Ancient Greek and Roman Art and Architecture

Todi was founded by the Umbri, in the 8th-7th century BC. The settlement on top of a mountain was named "Tutere". It was conquered by the Romans in 217 BC and changed the name to Tuder. Christianity reached Todi early and already in the 2nd century a bishop resided here. The Ostrogoths took the town after a siege and in 759 the Longobards followed. After negotiations between Pope Paul I and Desiderius, last King of the Lombards and Charlemagne´s father in law, Todi became incorporated into the Duchy of Rome. After Charlemagne had the marriage annulled, he attacked and defeated Desiderius, assumed the title King of the Lombards (774) and disposed of his ex-father in law, who lived from then on in the abbey of Corbie. The Duomo di Todi (aka "Concattedrale della Santissima Annunziata") stands on the site of a Roman temple in the former forum. The earlier church here was almost completely destroyed by a fire in 1190. The rebuilt cathedral was finished in the 14th century, but the structure has been refurbished and altered several times since then. Located in the large crypt below apse and nave is a museum. Here is a copy of the "Marte di Todi" ("Mars of Todi"). The original, found in Todi in 1835, is held by the "Museo gregoriano etrusco" in Vatican. The bronze warrior, dating from the late 5th or early 4th century BC, was a votive offering. An Etruscian inscriptions tells "Ahal Trutitis dunum dede" - "Ahal Trutitis gave (this as a) gift". Seen here is only the face.

Pompeii, a thriving Roman city of 8,000 to 10,000 people, was hit by an earthquake in 62, causing extensive damage. However, the city recovered, but the earthquake may have been caused by the sagging of a hearth roof clod that had come loose on the volcano's vent plug. In the fall of 79 large amounts of pumice and ash were thrown out. Some residents left the city for fear of an eruption from the volcano. Vesuvius erupted at the end of November. The eruption ejected large amounts of ash, lava and gases into the atmosphere. This cloud was carried by the wind across the land to Pompeii. Shortly after the eruption began, pumice began to rain. Underneath the pumice dust were larger pieces that hit the ground at high speed. This pumice stone has caused countless roofs to collapse, doors to be blocked, and townspeople to be imprisoned. Pompeii was buried under a layer of volcanic ash and pumice up to 25 meters thick for over 1500 years. Pompeii has been systematically excavated since about 1750. About two thirds of the city have now been uncovered

Pompeii, a thriving Roman city of 8,000 to 10,000 people, was hit by an earthquake in 62, causing extensive damage. However, the city recovered, but the earthquake may have been caused by the sagging of a hearth roof clod that had come loose on the volcano's vent plug. In the fall of 79 large amounts of pumice and ash were thrown out. Some residents left the city for fear of an eruption from the volcano. Vesuvius erupted at the end of November. The eruption ejected large amounts of ash, lava and gases into the atmosphere. This cloud was carried by the wind across the land to Pompeii. Shortly after the eruption began, pumice began to rain. Underneath the pumice dust were larger pieces that hit the ground at high speed. This pumice stone has caused countless roofs to collapse, doors to be blocked, and townspeople to be imprisoned. Pompeii was buried under a layer of volcanic ash and pumice up to 25 meters thick for over 1500 years. Pompeii has been systematically excavated since about 1750. About two thirds of the city have now been uncovered

Pompeii, a thriving Roman city of 8,000 to 10,000 people, was hit by an earthquake in 62, causing extensive damage. However, the city recovered, but the earthquake may have been caused by the sagging of a hearth roof clod that had come loose on the volcano's vent plug. In the fall of 79 large amounts of pumice and ash were thrown out. Some residents left the city for fear of an eruption from the volcano. Vesuvius erupted at the end of November. The eruption ejected large amounts of ash, lava and gases into the atmosphere. This cloud was carried by the wind across the land to Pompeii. Shortly after the eruption began, pumice began to rain. Underneath the pumice dust were larger pieces that hit the ground at high speed. This pumice stone has caused countless roofs to collapse, doors to be blocked, and townspeople to be imprisoned. Pompeii was buried under a layer of volcanic ash and pumice up to 25 meters thick for over 1500 years. Pompeii has been systematically excavated since about 1750. About two thirds of the city have now been uncovered

