Unearth the ancient mysteries of Pompeii and its sister city, Herculaneum. Learn about the history of these ancient towns, their influence in the Roman empire, and a detailed account of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. We will see how the Roman Empire dealt with this natural disaster and its impact on the Roman economy. We will explore the discovery of these sites in the 1700s, the and the evolution of the archeological methodology and conservation efforts to preserve the treasures. Finally, we will seek to understand why Pompeii is still relevant to us today.

In our first week, we will discuss the brief history of Pompeii and Herculaneum, including the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Pliny the Elder and the rescue efforts, the aftermath and the Roman efforts to provide relief. In week two, we’ll discuss what daily life was like in Pompeii including examining design and architecture, economy, trad, and social structure. During week three we will look at Pompeii as a “party town” including its entertainment, leisure activities, religious practices, art and culture. We will conclude our four-week course by looking at the Pompeii of today – its discovery and excavation history, archaeological methods and challenges, conservation efforts, and recent discoveries.

Scott Jones is a retired naval officer and businessman with broad experience in national security, foreign relations, and politics. Scott is also a docent at the J. Paul Getty Museum (Getty Villa) where he leads tours in the Greek and Roman Galleries, special exhibitions, Roman architecture, and Roan gardens. He teaches for a few lifelong learning programs in the area.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

This course can be attended online via Zoom or in-person at our Thousand Oaks campus. Note: the final class on October 23 will be online only.