Paestum

The second place we visited during our "South Field Trip" was the archaeological site of Paestum. The town of Paestum was founded by Greek colonists some time around the end of the 7th century BC. The main highlights of this site are three well preserved Greek temples. Each temple is different and takes on an architectural persona of the god it is dedicated to. The area also features a museum with artifacts from the site. The site was interesting and definitely worth the trip. It was also nice to get outside of the average tourist area.

Looking across the town to the Temple of Athena

This area is believed to be a swimming pool with a maze like structure in it.
The Temple of Poseidon is in the background.

More ruins with the Temple to Athena in the background

Its almost like we've enter another world.

column ruins with Temple of Poseidon in the background

The Temple of Poseidon, which is believed to be constructed around 450 BC

Another view of Poseidon's temple

Poseidon's Temple consists of 36 large outer columns,
and inside it has 4 medium columns and 14 smaller columns

One of the other students...to give you an idea of the scale!

View inside

Another view inside,
this one is the only one that had a second level of columns

Temple of Hera, believed to have been built around 550 BC

Another view of the Temple of Hera,
which is shorter and more slender than the Temple of Poseidon

Me in front of the Temple's of Hera and Poseidon

The side of the Temple of Hera

Inside the Temple of Hera

Will hugging a column of Hera's Temple

Column at the Temple of Hera

Temple of Athena, built around 500 BC

Columns at the Temple of Athena

The Temple of Athena is situated on the highest point in the town

Front of the Temple of Athena

Can you find the little lizard?

Tomb of the Diver, top panel 

Side panel of the Tomb of the Diver

Head side panel

Foot panel of the tomb of the Diver

Some of the many pottery artifacts found at Paestum

Pompeii

February 24 and 25 our class embarked on what has been deemed "The South Field trip". This two-day class field trip features included the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Paestum. The first stop was Pompeii, which is located just southeast of modern day Naples near the looming volcano of Mount Vesuvius.

Until 1749, when it was first discovered, the city of Pompeii was buried in up to 20 feet of volcanic ash and pumice from an eruption of the volcano in 79 AD. The eruption buried the town and many of its residents, making it a time capsule of the Roman life. Through the years, the city has slowly been uncovered, and offers a wonderful (and sometimes eerie) step back in time.

Porta Marina, one of the gates of Pompeii

Looking across the walls of Pompeii,
the gate to the city is in the upper right

Mount Vesuvius in the background

the basilica of Pompeii
(in Roman times a basilica was a public meeting hall, not a place of worship)

Walking the streets of Pompeii

Ancient Roman bar!

Another type of bar. This one was used to store pre-made food.
The original fast food!

Porta Nuceria

Romans buried their dead outside of the city walls,
therefore the road's leading to cities often had tombs all along them

The archway under the Amphitheatre

Inside the Amphitheatre

Outside view of the Amphitheatre

Colonnade lining a courtyard

All along the streets you can see the indent from the wheels of carriages and carts.
The taller stones on either side were pedestrian stepping stones,
because the streets were often filled with waste. 

The faun statue in the center of the impluvium.
The house it was found in has since been called the House of the Faun.

Mosaic in the House of the Faun depicting Alexander the
Great at the Battle of Issus against the Persians

Colonnade at the House of the Faun

Detail picture at the House of the Faun

Another roadside tomb

Arches along the road, outside the city

The flowers were starting to bloom!

During excavation voids were found in the debris.
When archaeologists filled them with plaster,
the human forms of those  who died in the disaster were revealed.

Just outside of the city was a farm house that is now called
the Villa dei Misteri, or the house of mysteries.

Outside of the Villa dei Misteri

The looking across the forum to the markets

Looking across the theater and part of the ancient city

The forum and the Temple of Jupiter

One last look across the city