Pompeii, a thriving Roman city of 8,000 to 10,000 people, was hit by an earthquake in 62, causing extensive damage. However, the city recovered, but the earthquake may have been caused by the sagging of a hearth roof clod that had come loose on the volcano's vent plug. In the fall of 79 large amounts of pumice and ash were thrown out. Some residents left the city for fear of an eruption from the volcano. Vesuvius erupted at the end of November. The eruption ejected large amounts of ash, lava and gases into the atmosphere. This cloud was carried by the wind across the land to Pompeii. Shortly after the eruption began, pumice began to rain. Underneath the pumice dust were larger pieces that hit the ground at high speed. This pumice stone has caused countless roofs to collapse, doors to be blocked, and townspeople to be imprisoned. Pompeii was buried under a layer of volcanic ash and pumice up to 25 meters thick for over 1500 years. Pompeii has been systematically excavated since about 1750. About two thirds of the city have now been uncovered

Pompeii, a thriving Roman city of 8,000 to 10,000 people, was hit by an earthquake in 62, causing extensive damage. However, the city recovered, but the earthquake may have been caused by the sagging of a hearth roof clod that had come loose on the volcano's vent plug. In the fall of 79 large amounts of pumice and ash were thrown out. Some residents left the city for fear of an eruption from the volcano. Vesuvius erupted at the end of November. The eruption ejected large amounts of ash, lava and gases into the atmosphere. This cloud was carried by the wind across the land to Pompeii. Shortly after the eruption began, pumice began to rain. Underneath the pumice dust were larger pieces that hit the ground at high speed. This pumice stone has caused countless roofs to collapse, doors to be blocked, and townspeople to be imprisoned. Pompeii was buried under a layer of volcanic ash and pumice up to 25 meters thick for over 1500 years. Pompeii has been systematically excavated since about 1750. About two thirds of the city have now been uncovered

Pompeii, a thriving Roman city of 8,000 to 10,000 people, was hit by an earthquake in 62, causing extensive damage. However, the city recovered, but the earthquake may have been caused by the sagging of a hearth roof clod that had come loose on the volcano's vent plug. In the fall of 79 large amounts of pumice and ash were thrown out. Some residents left the city for fear of an eruption from the volcano. Vesuvius erupted at the end of November. The eruption ejected large amounts of ash, lava and gases into the atmosphere. This cloud was carried by the wind across the land to Pompeii. Shortly after the eruption began, pumice began to rain. Underneath the pumice dust were larger pieces that hit the ground at high speed. This pumice stone has caused countless roofs to collapse, doors to be blocked, and townspeople to be imprisoned. Pompeii was buried under a layer of volcanic ash and pumice up to 25 meters thick for over 1500 years. Pompeii has been systematically excavated since about 1750. About two thirds of the city have now been uncovered

Pompeii, a thriving Roman city of 8,000 to 10,000 people, was hit by an earthquake in 62, causing extensive damage. However, the city recovered, but the earthquake may have been caused by the sagging of a hearth roof clod that had come loose on the volcano's vent plug. In the fall of 79 large amounts of pumice and ash were thrown out. Some residents left the city for fear of an eruption from the volcano. Vesuvius erupted at the end of November. The eruption ejected large amounts of ash, lava and gases into the atmosphere. This cloud was carried by the wind across the land to Pompeii. Shortly after the eruption began, pumice began to rain. Underneath the pumice dust were larger pieces that hit the ground at high speed. This pumice stone has caused countless roofs to collapse, doors to be blocked, and townspeople to be imprisoned. Pompeii was buried under a layer of volcanic ash and pumice up to 25 meters thick for over 1500 years. Pompeii has been systematically excavated since about 1750. About two thirds of the city have now been uncovered

Pompeii, a thriving Roman city of 8,000 to 10,000 people, was hit by an earthquake in 62, causing extensive damage. However, the city recovered, but the earthquake may have been caused by the sagging of a hearth roof clod that had come loose on the volcano's vent plug. In the fall of 79 large amounts of pumice and ash were thrown out. Some residents left the city for fear of an eruption from the volcano. Vesuvius erupted at the end of November. The eruption ejected large amounts of ash, lava and gases into the atmosphere. This cloud was carried by the wind across the land to Pompeii. Shortly after the eruption began, pumice began to rain. Underneath the pumice dust were larger pieces that hit the ground at high speed. This pumice stone has caused countless roofs to collapse, doors to be blocked, and townspeople to be imprisoned. Pompeii was buried under a layer of volcanic ash and pumice up to 25 meters thick for over 1500 years. Pompeii has been systematically excavated since about 1750. About two thirds of the city have now been uncovered

