POMPEII: Life in a Roman Town 79CE

Through Yesterday.sg, I got to know about this POMPEII exhibition and thought it was rather interesting.  Thus, I decided to make a trip to the National Museum on the last day of the exhibition although I would be going there on my own as hubby was on duty.

I had my breakfast at KFC on the Sunday morning before going to the National Museum.  I tried the A.M. Riser meal which consists of a chicken burger and a cup of tea ($3).

I took the Circle Line to Bras Basah to get to the museum.

At Paya Lebar Interchange.

Travelling down towards the Circle Line.

 Bras Basah MRT Station.

 Nice shadows throwing against the wall

 Exit from the Li Ka Shing Library at SMU

National Museum is just across the road! :)

Extract from National Museum of Singapore website on POMPEII:

In 79CE, the cosmopolitan city of Pompeii and much of its surrounding area were buried under volcanic ash and pumice following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in southern Italy. It was not until the mid-18th century that this city was slowly revealed to the world through archaeological excavations. Pompeii was a bustling and prosperous Roman town with around 20,000 inhabitants at the time of its destruction. Its strategic location, mild climate and fertile soil provided the impetus to the productive agricultural industry as well as the thriving fishing and shipping industries.

As Pompeii’s economy flourished, the city also grew culturally vibrant and people became more affluent. Over 270 objects from the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei (SANP), including jewels, frescoes, sculptures and household items, will be on display to reconstruct Pompeii. Highlights include body casts of eight victims, who were ‘immortalised’ during their last moments when Mount Vesuvius erupted, gladiators’ gear, a mosaic fountain and frescoes from the House of the Golden Bracelet.

The following part of the post contains photos of body casts of the victims. Do not scroll down if you don't feel comfortable looking at these photos.

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At the Entrance....

We got to watch a 3D animation recreating the different times of the day of the eruption, and showed how the volcanic activity had affected the whole town on that fateful day.

A gladiator's headgear

Graffiti from Pompeii on Gradiators

Goddess of Venus

Marble statue of a Muse

This one is the muse of lyrics poetry and singing

Marble Statue of Venus - The Goddess of Love
This statue stood in the gardens of a grand villa in pompeii.

Marble works

Marble fountain of an eagle with a serpent

Fresco depicting a young medallion with a young and old woman, found in the House of the Golden Bracelet, Pompeii.

This type of painting style was popular at the time of eruption, with a frame creating a window-like effect.  The identities of the two women were unknown.  Did you realize this is the painting that is used for the publicity banner?

A mosaic fountain

Excavating work in progress.  Can you see a buried man at the bottom left?

We got to bring home 1 roll of cardboard to make this model of the gladiator helmet.

 The following photo "The Living Sculpture" has nothing to do with the exhibition.  Just feel that if any of them were to jump up and gave me a scare, I think I would freak out!  :D