The ancient city of Pompeii, near Naples, Italy, was buried in ash and pumice when nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Not until 1749 was the city rediscovered. Since that time, many structures have been excavated. Before entering the city, visitors see the external walls that reveal little of what lies inside. One of the first areas my group visited was the Casamera dei Gladiatori, the Gladiators Barracks. From here, one can see Mount Vesuvius, looming over Pompeii. From here, we walked through the Odeon, Pompeii’s small theater, originally covered with a wooden roof, that presented musical concerts, plays, and performances by mimes to an audience of up to 1000 people.
Pompeii Exterior
SOURCE: Pompeii Exterior (Pompeii, Campania, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 08 August 2011.
Gladiators’ Barracks
SOURCE: Gladiators’ Barracks (Pompeii, Campania, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 08 August 2011.
View of Mount Vesuvius from Gladiators’ Barracks
SOURCE: View of Mount Vesuvius from Gladiators’ Barracks (Pompeii, Campania, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 08 August 2011.
The Odeon Theater
SOURCE: The Odeon Theater (Pompeii, Campania, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 08 August 2011.
Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko
