DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61277#0048
26
HERCULANEUM AND POMPEII.
Herculaneum was situated on a point of land,
stretching into the Gulf of Naples, about two
miles distant from that city, near the spot where
the modern towns of Portici and Resina, and the
royal palace by which they are separated, now
stand. The neck of land, on which it was built,
formed a small harbour. Hence the appellation
of Herculi Porticum (the small haven of Hercules),
sometimes given to Herculaneum, and hence too,
in all probability, the modern name of Portici.
Pompeii was situated about fourteen miles from
Naples, on the road to Nocera; and it is said to
owe its name to the triumphal pomp in which
Hercules led his captives along the coast, after
his conquest of Spain. It was probably situated
on an arm of the sea, and served as a port for
the inland towns ; which inlet of the sea has been
filled up by successive eruptions, besides that
which destroyed the town; for the matter which
covered both Herculaneum and Pompeii, when
discovered, bore evident marks that six eruptions
had taken their course over that which laid im-
mediately above them, and was the cause of their
destruction.
This province, more than any other part of
forty-two years before Christ; and therefore that it lasted about
one thousand four hundred years.
HERCULANEUM AND POMPEII.
Herculaneum was situated on a point of land,
stretching into the Gulf of Naples, about two
miles distant from that city, near the spot where
the modern towns of Portici and Resina, and the
royal palace by which they are separated, now
stand. The neck of land, on which it was built,
formed a small harbour. Hence the appellation
of Herculi Porticum (the small haven of Hercules),
sometimes given to Herculaneum, and hence too,
in all probability, the modern name of Portici.
Pompeii was situated about fourteen miles from
Naples, on the road to Nocera; and it is said to
owe its name to the triumphal pomp in which
Hercules led his captives along the coast, after
his conquest of Spain. It was probably situated
on an arm of the sea, and served as a port for
the inland towns ; which inlet of the sea has been
filled up by successive eruptions, besides that
which destroyed the town; for the matter which
covered both Herculaneum and Pompeii, when
discovered, bore evident marks that six eruptions
had taken their course over that which laid im-
mediately above them, and was the cause of their
destruction.
This province, more than any other part of
forty-two years before Christ; and therefore that it lasted about
one thousand four hundred years.