1832 Pompeii

This elegant map of Pompeii was published in 1832 by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. This society was founded by British statesman (Lord Chancellor) Henry Broughman for the purpose of making educational materials available to those of the rapidly expanding reading public who had limited financial means and for those who preferred self-education. The ancient legendary Italian city of Pompeii, buried for millennia following the fateful eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, is the subject of this map. The city remained buried under ash until its modern era discovery in 1748. While excavations at the time of the making of the map were limited, a close study of the map reveals a surprisingly abundant of information. The map shows the ancient walled city, and great pains were taken to label buildings. A list was compiled of fifty-two known private residences, tombs, temples and public buildings including a basilica; to name a few, the Villa of Julia Felix, the Forum, the Grand Th