The details about the horse and the olive trees were beautiful and haunting. I would love to be able to visit Pompei someday, it is just such a fascinating bit of history. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Your description of the horse is wonderful. And I'm still impressed with the wagon-wheel ruts in the stones. Imagine the number of carts over how many years to dig those grooves. All driven by people, pulled by horses like the one you describe.
Thank you for your kind words, Kevin. It's true: most people are struck by the plaster casts of the victims of the Vesuvius eruption (and rightly so: they’re powerful, tragic in their desperate humanity), but I was also drawn to the more “ordinary” everyday details: the exhausted horse (I wonder how many working animals there were like him), the deep ruts left by carts always taking the same route, the graffiti… there’s so much of it in Pompeii, just like in any city. Apparently, people have always felt the urge to express themselves by scribbling on public property :-D
Hi Portia, thank you for your kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I also returned after many years, and this time I appreciated it much more... maybe I've grown up! As I mentioned, it was very hot, which meant it wasn't crowded, so I could walk through the streets and visit the villas without waiting in line. I plan to do more research and write about Pompei again. For instance, there was a lovely temporary exhibition focused on the women of Pompeii, with portraits and personal items that are usually not on display.
The details about the horse and the olive trees were beautiful and haunting. I would love to be able to visit Pompei someday, it is just such a fascinating bit of history. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thank you for your kind words, Stephanie. Pompeii really is a wonderful experience, and I hope you’ll be able to see it soon.
Your description of the horse is wonderful. And I'm still impressed with the wagon-wheel ruts in the stones. Imagine the number of carts over how many years to dig those grooves. All driven by people, pulled by horses like the one you describe.
Thank you for your kind words, Kevin. It's true: most people are struck by the plaster casts of the victims of the Vesuvius eruption (and rightly so: they’re powerful, tragic in their desperate humanity), but I was also drawn to the more “ordinary” everyday details: the exhausted horse (I wonder how many working animals there were like him), the deep ruts left by carts always taking the same route, the graffiti… there’s so much of it in Pompeii, just like in any city. Apparently, people have always felt the urge to express themselves by scribbling on public property :-D
I visited Pompei some 50 years ago, as a child, and it made a big impression. So lovely to come back there with you!
Hi Portia, thank you for your kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I also returned after many years, and this time I appreciated it much more... maybe I've grown up! As I mentioned, it was very hot, which meant it wasn't crowded, so I could walk through the streets and visit the villas without waiting in line. I plan to do more research and write about Pompei again. For instance, there was a lovely temporary exhibition focused on the women of Pompeii, with portraits and personal items that are usually not on display.