A GLIMPSE OF ANCIENT GLITZ: POMPEII

Pompeii, the Birmingham Museum of Art's latest exhibit, opens October 14th with a Junior Patrons Preview Gala this Saturday night, October 13 7-11pm visit http://www.artsbma.org/ for tickets.
Pompeii ruins are located near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania, in the territory of the commune of Pompeii. It was destroyed and buried during a catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius spanning two days. The volcano collapsed higher roof-lines and buried Pompeii under many meters of ash and pumice, and it was lost for nearly 1700 years before its accidental rediscovery in 1748. Since then, its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire.
The exhibit which will open Sunday and go through January 28, 2007 is a collection of ancient artifacts including castes of people buried in the ruins, statues, and jewelry, (yes a little bling). Something that connects us through time is a love for style! Gold necklaces and bracelets were found in the ruins and the snake bracelet pictured left was actually a present from a master to his slave girl. Slavery was not unusual in the ancient world, and was a common practice in the Roman Empire. Female slaves often would be expected to provide sexual services to their masters. Hmmm...bling in exchange for favors. It seems these type practices have been going on forever even before Louis Vuitton and rap lyrics.