Colonia Cornelia Veneria Pompeianorum.

Pompeii, an ancient city in Campania near the Bay of Naples, was founded around the 7th or 6th century BCE by the Oscans and later influenced by Etruscan and Greek cultures before coming under Roman control in 80 BCE. It became a prosperous Roman city, known for its strategic location on trade routes and fertile lands due to volcanic soil. Pompeii featured a well-planned layout with a grid of streets, public squares, and an advanced water supply system. The city boasted impressive structures, including the Forum, temples (notably the Temple of Jupiter), theaters, baths, and a large amphitheater. Private homes ranged from modest dwellings to lavish villas adorned with frescoes and mosaics. By 79 AD, Pompeii had a vibrant community of around 11,000 to 15,000 residents. However, its fate changed with the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which buried the city under volcanic ash and pumice, preserving it as a time capsule of Roman life until its rediscovery in the 18th century.