The purposely placed stones that crossed the roads at various intervals provided stepping stones for citizens to cross the road when rains were heavy. In addition to that use, the stones served as markers to identify directionality of the roadway. In this particular photo, the cart tracks are more visible than in other locations. Although the roads, could have been considered ‘paved’ and therefore a likely improvement over a mud pathway, it is definitely hard for me to imagine how difficult and rough it might be for any cart or chariot moving along these roadways.
The threshold of the door openings were of various types. In the instance of the threshold shown below, the groove would indicate that this was likely the doorway to a shop which had a sliding wooden door or gateway to close its opening.
Although it was easy to see the ruins from the main roadways, full access was blocked by various forms of fences and gates. Peeking through those barriers often provided a glimpse back on the past where better times provided for spacious courtyards, mosaic pathways and marble entryways.
A symbol in the roadway pointed the way to the brothels but our group didn’t have time to stand in the long queues to see the artwork on the walls of the brothels so we headed onward toward Pompeii’s main Forum.
The Main Forum of ancient Pompeii would have served as a meeting area as well as the administrative and religious center of the community. It is rectangular in shape (124 ft x 482 ft) and bordered by various public, administrative and religious buildings. Although the roof structures were no longer present, the many varieties of pillars that had given structure tot he porticoes were still standing and provided excellent examples of the differences in construction and design.
