The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD froze the city of Pompeii in time. For centuries, thick layers of ash preserved homes, streets, and even the unfortunate residents, leaving behind an incredibly detailed look at ancient Roman life.
This quiz looks at the history, rediscovery, and architecture of this ancient city. You will see questions about famous houses, plaster casting techniques, and everyday artifacts found during the archaeological excavations.
Try our quizzes on historic places and UNESCO architecture, or explore painting techniques next.
Which volcano was responsible for the destruction of Pompeii in 79 AD?
Stromboli
Stromboli
Mount Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius
Mount Etna
Mount Etna
Mount Olympus
Mount Olympus
During which period of history was Pompeii a thriving city?
Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
Greek Empire
Greek Empire
Roman Empire
Roman Empire
What primary substance buried Pompeii, effectively preserving the city for centuries?
A massive tsunami
A massive tsunami
An earthquake exclusively
An earthquake exclusively
Lava flows
Lava flows
Ash and pumice
Ash and pumice
Besides Pompeii, which other major Roman town was famously destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD?
Rome
Rome
Capri
Capri
Herculaneum
Herculaneum
Naples
Naples
Which Roman author and naval commander died attempting to rescue people during the eruption of Vesuvius?
Nero
Nero
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Augustus
Augustus
Pliny the Elder
Pliny the Elder
What is the process used to create the famous plaster casts of the victims discovered in Pompeii?
They were made by pouring plaster into voids left by decomposed bodies
They were made by pouring plaster into voids left by decomposed bodies
They are bronze statues
They are bronze statues
They were carved from solid rock
They were carved from solid rock
They are life-sized marble busts
They are life-sized marble busts
Who was the 19th-century archaeologist responsible for developing the plaster casting technique in Pompeii?
Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones
Giuseppe Fiorelli
Giuseppe Fiorelli
Howard Carter
Howard Carter
Heinrich Schliemann
Heinrich Schliemann
In which year did the systematic excavation of Pompeii officially begin?
1748
1748
1738
1738
1758
1758
1768
1768
What kind of establishment is a ‘thermopolium’ which has been found preserved in Pompeii?
Gladiator training school
Gladiator training school
Luxury spa
Luxury spa
Government office building
Government office building
Fast food restaurant
Fast food restaurant
What form of everyday communication is still clearly visible on the walls of many preserved Pompeian buildings?
Graffiti writing on walls
Graffiti writing on walls
Paper manuscripts
Paper manuscripts
Oil paintings on canvas
Oil paintings on canvas
Digital tablets
Digital tablets
What evidence of Roman daily life related to food preparation was found in Pompeii?
The bakeries were empty
The bakeries were empty
All citizens had evacuated days prior
All citizens had evacuated days prior
There were no kitchen facilities in the city
There were no kitchen facilities in the city
Carbonized loaves of bread were found inside ovens
Carbonized loaves of bread were found inside ovens
What is the typical architectural feature of a Roman ‘domus’ or house found in Pompeii?
A high-rise apartment complex
A high-rise apartment complex
A house centered around an open-air atrium
A house centered around an open-air atrium
A cave-dwelling
A cave-dwelling
A portable tent structure
A portable tent structure
How was the site of Pompeii initially rediscovered during the 16th century?
It was completely accidental while digging an aqueduct
It was completely accidental while digging an aqueduct
Scholars intentionally searched for it based on historical maps
Scholars intentionally searched for it based on historical maps
It was discovered by military surveyors in 1585
It was discovered by military surveyors in 1585
It was found by local farmers digging a well in 1599
It was found by local farmers digging a well in 1599
What was the primary purpose of the ‘Ludus’ discovered in Pompeii?
Roman Senate meetings were held there
Roman Senate meetings were held there
Gladiators trained there
Gladiators trained there
It served as a public bathhouse
It served as a public bathhouse
It was a marketplace for fabrics and textiles
It was a marketplace for fabrics and textiles
What artistic feature is commonly found adorning the floors of wealthy Roman homes in Pompeii?
Sophisticated mosaic tiles on the floors
Sophisticated mosaic tiles on the floors
Elevators for transport
Elevators for transport
Neon lighting systems
Neon lighting systems
Massive steel-supported roofs
Massive steel-supported roofs
What infrastructure system provided water to houses and public fountains in Pompeii?
Sophisticated air conditioning
Sophisticated air conditioning
Centralized electric heating
Centralized electric heating
A public water supply system using lead pipes
A public water supply system using lead pipes
A high-speed rail connection to Rome
A high-speed rail connection to Rome
How are the different areas/blocks of the excavated city of Pompeii organized for study?
Numerical streets (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Numerical streets (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Political districts (New York/Old York)
Political districts (New York/Old York)
Regio I, II, III, etc.
Regio I, II, III, etc.
Alphabetical grids (A, B, C)
Alphabetical grids (A, B, C)
What is the main historical value of the plaster casts for researchers?
They are primarily used to store agricultural tools
They are primarily used to store agricultural tools
They represent the only form of art created in antiquity
They represent the only form of art created in antiquity
They provide insight into final moments and clothing of residents
They provide insight into final moments and clothing of residents
They are religious monuments dedicated to Vesuvius
They are religious monuments dedicated to Vesuvius
Which famous, well-preserved house in Pompeii is renowned for its elaborate frescoes?
The House of the Vettii
The House of the Vettii
The Pantheon of Naples
The Pantheon of Naples
The Roman Forum
The Roman Forum
The Imperial Palace of Rome
The Imperial Palace of Rome
What is the current status of excavations at Pompeii?
It continues to reveal new sections and artifacts today
It continues to reveal new sections and artifacts today
Excavations were completely finalized in 1999
Excavations were completely finalized in 1999
Modern urban development has completely covered the site for future centuries
Modern urban development has completely covered the site for future centuries
Excavations have been banned by the Italian government since 1950
Excavations have been banned by the Italian government since 1950
Which Pompeian house is named after a bronze sculpture found in its atrium?
The House of the Silver Wedding
The House of the Silver Wedding
The House of the Vettii
The House of the Vettii
The House of the Faun
The House of the Faun
The House of the Tragic Poet
The House of the Tragic Poet
What modern technology is currently helping archaeologists map unexcavated parts of Pompeii?
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) systems
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) systems
Acoustic sonar bathymetry
Acoustic sonar bathymetry
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry
Radiocarbon dating
Radiocarbon dating
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