Page 56 - Pompeii n. 12 - The world of money at Pompeii

English version

Close to the gate "of Sarnus" (III,8) a person who had died while trying to
escape from the city towards Nocera was found. During his escape he had
tried to save his "treasure": a large hoard of money (49 denarii and 61 aureii;
inv. 161468-161577), some jewellery, a valuable mirror with an embossed
plate decorated with fishing Cupids and four simple and elegant silver cups.

Via dell'Abbondanza, one of the most important roads in Pompeii passes through the
city from east to west, starting from the Forum and reaching Via dei Teatri. It then
crosses Via di Stabia and continues to the Regiones I and II terminating at the Sarnus
Gate, one of the seven gates that opened into the walled city.
During the first eruption stages of Vesuvius lots of Pompeians tried to get away from
the city, taking their most precious possessions with them: money, jewellery, family silver,
the keys to the house. The hoards found next to the skeletons were usually kept in small
wooden boxes finished in bronze or ivory, in leather or cloth bags, of which the weft is
sometimes still visible on the coins.

HERCOLANEUM, DEPOSITS. Wooden box with coins from suburban area (inv.
3277). ©SSBAPES.

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