Welcome to Pompeii: In the Shadow of the
Volcano!
In this exhibition, you will study objects and
stories that depict daily life in Pompeii. The
objects are grouped into four important areas:
1. 1,936 Years Ago: Life, Death, and
Destruction
2. Out of the Ashes: Mount Vesuvius and
the City of Pompeii
3. The Living City: Public and Private Life
4. Death and Destruction: Science of Disaster and an Eyewitness Account
5. The Human Toll: Archaeology and the Body Casts
You may use any objects you wish for most of the questions on this Gallery Trail, but remember that you are
sharing the space with many other people. When you are sitting down to work on your answers to the
questions, try to choose areas that are out of the way of people moving through the exhibition or looking at the
objects.
You may work in small groups on the questions and the activities. As you work, remember the
Museum Guidelines:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Walk. Do not run.
Use indoor voices.
Stay with your chaperone.
Make way for ROM educators if they need a space for a lesson.
Don't touch objects. Only touch objects that are clearly marked as safe to touch.
Don’t rush. Focus your time on the objects that capture your interest and complete what you can within
the time you have.
7. Tidy up after using any of the interactive activity stations.
8. Ask questions and have fun!
Please note that only pencils may be used to complete this Gallery Trail while in
the exhibition. Pens are not permitted for the safety of the objects.
Out of the Ashes
Q: With your group, examine the model of Pompeii and the information about volcanoes to learn how the
eruption of Mount Vesuvius happened (Hint: lava was not the problem in Pompeii). Keep this in mind in
order to answer upcoming questions!
The Living City
Q: The frescoes in Pompeii are a good way to help us understand what life was like in the city.
● Choose one fresco on display, and explain what it tells you about life in Pompeii.
● Use a photo or a sketch to help with your explanation.
Q: In the style of a Pompeii fresco, design your own picture that conveys something about your daily life.
Back in class: create a good copy of your fresco to decorate your classroom.
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Q: There are hands-on stations throughout the exhibition that let you dress as a citizen or as a gladiator, or
conduct your business in the marketplace. These stations are marked on the map with a star.
● Together with your group, learn about how each of these hands-on stations reflects life in Pompeii,
and use them to help you create a tableau that fits the title “A Day in the Life of Pompeii.”
● Take a picture of your tableau. Your teacher can share the photo to @ROMLearning #ROMpeii.
Note: When you’re planning out your tableau with your group, be sure to use a space that’s out of the way.
Don’t take up the activity station until you’re ready to present your finished tableau!
Q: There are many aspects of daily life in Pompeii that are very similar to life today, including sports, travel,
shopping, religion, personal appearance, cooking, commerce, and entertainment.
Pick two aspects of daily life that your group wants to learn more about. For each one, compare and
contrast the Pompeian version to the version you’re familiar with today.
Aspect of daily life
Similarities to today
Differences from today
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Out of the Ashes / Death and Destruction
Q: Though many people escaped the city, the unfortunate fate of the citizens left behind in Pompeii might have
been different if they had understood volcanic eruptions the way we understand them today.
● Use the information here and the information you learned earlier in the exhibition to explain what
geologic processes caused Mount Vesuvius to erupt, and what happened during that eruption. Draw
a diagram to help with your explanation.
The Human Toll
Q: Imagine you were someone living in the last days of Pompeii. Perhaps you were an adult citizen, or a
gladiator, or a child, or even a family pet.
● Using what you have learned about daily life in Pompeii, tell the story of your final days. You decide
whether your character escapes the city, or whether they are there until the very end.
● You can use the online Pompeii Quiz to help generate ideas for your story:
http://www.rom.on.ca/en/PompeiiQuiz
● Begin planning your story here, and finish it back in class.
● Add a cover or illustrations to your final copy.
Things to think about:
● What is your character’s daily life like?
● What do they wear?
● Where do they live?
● Who lives with them?
● What warnings did they have about the eruption?
● Did your character pay attention to the warnings?
● What did the eruption look like to your character?
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