians could have destroyed the remaining religious relics due to their belief in one God and one God only. Because of the intense and conservative time the imagery would have been despised and highly offensive in the eyes of Christians. Therefore it is highly likely that the preservation of these artifacts prevented us from being unaware of past religions and the beliefs of the ancient Romans who became the face of Christianity.
This particular shrine includes three images with symbolic meaning of sacrifice: the circular Patera which was a shallow dish used for drinking particularly during rituals, a knife is seen to the right and then to the left there is the skull of an animal. The snake toward the bottom of the image is seen moving toward a sacrifice that is being performed on a small alter which signifies fertility. There are three human like figures that take place in the composition. The two figures depicted on either side of the middle figure are Laers or house hold gods who take the appearance of young males whom wear tunics. They are said to be holding wine buckets and drinking horns. The center figure is a Genius which is considered the equivalent of the human soul however every place and object also had a genius. Genius is dressed in a toga and his head bears a veil. In his right hand he holds a dish and in the other an incense box. The imagery on this particular shrine portrays the protectors of the family (laers) and the divine spirit (genius.) This scene develops an understanding in the modern society of the importance that their religions played in their daily lives.
This shrine shows us that religion was part of their culture and although the different types of religion varied a number of gods were worshiped which helps us to understand that Pompeii was full of cultures and religions due to the port that offered travelers from afar. If the temples, shrines and religious imagery had not been preserved it is possible that Christians could have destroyed the remaining religious relics due to their belief in one God and one God only. Because of the intense and conservative time the imagery would have been despised and highly offensive in the eyes of Christians. Therefore it is highly likely that the preservation of these artifacts prevented us from being unaware of past religions and the beliefs of the ancient Romans who became the face of Christianity.
Here the temple of Jupiter is seen which was constructed to house statues of the goddess for worship. Inside the temple priests would offer sacrifices of animals to show their appreciation as Jupiter was ruler of gods and the protector of Rome. This particular temple was badly damaged by the earth quake in AD 62 and was awaiting repairs when the eruption of 79 covered the already ruinous temple.
This detail provides us with evidence of the gods that the Romans worshiped and shows us that they believed in religion and something larger than themselves. This portrays the idea that people would travel to the temple daily to worship the goddess as worship and sacrifice was part of the Roman civilization.
This proves that the eruption was significant because once again the development of Christianity meant that Romans began to leave behind their past beliefs and looked into a new religion. As their faith in Christianity became very strong it could have led to the destruction of their temples and reduced our knowledge of their past beliefs and cultural religions which would limit our understanding of the classical world.
This detail provides us with evidence of the gods that the Romans worshiped and shows us that they believed in religion and something larger than themselves. This portrays the idea that people would travel to the temple daily to worship the goddess as worship and sacrifice was part of the Roman civilization.
This proves that the eruption was significant because once again the development of Christianity meant that Romans began to leave behind their past beliefs and looked into a new religion. As their faith in Christianity became very strong it could have led to the destruction of their temples and reduced our knowledge of their past beliefs and cultural religions which would limit our understanding of the classical world.
