Pompeii

:Pompeii is not to be confused with the Roman general Pompey.

Early history

The town was founded around the 6th century BC by the Osci or Oscans, a people of central Italy, on a hill near the mouth of the Sarno River or Sarnus River, already in use as a safe port by Greek and Phoenician sailors. When the Etruscans threatened an attack, Pompeii allied with the Greeks, who then dominated the Gulf of Naples. In the 5th century BC, the Samnites conquered it (and all the other towns of Campania); the new rulers imposed their architecture and enlarged the town. It has been supposed that during the Samnites' domination, Rome conquered Pompeii for a while, but these theories have not been verified.

Related Topics:
6th century BC - Osci - Italy - Hill - Sarno River - Greek - Phoenicia - Etruscans - Naples - 5th century BC - Samnites - Campania

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pompeii took part in the war that the towns of Campania initiated against Rome, but in 89 BC it was besieged by Sulla. Although the troops of the Social League, headed by Lucius Cluentius, helped in resisting the Romans, in 80 BC Pompeii was forced to surrender after the conquest of Nola. It became a Roman colony with the name of Colonia Cornelia Veneria Pompeianorum. The town became an important passage for goods that arrived by sea and had to be sent toward Rome or Southern Italy along the nearby Appian Way.

Related Topics:
89 BC - Sulla - Social League - Lucius Cluentius - 80 BC - Nola - Cornelia - Veneria - Southern Italy - Appian Way

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 62 a violent earthquake severely damaged Pompeii and many other towns of Campania. In the time between 62 and 79 (the eruption), it was rebuilt, perhaps richer than before in houses and artworks.

Related Topics:
62 - Earthquake

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~