Forget the frescoes and the mosaics, NOVA’s “Pompeii’s Secret Underworld,” airing Wednesday, February 19th, excavates a far less glamorous side of the ancient Roman city. This episode flips the script on the popular image of Pompeii as a sophisticated metropolis, revealing a city grappling with extreme social inequalities, widespread poverty, and a reliance on enslaved labor.
The episode draws upon recent archaeological findings, including newly unearthed graffiti, human remains, and everyday artifacts, to construct a more nuanced portrait of life in Pompeii before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. Far from a picture of prosperity, “Pompeii’s Secret Underworld” depicts a society riddled with social unrest, political infighting, and even instances of violent riots.
The documentary emphasizes the stark contrast between the opulent lifestyles of the wealthy elite and the squalid conditions endured by the vast majority of the population. The sheer scale of the wealth disparity, highlighted by the lavish villas juxtaposed against the cramped living quarters of the poor, paints a vivid picture of social stratification. This exploration of everyday life, including the struggles of ordinary citizens, adds a human dimension to the historical narrative.
While the volcanic eruption undoubtedly sealed Pompeii’s fate, “Pompeii’s Secret Underworld” argues that social and political tensions were already fracturing the city’s foundations long before the eruption. The episode serves as a valuable reminder that even societies perceived as advanced are often built upon foundations of inequality and injustice.
“NOVA” airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on PBS.
