LARGE THEATRE - POMPEII

Although it is actually the only theatre in Pompeii, it was given this name to distinguish it from the nearby Odeion, which is much smaller and was used for different purpose. It was built in the 2nd century B.C. more or less according to traditional Greek canons in so far as the tiered seating makes use of natural slope and the orchestra is arranged in a horse-shoe shape. It was extended and restored during the reign of Augustus at the personal expense of the Holconius brothers, who were rich Pompeian vine growers. An inscription tell us that the entire seating area had been resurfaced in marble, but this was removed and carried off after the destruction of the town. The upper circle was added to increase the seating capacity and the two side boxes above the entrance to the orchestra were reserved for the guest of honour. In this way the theatre of Pompeii could accommodate 5,000 people seated in three different areas which were separated by corridors. The first (called the ima cavea) was situated in the orchestra itself and had four rows of seats which were reserved for the decurions, while the first rows of the media cavea were for the representative of the corporations: one of these was reserved for the eldest of the Holconium brothers and was identified by an inscription in bronze letters. The remaining places right up to the top part (summa cavea) were designated for the ordinary townspeople. The final tier had stone rings fitted into the walls which were used to support the poles which held the large canopy covering the theatre to protect the audience from the sun. The stone stage was rebuilt after the earthquake of 62 A.D. in imitation of the façade of an important building decorated with column, niches and statues,. To the rear was a small and unusual-shaped dressing room running the whole width of the stage area, which could be reached by three doors directly from the stage. A further three doors lead out onto a large courtyard.

 

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This is the most famous country villa in the whole area around Mount Vesuvius. It can be reached on foot by following the modern road for a short way after leaving the Pompeii archaeological site proper (keep your ticket as this is also valid for entry to the Villa of Mysteries). The current entrance to the Villa is on the opposite side to the original portal which was situated about 400 metres from the Porta Ercolano gate along the road leading out of the town. The villa owes its fame to the extraordinary wall paintings in the triclinium which make up an almost photographic sequence of theatrical scenes. The building can be divided into two areas. The main area is e ... continue

(Apic. 6, 1, 1) Ingredients:

• Ostrich meat (or small guinea fowl)
• Pepper
• Mint
• Cumin
• Fennel seeds
• 100 g stoned dates
• 1 tbsp honey
• 30 ml vinegar
• 30 ml passum (or passito wine)
• Liquamen ( or 2 tsp anchovy paste)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp starch

Instructions:
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Put the ostrich meat into a large stock pot, cover with water and simmer gently for 2½ hours until thoroughly cooked. Drain the bird and dry well. Grind the spices in a pestle and mortar. Add the ... continue

Love was a common topic of conversation in Pompeii. Feelings, passions, poetic love, sex, homosexuality, prostitution and so forth were all part of daily life and not a source of prejudice. The concept of “obscenity” seems to have been unknown. Love and sex were considered earthly practices of a man’s life that were encouraged by the benevolence of Venus. The thousands of examples of graffiti found on the town’s walls are unequivocal proof of what the people of Pompeii thought about love and sex.