Rediscovery, Misidentification, and Cultural Significance of the Location of Pompeii

Early Excavations and Misidentifications of the location of Pompeii

Initial Excavations in 1748

The first official excavations of Pompeii began in 1748, albeit under the mistaken belief that they were uncovering the ancient city of Stabiae. This confusion endured for quite some time, despite the fact that the buried cities, including Pompeii, remained alive in collective memory. This misidentification reflects a significant disconnect between discovery and historical knowledge.

Correct Marking on the Peutinger Table

The Peutinger Table, a 12th-century map rooted in ancient Roman topography, correctly marks the location of Pompeii, as well as other buried towns like Stabiae, Oplontis, and Herculaneum.

However, it is improbable that this map reflects the contemporary geographical knowledge of the medieval period, as it was based on a late antique map, which in turn drew from even earlier sources, some predating the catastrophic eruption.

This historical chart underscores the continuity of geographical insights from antiquity, standing as a beacon amidst the confusion of early excavations.

Cartographical Errors and Corrections

Medieval and Renaissance Maps

During the medieval period, maps often bore only a vague resemblance to reality, with topographical knowledge becoming rather patchy. This era’s charts frequently misplaced significant locations, such as Pompeii, reflecting the disintegration of topographical exactitude.

Notable Maps and Their Inaccuracies

Girolamo Mocetto’s 1514 bird’s-eye view of the Bay of Naples and the surrounding area managed to correctly identify the location of Pompeii and the location of Herculaneum , although it mistakenly placed Stabiae at Torre Annunziata.

Meanwhile, Christophorus Cellarius’ 1721 map, included in an edition of Pliny’s Letters produced in Leipzig, marked Pompeii, acknowledging its historical significance despite lingering inaccuracies regarding its precise location.

Figures in Historical Cartography

Girolamo Mocetto

Girolamo Mocetto was an Italian Renaissance artist known for his work as a painter and engraver. Active in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, Mocetto’s contributions spanned both religious and secular subjects.

His 1514 bird’s-eye view of the Bay of Naples is particularly notable for its attempt to accurately depict the locations of ancient cities, including Herculaneum and Pompeii.

Despite its inaccuracies, such as misplacing Stabiae, this map represents a significant effort in the field of historical cartography, highlighting the challenges and complexities faced by early modern mapmakers in reconstructing the ancient world. Mocetto’s work serves as an important reference point in understanding the evolution of cartographical precision during the Renaissance.

Christophorus Cellarius

Christophorus Cellarius, also known as Christoph Keller, was a prominent German scholar and historian in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Born in 1638 and educated in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, Cellarius made substantial contributions to the study of geography and classical literature.

His 1721 map, included in an edition of Pliny’s Letters, is a testament to his scholarly rigor and dedication to the historical accuracy of antiquity. While his map acknowledged the historical significance of Pompeii, it reflects the persistent challenges and limitations in pinpointing ancient sites with absolute precision.

Cellarius’s work underscores the enduring interest in the classical world and the ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between ancient texts and geographical knowledge.

Location of Pompeii in Literature

Sannazaro’s Arcadia and Pompeii

In the early 16th century, Jacopo Sannazaro, a distinguished Neapolitan poet, crafted a literary masterpiece that intertwined Pompeii with a locally inspired vision of Arcadia. His renowned work, Arcadia, composed in two phases and published in 1504, vividly captures this connection.

In ‘Prosa 12’, the narrator experiences a dream, awakens, and embarks on a guided walk with a local nymph who introduces him to various sights. During this journey, they glimpse Pompeii:

“But this town which we see in front of us is without doubt a city once famous in your country, called Pompeii, which was irrigated by the waters of the chilly Sarno. It was swallowed up by a sudden earthquake … and now with these words we were very close to the city, which she was talking about, of which we could see the towers and houses, the theatres and the temples as if they were intact.”

Sannazaro’s poetic vision invites readers to ponder whether it was based on reality. Known for his intimate knowledge of local antiquities, Sannazaro served as an official guide to the Phlegraean Fields and accompanied visitors such as the French ambassador around the ruins in December 1489.

His sonnet Rime Disperse V was inspired by the ruins of Cumae, another testament to his engagement with ancient sites.

Sannazaro’s Other Works

Sannazaro’s literary accomplishments extend beyond Arcadia. His body of work includes a rich array of poetry and prose, reflecting his deep erudition and classical inspiration. Notably, in the fourth Piscatory Eclogue, dedicated to King Ferdinand I, the mythological figure of Proteus sings the history of the Bay of Naples.

This narrative begins with the war of giants and gods, features the foundation and destruction of Herculaneum and Pompeii, and mentions famed sites further north such as Cumae, the Sibyl’s cave, and Lake Avernus, ultimately culminating in contemporary Naples.

Jacopo Sannazaro

Born in Naples in 1458, Jacopo Sannazaro was a prominent Italian poet and humanist of the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He is best known for Arcadia, a pastoral romance that intricately weaves prose and verse to depict bucolic life and human emotion.

His profound connection to the ancient world and reverence for antiquity are evident in his extensive references to historical and geographical locations, such as Pompeii. Through his vivid and evocative descriptions, Sannazaro sought to resurrect these ancient sites, breathing life into their ruins.

His literary contributions have not only enriched Italian literature but also provided valuable insights into the cultural and historical milieu of the Renaissance. Sannazaro aimed to glorify Naples by highlighting its ancient glories, implicitly elevating its historical significance above that of Spain, which controlled the Neapolitan kingdom at the time.

While it remains speculative whether parts of Pompeii were emerging from the countryside during his lifetime, Sannazaro’s work continues to inspire curiosity and admiration for the ancient city’s storied past.

Cultural Significance of Pompeii in Renaissance Art and Literature

Pompeii was not merely a relic to be explored but a muse that ensnared the imaginations of those who dwelled within the Renaissance era. It was both a lament of loss and a celebration of past splendors—a duality embraced within the era’s creative spirit.

Broader Influence on Renaissance Culture

The aura of Pompeii extended its tendrils far beyond the literary domain, permeating artistic expressions which further cemented Pompeii’s exaltation as a symbol of classical heritage.

Gradual Correction of Misidentifications

Scholarly Contributions

The meticulous scrutiny of Lucas Holstenius and contemporaries laid the groundwork for dismantling prevailing fallacies about Pompeii’s location, sowing seeds of accuracy that would only later blossom into a collective acknowledgment.

Persistence of Misidentifications

The staunch belief in alternative localities for Pompeii, fortified by misinterpretations such as the “POMPEI” inscription, exemplifies the sturdiness of errant consensus—a fortress that required time and scholarly fortitude to dismantle.

Official Recognition

However, the relentless march of evidence, paired with the academic rigors of debate, ultimately heralded the rightful recognition of Pompeii. The once-muddled picture narrowed into sharp clarity, a triumph for diligent exploration and historical integrity.

Conclusion

The journey to accurately uncover Pompeii involved a cycle of misidentifications and confirmations, highlighting the importance of persistent re-examination and dedication to historical accuracy. This process not only demystified an ancient era but also showcased how culture, literature, and history interconnect to enrich our understanding of human history.