The Riot between the Pompeians and Nucerians: A Historical Analysis of the Amphitheatre of Pompeii Painting
Paper details:
During excavations in Pompeii a remarkable painting was found (illustrated in detail on
Avenue): it shows a scene set in and around the town’s amphitheatre and is full of fascinating
details. This painting is generally understood by scholars as an illustration of a historical event
mentioned by Tacitus (a Roman historian who lived in the late 1st
-early 2nd century AD):
“About this time [AD 59] there was a serious fight between the inhabitants of two Roman
settlements, Nuceria and Pompeii. It arose out of a trifling incident at a gladiatorial
show….During an exchange of taunts–characteristic of these disorderly country towns–abuse led
to stone-throwing, and then swords were drawn. The people of Pompeii, where the show was
held, came off best. Many wounded and mutilated Nucerians were taken to the capital. Many
bereavements, too, were suffered by parents and children. The emperor instructed the senate to
investigate the affair. The senate passed it to the consuls. When they reported back, the senate
debarred Pompeii from holding any similar gathering for ten years. Illegal associations in the
town were dissolved; and the sponsor of the show and his fellow-instigators of the disorders
were exiled.” Tacitus, Annals (XIV.17)
Question:
Does this painting really represent this event?
Your job is to carefully study the evidence (the painting, the report by Tacitus, and the
archaeological remains of the amphitheatre itself) and come up with your own answer to this
question.
You will need to take special care about expressing why you have reached your conclusion.
There is no right or wrong answer, only strong and weak arguments. You may expand on these
basic materials and instructions by finding some comments by modern researchers on this
painting, and/or by trying to answer the “why does this matter” question.
Length: I am looking for quality, rather than quantity, of writing. I expect that you will need to
write about 5 pages (12pt font, double-spaced) to answer this question in a thorough manner; if
you have written less, consider if you are missing something; if you have written more, consider
if you can cut something out.
Citation: Use the “Notes and Bibliography Style” citation system in the Chicago Manual of
Style:
http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide/citation-guide-1.html
