Elin Dahal
332 Words
February 2, 79 AD
We started our journey from Rome to Pompeii in the beginning of January. We took the Appian Way up until the city of Capua. We rested there for a few days, but our marching captain told us we had to leave the city. Apparently there was a legion of foot soldiers marching on the Appian Way coming our way. We are told that almost 400 years ago, during the Punic Wars, Capua was used to house over 60,000 soldiers. Now it is occupied by only about 20,000 citizens. We left Capua, and marched on a dirt road that branched off of the Appian Way. It was not an easy change. The Appian Way was well paved and for the most part, smooth. About every ten miles there was a shaded rest stop. Most of the slaves had to wait in the sun, but since I was a champion, they let me sit under the shade, along with the other champions. On this road there were no rest stops, only the occasional tree. We walked for what seemed like months, and then we finally arrived at the town of Herculaneum. Our captain said that we could stay for a week or two, but we had to reach Pompeii before Terminalia, the festival marking the end of the religious year. The festival is to be held on February 23, so that gives us a few weeks.
Herculaneum is in the shadow of a large mountain called Vesuvius. We are told that Pompeii is on the adjacent side. The mountain is usually very serene and actually quite beautiful. However, yesterday I felt the ground shake a little. The locals don’t seem worried about it. They say that it’s been happening more often lately. The soothsayers say that the mountain god is also preparing for Terminalia. This morning I swear I saw what looked like smoke coming from Vesuvius. Everyone says I was dreaming. Still, I worry.
