Timeless Pompeii: Digging into Ancient Rome: Part 4

Pompeii died a horrible death. But Pompeii lives!
It speaks to us through it's architecture and ageless engineering. The colors of it's murals  captivate us 2000 years later. And it's unbelievably beautiful stone work tests our ability to apprehend their skill.

ARCHITECTURE

Much of Pompeii is composed of public spaces and is predominated by forums: this is where Romans come for justice, government and commerce. Here you find markets, basilicas, and temples.
Just like in Rome itself, Pompeii also has it's theaters, baths and brothels (more on that later ;-). Romans are an energetic lot whether they live in Rome itself or any of it's provinces. And at the end of the day, just like you an I, they retreat to the peace of their home.
Romans are famous for their Paristyle gardens and inward looking villas. Calm and serenity issues from this style of home. There are several examples in Pompeii.
Most if not all living spaces possess no windows. Instead the opening of the room faces the inside of the villa, toward the garden. I know what you are thinking "eeewww, dark and gloomy" Ah, not so at all.

PAINTINGS AND MURALS

The finest examples of Roman paintings are found in Pompeii. Don't miss the opportunity to sample the beauty in the various structures! Its difficult to do any justice to them here.

As I mentioned above, the rooms were not dark. The various rooms, especially the entertaining spaces, were decorated with floor to ceiling murals of the most astonishing compositions. And the colors! Vibrant! Powerful! Passionate!
Lighting in a dark room in Roman times is accomplished with candles or oil lamps as you would expect. The flickering light has a completely different effect on the murals than electric light of today. Imagine sitting by a fire and reading a picture book. The flickering light and shadow plays across the page, teasing your perception.
That's how it is in a Roman dinner room or lounge. Odors wafting around and gentle sounds from the garden complete the picture. Drab, gloomy? In our minds maybe but never in a Roman villa....more to come!