Melina Ryan on Pompeii

Wall painting with mythological scene (Maenads tearing Pentheus apart)

Pompeii has long been one of my favorite ancient sites. The wholeness of the buildings, the freshness of the frescoes, and the wine jugs leaning against original walls all offer a tangibility to the Roman world that I’ve not found anywhere else. The Roman Forum perhaps comes closest in creating that sense of total immersion, but ultimately cannot hold a candle to the town which was so well preserved throughout the ages. Before entering the ancient site, visitors pass a small building housing the plaster remains of those who died during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. Many of them hold up their arms to shield their faces from ash and debris. One of the plasters famously displays two individuals locked in their last embrace. The sight is an important and sobering reminder that the space is not only an archaeological park, but also the land where so many individuals spent their final moments.

Amphorae (ancient shipping vessels) in Pompeii

And yet, the same explosion that ended those lives provided the ideal conditions in which to study the homes and behaviors of the ancient Roman world. Anyone interested in Classical Studies can appreciate the majesty of Pompeii. Inarguably, it is one of the only places which can lend proper context to a lifetime of studying ancient Rome. There, visitors can observe beautiful frescoes in situ, still vibrant in their coloring. We can walk down the same roads that the Romans walked and marvel at the seemingly innumerable thermopolia (ancient snack shops). In Pompeii, we can enjoy an amphitheater from its center, amble through the lupanarium (brothel), and witness the elaborate decorations of the public baths. The point is that there doesn’t exist a museum so well designed that it might compare to the experience of actually traipsing through this ancient Roman town. The experience is entirely inimitable.

Thermopolium (or hot food bar) along Via Dell’Abbondanza in Pompeii

However, the preservation of Pompeii is not a topic absent from controversy. Should the mosaics, frescoes, statues, and structures that I so enjoyed witnessing in situ be available to the public? Do they belong in museums where they can be properly protected? Should the site be reburied for the sake of preservation? Can average people without scholastic interest in Pompeii be trusted with such unrestricted access to the ancient town? People carve their name into the Colosseum despite wandering guards and bag checks. Even during our short daytrip to Pompeii, I saw for myself how many people are willing to disregard simple rules for their own convenience or a good photo. Visitors ignore prescribed walking paths, disregard the directions of site guards, and some even step directly over the ropes which denote restricted areas. Is touristic access worth the risk? To whom does the past belong? These questions are somewhat unanswerable, but worthy of our careful consideration, nonetheless.

Students in Pompeii’s Amphitheater!