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Topics to investigate

The material covered by Amarantus and his Neighbourhood is organised into the six topics below. Each Topic has an Enquiry Question for you to investigate by reading the Story and looking at the Evidence and historical background information, and possibly by making use of the Teaching and Learning materials (requires free teacher login for full access). Links to all three types of content for each topic are given via a dropdown menu in the rightmost column.

Enquiry question

What sort of people might have lived in Amarantus’s neighbourhood?

1.1.1 The Bar
1.1.2 Amphorae
1.1.3 House 12
1.1.4 Amarantus was here!
A World Full of Gods and Dogs
1.2.1 The Forum
Power Seating
1.3.1 House of the Fruit Orchard
1.3.2 House 9
1.3.3 House 10
Bad Birthday Omens

Enquiry question

Setting the scene; how would you characterise everyday life for the different members of society in Pompeii?

2.1.1 Relief from a Tomb
2.1.2 Fresco of the Amphitheatre
2.1.3 Tacitus
2.1.4 Graffiti
A Tipsy Mule
2.2.1 Fresco from the Bar of Salvius
2.2.2 Scene 1
2.2.3 Scene 2
2.2.4 Scene 3
2.2.5 Scene 4
Fighting Merchants
2.3.1 Water Supply
2.3.2 'User Friendly' Streets
2.3.3 Traffic
Fighting Cocks

Enquiry question

How were religion and belief present in the daily lives of ancient Pompeians? What did this involve in practice?

3.1.1 Forum of Pompeii
3.1.2 Public Worship
3.1.3 Lares and Lararia
Dolls, Balls and Pork Products
3.2.1 The Roman pantheon
3.2.2 Venus
3.2.3 Isis
3.2.4 Imperial Cult
Birthday Earthquake
3.3.1 Tombs
3.3.2 Beliefs about the Underworld
A Fragrant Funeral

Enquiry question

Pompeii was part of the Roman Empire. Did this stop local politics being important in everyday life? Where did power lie in Pompeii?

4.1.1 Programmata
4.1.2 Titus Suedius Clemens
Manumission
4.2.1 Politics and trade
4.2.2 Support for Vatia
4.2.3 Negative campaigning
Naughty Sophe
4.3.1 Tomb of Alleius Nigidus Maius
4.3.2 Petronius
Election Results

Enquiry question

How did the nature of trade and commerce in Pompeii influence the everyday experience of living there?

5.1.1 The Fullers
5.1.2 The Garum Makers
5.1.3 The Wine Makers
5.1.4 The Bakers
A Humble Client
5.2.1 Pompeii's Port
5.2.2 Amarantus's amphorae
The Problem with Tituli Picti
5.3.1 Pompeian Prices
5.3.2 Patronage
5.3.3 L. Caecilius Iucundus
The Fourth Hour

Enquiry question

What might meals have been like for different members of Pompeian society?

6.1.1 Roman Doctors
6.1.2 The Four Humours
Introducing Doctor Hypatus
6.2.1 Roman dinner parties
6.2.2 Food and status
What is Love?
6.3.1 Digging in the Sewers
6.3.2 Botanical Finds
6.3.3 Fish and Shellfish
A Generous Wedding Feast

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