Pompeii, a thriving Roman city of 8,000 to 10,000 people, was hit by an earthquake in 62, causing extensive damage. However, the city recovered, but the earthquake may have been caused by the sagging of a hearth roof clod that had come loose on the volcano's vent plug. In the fall of 79 large amounts of pumice and ash were thrown out. Some residents left the city for fear of an eruption from the volcano. Vesuvius erupted at the end of November. The eruption ejected large amounts of ash, lava and gases into the atmosphere. This cloud was carried by the wind across the land to Pompeii. Shortly after the eruption began, pumice began to rain. Underneath the pumice dust were larger pieces that hit the ground at high speed. This pumice stone has caused countless roofs to collapse, doors to be blocked, and townspeople to be imprisoned. Pompeii was buried under a layer of volcanic ash and pumice up to 25 meters thick for over 1500 years. Pompeii has been systematically excavated since about 1750. About two thirds of the city have now been uncovered

Pompeii, a thriving Roman city of 8,000 to 10,000 people, was hit by an earthquake in 62, causing extensive damage. However, the city recovered, but the earthquake may have been caused by the sagging of a hearth roof clod that had come loose on the volcano's vent plug. In the fall of 79 large amounts of pumice and ash were thrown out. Some residents left the city for fear of an eruption from the volcano. Vesuvius erupted at the end of November. The eruption ejected large amounts of ash, lava and gases into the atmosphere. This cloud was carried by the wind across the land to Pompeii. Shortly after the eruption began, pumice began to rain. Underneath the pumice dust were larger pieces that hit the ground at high speed. This pumice stone has caused countless roofs to collapse, doors to be blocked, and townspeople to be imprisoned. Pompeii was buried under a layer of volcanic ash and pumice up to 25 meters thick for over 1500 years. Pompeii has been systematically excavated since about 1750. About two thirds of the city have now been uncovered

Pompeii, a thriving Roman city of 8,000 to 10,000 people, was hit by an earthquake in 62, causing extensive damage. However, the city recovered, but the earthquake may have been caused by the sagging of a hearth roof clod that had come loose on the volcano's vent plug. In the fall of 79 large amounts of pumice and ash were thrown out. Some residents left the city for fear of an eruption from the volcano. Vesuvius erupted at the end of November. The eruption ejected large amounts of ash, lava and gases into the atmosphere. This cloud was carried by the wind across the land to Pompeii. Shortly after the eruption began, pumice began to rain. Underneath the pumice dust were larger pieces that hit the ground at high speed. This pumice stone has caused countless roofs to collapse, doors to be blocked, and townspeople to be imprisoned. Pompeii was buried under a layer of volcanic ash and pumice up to 25 meters thick for over 1500 years. Pompeii has been systematically excavated since about 1750. About two thirds of the city have now been uncovered

The city was founded under the name of Poseidonia around 600 BC. founded by Greeks and was part of "Magna Graecia". The extensive trade led to prosperity which spread in the 5th and 6th centuries BC. expressed in the construction of large temples. Around 270 BC the city became a Latin colonia under the name of Paestum. During the Roman Empire, Paestum lost prosperity and importance. Around 500 AD the area began to silt up and become swampy, malaria spread, and the last inhabitants left the place. The temple complex turned into a kind of jungle, and the place was forgotten. After being destroyed by the Saracens and by the Normans, Paestum was abandoned. An early map showed the ruins in 1732. The rediscovery happened parallel to Pompeii and Herculaneum. An expedition into the enchanted swamp landscape was soon part of the program for the so-called Grand Tour. The ancient city was surrounded by defensive walls. The area is clear of modern buildings and has been largely so, since the Middle Ages. Although much stone has been stripped from the site, large numbers of buildings remain detectable by their footings or the lower parts of their walls. Adjacent to the archaeological park is the "Museo archeologico nazionale di Paestum" where numerous finds uncovered during the excavations of the city and the necropolis are exhibited. Including frescoes that once adorned tombs, mainly belonging to the Lucanian period (5th century BC.).

The city was founded under the name of Poseidonia around 600 BC. founded by Greeks and was part of "Magna Graecia". The extensive trade led to prosperity which spread in the 5th and 6th centuries BC. expressed in the construction of large temples. Around 270 BC the city became a Latin colonia under the name of Paestum. During the Roman Empire, Paestum lost prosperity and importance. Around 500 AD the area began to silt up and become swampy, malaria spread, and the last inhabitants left the place. The temple complex turned into a kind of jungle, and the place was forgotten. After being destroyed by the Saracens and by the Normans, Paestum was abandoned. An early map showed the ruins in 1732. The rediscovery happened parallel to Pompeii and Herculaneum. An expedition into the enchanted swamp landscape was soon part of the program for the so-called Grand Tour. The ancient city was surrounded by defensive walls. The area is clear of modern buildings and has been largely so, since the Middle Ages. Although much stone has been stripped from the site, large numbers of buildings remain detectable by their footings or the lower parts of their walls. Adjacent to the archaeological park is the "Museo archeologico nazionale di Paestum" where numerous finds uncovered during the excavations of the city and the necropolis are exhibited. Including frescoes that once adorned tombs, mainly belonging to the Lucanian period (5th century BC). A detail of the "Tomba del Tuffatore" (Tomb of the Diver).

