The Private and Public Leisure Activities of Pompeii and Herculaneum

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The private and public leisure activities of Pompeii and Herculaneum

Introduction:

The private and public leisure activities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were largely abundant. Many activities could be participated in and were used often. These include Drama performances, gladiatorial games, drinking, gambling, brothels, exercise, gardens, baths and food and dining. All these were an important part of Pompeian and Herculaneum life. They were seen as important to keep the body and mind healthy in most cases. Though some opposed some of the activities like brothels, gambling and drinking. But all give a important look into the life of those in Pompeii and Herculaneum before the catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius which completely destroyed both towns and all its inhabitants.

Drama performances:

There were two theatres at Pompeii used for a variety of purposes. One of these includes drama performances. The two theatres held a large number of patrons. The largest held 5000 people while the smaller once called the Odeon held approximately 1500 people. The types of performances that where held were usually tragedies, comedies and farces. They took place in the larger theater usually during religious celebrations and in celebration of achievements.. The larger theatre was designed for comfort in mind with facilities for an awning on days that where very hot. Historians including Paul Zanker and Richard Beacham suggest that the theatres of Pompeii were as much as a political venue then a entertaining one. Entry was free in the theatre but social class assigned seating. The lower social class sat in the back of the theatre while the upper class sat at the front where the best view was. The smaller theatre known as the Odeon was ...

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...g. It is thought that the roams ate three meals a day. They were usually healthy. Dinner was a large affair for the more wealthy citizens of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Many preserved and organic remains of food are helpful in showing what the people of Pompeii and Herculaneum ate. The foods were carbonized and included bread, berries, wheat, olives, dates, figs and nuts. In 1995 a team of archaeologists found and examined household waste of two Pompeian houses. They found barley, wheat, beans, olive pits, peach stone, fish bones, grape pips, cucumber seeds, small boned fish and even remains from sacrificial offerings sheep, goats, cockerels.

Conclusion:

the leisure activities Pompeii and Herculaneum have shown the vast range of activities hat was available to all the people no matter if in the upper class or the lower class of society in Pompeii and Herculaneum

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