The Garden of the Fugitives contains several fossilized
bodies, covered with volcanic ash, still in the posture they had when they
died. The people apparently sought refugee here in the vain hope of escaping
the noxious fumes the killed so many people in the city during the eruption of
Vesuvius.
The Basilica
The Basilica, facing the Forum, was not a church, but rather
contained the law courts of Pompeii.
It was also a place where businessmen met to discuss their affairs and make
deals. Remains of columns can be plainly seen in front of the ruins.
Temple of Fortuna
Augusta
The temple was dedicated to the god of Fortuna Redux and was
also used to worship the Emperor Augustus. Some marble steps and a shell of a
wall are all that remains of what must have once been an impressive structure.
Temple of Apollo
The Temple of Apollo
was the oldest in Pompeii, with columns
dating back to the sixth century BC. A broken colonnade and some steps
surrounding an open, grassy area that was once the interior of the temple is
what remains. There an impressive statue of Apollo, missing only the bow and
arrow it once carried.
Temple of Jupiter
The Temple of Jupiter
occupies the most prominent part of the Forum. It was dedicated not only to
Jupiter, but to the goddesses Juno and Minerva. There are some remains of six
Corinthian columns in the front and a raised platform. The temple is flanked by
two triumphal arches, one dedicated to the Emperor Tiberius, the other to the
Emperor Nero.
Temple of Vespasian
The Temple of Vespasian
was dedicated to the imperial cult of the Emperor Vespasian. A shrine in the
back contains a statue of the Emperor dedicated to the cult. There is also an
altar with a relief of a bull being sacrificed.