The Commerce of Pompeii “Hail profit!” (Salve Lucrum!) “Profit is joy!” (Lucrum Gaudium!) Inscribed in beautiful mosaic, these are the words that adorned the houses of Pompeii. These mottos reflect the city’s once thriving economy. (Harris; “Money is Nice”) However, Pompeii was more of a “resort town” than a “manufacturing town.” The am
Coins used in Pompeii
azing location and climate of Pompeii makes it a paradise for tourists, and subsequently a paradise for merchants of every trade. Typically, the various merchandises found in Pompeii were imported from other parts of the empire. For example, it was quite common to encounter items such as: sturdy furniture made in Neapolis, Olive oil from Spain, or even elegant carpets from Egypt. (Nardo, 67; Nardo, 22) In effect, a stroll through the shops of Pompeii was like browsing through the repertoire of the entire Roman Empire!
Pompeii Pottery
In spite of its multitude of imported goods, we are discovering that Pompeii did produce some goods locally. The distinguishing pottery that was sold in Pompeii was originally believed to be imported from other parts of the empire like Gaul and Constantinople. (Nardo, 67; Westfall) However, recent studies have proven otherwise. A closer examination of the pottery has revealed that the pottery contains the mineral leucite, which is native to the Bay of Naples region, where Mount Vesuvius is found. (Catchpole) In addition to pottery, Pompeii also produced its own popular local cuisine. Being so close to the sea, Pompeii had a prosperous fishing industry. A tasty local sauce named “garum” was made in Pompeii. Garum was created from the drainage of certain fish eggs and could be mixed with just about anything. (Nardo, 73) This delicious sauce was in high demand throughout large parts of the empire, and it added much popularity to the food business of Pompeii.
The shops of Pompeii were dispersed throughout the entire city, but the main concentration of them was found in the center of town called the “Forum.” There were many ad hoc shops in the streets of the city, but there were hundreds of more permanent establishments made of brick and stone. These more established trades, like metal smiths, wood workers, and fabric shops, gravitated together in the forum. Centered around these larger businesses, many smaller souvenir shops existed. (Nardo, 68) Customers were lured in with enticing signs, and products were placed on stands and even on the sidewalk itself for display. Some of the nice gifts that could be purchased included: bracelets, earrings, gold chains, and fine glasses. However, the most popular goods were undoubtedly those that pertained to Gladiators. Some shops even sold so-called “Gladiator blood” in vials! The blood of was believed by some to cure physical ailments, but there was no way of telling whether one was really buying “Gladiator’s blood” or the blood of a pig or sheep. The “Gladiator’s blood” is just another example of Pompeii’s huge spectrum of merchandise. (Nardo, 75; Panella) It did not matter what purpose an item was going to serve, be it necessity, opulence, or fad—all things could be found in the bustling streets of Pompeii.
“Hail profit!” (Salve Lucrum!) “Profit is joy!” (Lucrum Gaudium!) Inscribed in beautiful mosaic, these are the words that adorned the houses of Pompeii. These mottos reflect the city’s once thriving economy. (Harris; “Money is Nice”) However, Pompeii was more of a “resort town” than a “manufacturing town.” The am
In spite of its multitude of imported goods, we are discovering that Pompeii did produce some goods locally. The distinguishing pottery that was sold in Pompeii was originally believed to be imported from other parts of the empire like Gaul and Constantinople. (Nardo, 67; Westfall) However, recent studies have proven otherwise. A closer examination of the pottery has revealed that the pottery contains the mineral leucite, which is native to the Bay of Naples region, where Mount Vesuvius is found. (Catchpole) In addition to pottery, Pompeii also produced its own popular local cuisine. Being so close to the sea, Pompeii had a prosperous fishing industry. A tasty local sauce named “garum” was made in Pompeii. Garum was created from the drainage of certain fish eggs and could be mixed with just about anything. (Nardo, 73) This delicious sauce was in high demand throughout large parts of the empire, and it added much popularity to the food business of Pompeii.
The shops of Pompeii were dispersed throughout the entire city, but the main concentration of them was found in the center of town called the “Forum.” There were many ad hoc shops in the streets of the city, but there were hundreds of more permanent establishments made of brick and stone. These more established trades, like metal smiths, wood workers, and fabric shops, gravitated together in the forum. Centered around these larger businesses, many smaller souvenir shops existed. (Nardo, 68) Customers were lured in with enticing signs, and products were placed on stands and even on the sidewalk itself for display. Some of the nice gifts that could be purchased included: bracelets, earrings, gold chains, and fine glasses. However, the most popular goods were undoubtedly those that pertained to Gladiators. Some shops even sold so-called “Gladiator blood” in vials! The blood of was believed by some to cure physical ailments, but there was no way of telling whether one was really buying “Gladiator’s blood” or the blood of a pig or sheep. The “Gladiator’s blood” is just another example of Pompeii’s huge spectrum of merchandise. (Nardo, 75; Panella) It did not matter what purpose an item was going to serve, be it necessity, opulence, or fad—all things could be found in the bustling streets of Pompeii.
Works Cited
Catchpole, Heather . "Pompeii pottery may rewrite history." News in Science Monday, 8 November 2004 3 Dec 2008 <http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1232229.htm>.
Harris, Robert. "Salve Lucrum." Book Reviews (2004) 3 Dec 2008 <http://www.hopkinsandcompany.com/Books/Pompeii.htm>.
"Money is Nice." Abby Newsletter 6. 2.April 1982 3 Dec 2008 <http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byorg/abbey/an/an06/an06-2/an06-213.html>.
Nardo, Don. Ancient Pompeii . Farmington Hills, MI: Thompson Gale, 2005.
Panella, Ettore and Linda Liguori. "Economy in Ancient Pompeii." (2008) Dec. 3, 2008 . <http://www.pompei.it/pompeii/economy-ancient-pompeii.htm>
Westfall , Carroll . "THE FINAL REPORT ON URBANISM." LEARNING FROM POMPEII September 18, 1997 3 Dec 2008 <http://cti.itc.virginia.edu/~jjd5t/cww/1997/report2.html>.