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Vesuvius Gate

The Vesuvius Gate today is in a ruined state. They were one of the first buildings that took on several successive waves of volcanic flow. Although they were badly damaged during the earthquake of 62 years. Proof of this was found in the house of L. Caecilius Jucundus. The images found in his house convey the scene of the destruction of the Vesuvius Gate. The figure also added a wagon with two mules thrown into the air, symbolizing the power of a natural cataclysm. The Vesuvius Gate was in a state of repair at the time of the 79-year eruption. The Romans were clearly not in a hurry to restore this gate, since finances were spent on other expenses. Building military barriers seemed like a waste of money and time to people of that time.

Between the Herculane Gate and the Vesuvius Gate, you can see the walls and towers built by the Samnites to protect your city from the Roman attack. Near the gate, in large blocks of tuffs, are visible deep holes made by stone shells of Roman stencils. Sulla apparently chose this particular section of the ancient city of Pompeii for his attack in 89 BC.

Surprisingly, the military buildings of the city of Pompeii suffered more than some private houses of the city. Little remains of the Vesuvius Gate today, but it’s worth a visit. The fact is that next to the gate is a large tank known as Castellum Aquae. Many tourists pass by without even knowing that the base of the Vesuvian Gate is actually hiding a huge collector of water. Here ended the aqueduct Aqua Augusta (aqueduct of Augustus), which carried water to Pompeii from a source near the modern city of Saint Lucia di Serino. The main reservoir of Pompeii is covered with red brick.

The building was the main distribution point for the water supply of Pompeii. It was located near the gate because of the height of the site. This area is 34 meters higher than the lowest point in the city near the Stabia Gates. Apparently, therefore, the Romans at one time chose this point to start their attack. Three pipes below delivered water to the whole city. And the pipes did not lead to certain areas of the city, but were divided according to the type of buildings they served. If the water dried up and had to be saved, then first of all they turned off all the public baths of the city. One turn of the screw pipe blocked the water flow. At the very last turn off the main pipe, which led to public fountains. From here most of the townspeople drew water.

Outside of the Vesuvius Gate we can see the necropolis of the rich citizens of Pompeii. The necropolis or "city of the dead" in Greek was located at all the gates of the city, but the cemetery on the north side of the city deserves special attention. The names of some citizens are preserved and can be read. Among the mausoleums and graves stands out the tomb of C. Vestorius Priscus (pictured below), who died at an old age of 22 years. Here he was buried in 75 or 76 AD. Also in the Necropolis at the Vesuvian Gate is the tomb of Arelia Tertullah, Septumia and many others.