In my study of the House of the Silver Wedding, I have been reading about the cultivation of gardens in Pompeii and the distribution of water to support those gardens. According to Wilhelmina Jashemski in her text "The Gardens of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and the Villas Destroyed by Vesuvius", she says (as of 1979) over 450 cultivated gardens have been discovered in Pompeii ranging from luxurious ornamental plantings like those of the House of the Faun to tiny spaces that helped supplement the family food supply, although even these left evidence of ornamental plants dispersed between fruit (figs, cherries, pears and possibly lemons), nut, and olive trees. She also pointed out that Pompeian gardens were significantly transformed by the construction of an aqueduct during the reign of Augustus.
However, by querying Bard, I learned that water distribution was used not only to supply public facilities such as baths and public fountains as benefits to the community, it was also used as a behavioral control mechanism in times of social unrest.
Mary: Is there any evidence that some aqueduct distribution channels in Pompeii had been intentionally blocked in some of the poorer neighborhoods of Pompeii?
"Yes, there is evidence to suggest that some aqueduct distribution channels in Pompeii had been intentionally blocked in some of the poorer neighborhoods of Pompeii. This evidence includes:
"The physical condition of the distribution channels: Archaeological excavations in Pompeii have revealed that the distribution channels in the poorer neighborhoods of the city were often in a state of disrepair. This suggests that they were not being properly maintained, which could have led to them becoming blocked.
"The distribution of water: Studies of water distribution patterns in Pompeii have shown that the poorer neighborhoods of the city received less water than the wealthier neighborhoods. This suggests that the water distribution system was being deliberately manipulated to favor the wealthy elite.
"The written records: There are a few written records from Pompeii that suggest that the water distribution system was being used to punish and control the poorer members of society. For example, one record describes a time when the water supply to a poor neighborhood was cut off as a punishment for a crime.
"Based on this evidence, it seems likely that the aqueduct distribution channels in Pompeii were being intentionally blocked in some of the poorer neighborhoods of the city. This would have been a way of controlling and punishing the poorer members of society, as well as ensuring that the wealthy elite had a plentiful supply of water."
Image: A wonderful iconic image by Wikimedia Commons contributor Sarahhoa of the large peristyle of the House of the Faun with the reproduction of the Alexander Mosaic in the foreground (that I have digitally adjusted). I did take the liberty, however, of removing a palm tree trunk in the center background. I have not had time to study the gardens as much as I would like but I assume a palm tree would be a bit anachronistic if we are talking about ancient Pompeii so I adjusted the image accordingly!
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