Department of Classical Studies

One of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, Pompeii was destroyed in 79 CE during a volcanic eruption. Its incredible preservation allows us to examine the everyday lives of ancient people, asking questions about how Romans lived, what they ate, how they bathed, who they lived with, what they read and listened to, and how they thought about themselves in the broader context of the Roman Empire. Through a detailed examination of the city’s painting, architecture, graffiti, and more, we’ll think about groups like women, enslaved people, migrants, religious groups, the dead, and more.