The contributions made by the Oscans were not very advanced or very significant but they must be appreciated for their contributions of providing a base for changes for which the later civilisations could undertake.
Greeks – 550-524 BC
Later on, the Greeks arrived at Pompeii and easily took over as the Oscans had not really constructed any defences against invaders. Unlike other towns, Pompeii was not renamed by the Greeks, which suggests that the town must have been very large for its name to be changed.
The Greeks took advantage of the town by using the sea routes and port for easy trade with other Greek colonies and generated a large advantage for the Greeks and merchants who were keen to exploit Pompeii natural wealth.
Inside the town, the Greeks constructed the temples of Apollo and Hercules and were constructed in such a position to show people passing in ships that they could pray and give offerings at the town’s temples.
In this first period of Greek control, it is true that the Greeks provided a very important role in giving a boost to the growth of Pompeii and were the first to really exploit and use the natural advantages and features for their own purpose and demand.
Etruscans – 524-474BC
These were a race of people from northern Italy who were actually jealous of the Greek success in Campania and not have any contributions to the growth of Pompeii but Etruscan intervention was ended in a Greek naval victory against the Etruscans ending any Etruscan influence in Pompeii.
Greeks – 474-424BC
The Greeks had their second period of power due to a naval victory against the Etruscans in Cumae, near the Italian town.
Due to their ignorance of not building proper defences against the Etruscans, the Greeks made a better city wall that was much stronger than the previous one that had just been used for town boundaries and not protection against invaders.
Inside the actual town, the Greeks implemented a grid-system that has existed till the day of the town’s destruction and the Greeks also restored the town temples and made them more impressive.
I think the Greeks done more than any other civilisations before the Romans but the Romans improvised on past contributions as the Romans were responsible for a far superior wall with better features against attackers.
The Greeks must be appreciated for their use of a grid system and the Romans did not implement this useful system and this made Pompeii much easier to navigate around and also made it famous for its versatility and its many features including the grid system.
Samnites – 424-310BC
Samnites were also a tribe of Italic people and came from Samnium in Southern Italy. They were a rough and quaint tribe of people but were strong and fierce, which accounted for their capture of Pompeii against the Greeks although against the strong Greek walls.
At this time, the Samnites were at war with the Romans called the Samnite Wars (343-290BC) but were defeated and led the Romans to arrive in the region of Campania.
The Samnites did not have very much improvement towards Pompeii as they were rough mountain dwellers who did not have any knowledge like the Romans and Greeks did so there was not much chance for any developments.
THE ROMANS
- Roman control – 310-89BC
- Pompeii becomes ally of Rome - 89BC
400-200BC -- One very famous Roman improvement to the town and its defences was the excellent use of a new inner wall and outer wall and the making of the ditch and mound that could be used to easily protect against attackers trying to capture the town. One other addition to the wall was the town gates that could easily be used by travellers who wanted to get to nearby towns and cities.
One major development outside the town was the cultivation and farming of land outside the town that could grow food and products for the town trade as well as export via the port.
This was very useful as the wall was invincible and the cultivation of the surrounding farmland led to the massive growth in the growth and trade of the town especially through the ports.
200-100BC -- In this second period of Roman control, the Roman increased their control over the town as they tried to make the town richer and diverse such as the creation of the forum for the purpose of public trade. Other additions were the triangular forum, the temple of Jupiter, theatres as well as holiday villas for rich Romans and the law courts (basilica) for the running of the town.
Trade was at an all-time high as trade with other Italic towns as well as other countries such as other countries such as Greece and Egypt. Exports included: wine in amphorum, olive oil, garum, a sauce made from anchovies.
These changes were much more complicated than the previous ones as the Romans built more facilities in the town for the public and trade at the town attracted a growing population especially merchants who set up in the town to take advantage of the trade. The trade publicised Pompeii as a Roman town, which may account for its fame as a Roman town.
Pompeii’s status as an ally of Rome was short lived as war broke out between the two towns as Pompeii sought freedom and independence from Rome and General Sulla was sent to recapture the Italic towns including Pompeii. He commanded ex-Roman soldiers to move into the town so they could turn Pompeiians into real model Romans and Pompeii was converted into a Roman colony: Cornelia Veneria.
After this period of rebellion, other changes were made such as the building of the amphitheatre, palaestra, baths and towers on the wall in a bid to turn Pompeiians into real Romans and actually worked. Pompeii was soon accustomed to Roman ways, and launched Pompeii into a new style and once again achieved fame as a Roman town.
1st AD – In this era, wealth was concentrated into luxury industries such as perfume as the town was stable once more and products such as perfume ere made and exported across the Empire.
I think Pompeii was seen as a Roman town because the town was publicised as a Roman town especially during its prime years in trading. This may account for this prejudice of viewing Pompeii like this and proves that Pompeii owes much to other civilisations and not just Rome. Another reason may be that most of the Pompeii remains may was actually Roman so this may give an impression of Pompeii as a Roman-dominant town but it really was multicultural.
I think the Romans made more of an impact on the town by introducing its culture as well as its knowledge and power that helped Pompeii to high acclaim. The only other civilisation were the Greeks who were superseded by the Romans who improvised on Greek improvements such as temples, trade and defence (wall).
I think Pompeii positively owes much to other civilisations even though the Romans overshadowed the developments of other civilisations due to their power and knowledge of utilising the town and its ability to come across as a Roman town in its prime.
