Pompeii: A Brief Guide to the Hottest Ancient City
Welcome to Pompeii, the historic city that went from exciting to extinct in the blink of an eye! This Italian city is located near the infamous Mount Vesuvius, which blew its top in 79 AD, leaving Pompeii in shambles.
Before it became a ghost town, Pompeii was a vibrant city filled with bustling markets, lively brothels (or so they say), and impressive architecture. It was considered the ‘Las Vegas of Ancient Rome’, where people came to gamble, drink, and engage in other, ahem, immoral behavior.
The city was home to over 20,000 people and was one of the most prosperous and technologically advanced cities of its time, but it all went down in flames (literally) when Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the city under layers of ash and pumice.
Nowadays, Pompeii is a popular tourist destination where visitors can marvel at the preserved ruins and see firsthand what life was like for ancient Romans. However, it’s worth noting that the city is still quite literally hot - heat from the volcanic ash beneath the surface caused a recent blaze in the area, reminding us that even though the eruption happened centuries ago, Mount Vesuvius is still fiery and unpredictable.
But back to the city’s heyday. Despite its reputation as a sinful city, Pompeii was home to many progressive ideals; for example, it was known for its public baths, which were a stepping stone for modern-day spas.
There were also public toilets, which might not be something to get excited about today, but back then, having access to a public restroom was a real luxury. However, it’s worth noting that the toilets were communal-style with no barrier, so chatting with your neighbor while doing your business was not out of the question.
The city even had a house of ill repute, the Lupanare, which was covered in explicit frescoes that are still on display today. However, visitors should be warned that the graphic images may not be suitable for delicate audiences, or for parents who don’t want to be caught by their kids explaining why that guy is fondling that lady’s bosom.
In conclusion, Pompeii was once a lively city that eventually met a fiery end. However, its ruins provide insight into the past and remind us that life back then was both different and surprisingly similar to what we experience today. We hope you enjoyed this humorous take on Pompeii, and we hope you’ll visit this historic city - just be sure to pack sunscreen and bring your own privacy shield if you plan on using the public restrooms.