The city was founded under the name of Poseidonia around 600 BC. founded by Greeks and was part of "Magna Graecia". The extensive trade led to prosperity which spread in the 5th and 6th centuries BC. expressed in the construction of large temples. Around 270 BC the city became a Latin colonia under the name of Paestum. During the Roman Empire, Paestum lost prosperity and importance. Around 500 AD the area began to silt up and become swampy, malaria spread, and the last inhabitants left the place. The temple complex turned into a kind of jungle, and the place was forgotten. After being destroyed by the Saracens and by the Normans, Paestum was abandoned. An early map showed the ruins in 1732. The rediscovery happened parallel to Pompeii and Herculaneum. An expedition into the enchanted swamp landscape was soon part of the program for the so-called Grand Tour. The ancient city was surrounded by defensive walls. The area is clear of modern buildings and has been largely so, since the Middle Ages. Although much stone has been stripped from the site, large numbers of buildings remain detectable by their footings or the lower parts of their walls. Adjacent to the archaeological park is the "Museo archeologico nazionale di Paestum" where numerous finds uncovered during the excavations of the city and the necropolis are exhibited. Including frescoes that once adorned tombs, mainly belonging to the Lucanian period (5th century BC). A detail of the "Tomba del Tuffatore" (Tomb of the Diver). The burial chamber, dated around 480/470 BC, was discovered in the late 1960s. Seen is a lone diver leaping into a pool. This figure is unique to this tomb, no other ancient Mediterranean artworks have imagery comparable to the diver.

"Spoletium" was a Roman colony from 241BC on. It must have been a flourishing place later. As soon as the tourist is back to daylight from the underground, he will find the Roman theater. Where the stage once was is the apse of St. Agatha, a former church that by now houses the Archaeological Museum.

The Romans discovered thermal water here and erected temples and an imposing bathhouse. After Germanic had taken over the Roman buildings fell into disrepair and served as a welcome stone supplier for new buildings. Even Margrave Karl Friedrich von Baden had stones removed from the ruins the renovation of his local office, but he rediscovered the Roman bath and stopped the misuse. This slowly started the career of Badenweiler as a spa. In 1875 the first public "marble bath" was built and balneological therapies were offered. Doctors were enthusiastic about the beneficial effects of a cure here and sent their patients here to convalesce. Badenweiler developed into a glamorous health resort, that attracted international visitors. When the Romans conquered this region about 70 AD, they brought with them their custom of bathing. Many of the thermal springs that had been used by the Celts became Roman spas. The bath in Badenweiler was constructed in several phases. In the second half of the first century AD, a small building housing two pools were erected. This was later followed by a reception area, changing facilities, the Roman equivalent of a sauna, with two cold pools, and stone terraces. The ruin of the Roman bath in Badenweiler is the best-preserved and (under a glass roof probably) best-protected Roman bath north of the Alps.

The Romans discovered thermal water here and erected temples and an imposing bathhouse. After Germanic had taken over the Roman buildings fell into disrepair and served as a welcome stone supplier for new buildings. Even Margrave Karl Friedrich von Baden had stones removed from the ruins the renovation of his local office, but he rediscovered the Roman bath and stopped the misuse. This slowly started the career of Badenweiler as a spa. In 1875 the first public "marble bath" was built and balneological therapies were offered. Doctors were enthusiastic about the beneficial effects of a cure here and sent their patients here to convalesce. Badenweiler developed into a glamorous health resort, that attracted international visitors. When the Romans conquered this region about 70 AD, they brought with them their custom of bathing. Many of the thermal springs that had been used by the Celts became Roman spas. The bath in Badenweiler was constructed in several phases. In the second half of the first century AD, a small building housing two pools were erected. This was later followed by a reception area, changing facilities, the Roman equivalent of a sauna, with two cold pools, and stone terraces. The ruin of the Roman bath in Badenweiler is the best-preserved and (under a glass roof probably) best-protected Roman bath north of the Alps. Here is one of the large basins.